Marvel Releases Phase Four Lineup
In a video on its YouTube and other social media sites, Marvel gave fans a sneak peek at the next two years in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), as well as teases for upcoming films like the Chloe Zhao-directed Eternals. The video ended with the release dates for the movies in the MCU’s Phase Four, with only the untitled Fantastic Four venture left without a date.
Featuring a voice-over from the late Marvel and comic book pioneer Stan Lee, the video aimed to celebrate MCU films of the past, present, and future. Lee’s voice-over reminds fans that the one thing that will never change is that they are “all part of one big family,” evoking the long-held tradition of giving Lee a cameo role in each film.
The first half of the video served as a digital tribute to the events of the MCU’s Phase Three and the conclusion to the studio’s Infinity Saga, a set of 22 films dating back to 2008’s Iron Man. Moreover, it highlighted previous MCU films like Avengers: Endgame, where it showed live audience reactions to the final standoff between Thanos (played by Josh Brolin) and Captain America (played by Chris Evans) along with the rest of the Avengers.
Each installment of the MCU, the films, and recognized television programs, add to the universe’s lore, with most events rippling across multiple offerings. The first three phases combined to create the MCU’s Infinity Saga and centered around Captain America and Iron Man (played by Robert Downing Jr.). Kicking off Phase Four and beginning a new era for the studio was WandaVision, the first recognized television show in the MCU.
PHASE 4 MARVEL LOOKS SO COOL
— ً (@filmspadme) May 3, 2021
As for the second half of the video, Marvel gave fans a list of official release dates for the upcoming 12 films. For the most upcoming films, like Black Widow and Shang-Chi and the Ten Rings, Marvel gave fans two teaser packages with footage found in previous trailers. Meanwhile, Marvel also treated fans with the first look at Eternals, a teaser trailer that hinted at the MCU’s increased world-building and storytelling. The film stars Angelina Jolie, Kumail Nanjiani, Gemma Chan, Richard Madden, and Kit Harington.
Moreover, the trailer confirmed the titles and release dates of Spider-Man: No Way Home (December 17), Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (March 25, 2022), Thor: Love and Thunder (May 6, 2022), Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (July 8, 2022), The Marvels (November 11, 2022), Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (February 17, 2023), and Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 3 (May 5). The video ends with a look at the Fantastic Four logo, confirming the film will be included as part of the Phase Four lineup, even though Marvel has yet to release a title, date, or cast list.
Marvel just gave us a glimpse of #Eternals !!
— P H O E N IX 🎙🦅 (@__LeXavier) May 3, 2021
I can’t keep calm guys😫😫
While fans wait for the theatrical releases of Black Widow (July 9), Shang-Chi (September 3), and Eternals (November 5), fans can catch up on previous seasons and the two-released series (WandaVision and Falcon and the Winter Soldier) exclusively through Disney+.
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