Top 10 Things You Need To Know About Marvel Studios' Phase Four

Last Updated on August 3, 2021

The massive Phase Four announcement from Marvel Studios at San Diego Comic Con last weekend has already sent shockwaves through fandom around the world. Over the next two years, we will get 11 films and TV series featuring the further adventures in the MCU. While some of the news was expected, there were still many surprises. Having digested these reveals for a week, here is a breakdown of ten major things you need to know about Phase Four and what it means for the future of the MCU. If you think we missed something or what to chime in with your two cents, leave a comment below.

TV Shows Are As Important As Movies Now

While Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. started out directly connected to the MCU, the Netflix shows starring Daredevil, Iron Fist, Luke Cage, Punisher, and Jessica Jones have all been written out of the mythology. These new Disney+ series like Loki and WandaVision are all 100% produced by Marvel Studios which means their plots and story elements are just as vital to the growing cinematic universe as the feature films. Kevin Feige teased how these various titles are event series which makes them long-form movies told on a different platform. The creative freedom of a series means we will see some original narrative styles too risky for the big screen with story elements that will have repercussions for the big screen outings to come.

Fans Will Finally Get The REAL Mandarin

We have heard that Shang-Chi was coming for a while now but the reveal that the title is SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS carries with it the news that we will be getting the true version of the Mandarin, played by Tony Leung Chiu-wai opposite Simu Liu as the title hero. Kevin Feige teased the multiple hints of the Mandarin going back to IRON MAN, ALL HAIL THE KING, IRON MAN 3 and even an easter egg in ANT-MAN. All of these will come to a head in a film led by the first Asian superhero in a Marvel Studios film. Maybe now people can stop bitching about Iron Fist…

The Multiverse DOES Exist

The marketing for SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME teased that Mysterio was from another parallel Earth, but that quickly turned out to be bullshit. But, the announcement that DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS is coming confirms that the Marvel Comics tradition of alternate realities is part of the MCU as well. We also learned that Elizabeth Olsen will play Scarlet Witch in the film and the events of WandaVision will lead directly into this sequel. Does this set up the What If… series or will the implications be even larger for the MCU?

Jane Foster Becoming Thor Will Likely Bid Farewell To Chris Hemsworth

Natalie Portman returning to the MCU was one of the biggest shocks, especially since Kevin Feige said it had been in the works for nine months. Portman isn't returning for a supporting role but to take over the honor of being The Mighty Thor. This means that either Chris Hemsworth's character will be killed off or at least lose his powers for the next several films, especially since there has never been another MCU franchise for an individual character that has gone past three films. LOVE AND THUNDER could be the first in a new THOR trilogy.

The Hawkeye Series May Be The End of the Line for Jeremy Renner

In the pivotal scene where Hawkeye and Black Widow vie for who gets to sacrifice themselves for the Soul Stone in AVENGERS: ENDGAME, it was clear that the script was revised multiple times for the possibility that either character could meet their fate. Since BLACK WIDOW has her solo film now, Jeremy Renner gets his marquee outing in the form of a Disney+ series. With many of the original Avengers either retired or deceased and this series set to debut Kate Bishop, this may be a long form way of saying goodbye to Clint Barton. It seems likely that Kate Bishop will be the new and future Hawkeye which means this could be the proper send off for Renner from the MCU.

The Eternals May Be Our New Avengers (And Not Our New Inhumans)

While Marvel Studios may want to forget that Inhumans ever existed (don't we all?), the upcoming ETERNALS movie sounds a lot like it. A family of aristocratic superpowered beings tha thave existed on Earth for thousands of years and are played by a multi-ethnic cast? Yeah, it sounds like Inhumans. But, with huge names like Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, Kumail Nanjiani, Richard Madden and more, ETERNALS could be the next GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY or even AVENGERS.

Sebastian Stan and Anthony Mackie May Both Get To Be Captain America

While the reveal that Daniel Bruhl will truly play Baron Zemo in the Disney+ series The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, it was the small moment where Anthony Mackie handed Captain America's shield to Sebastian Stan that raised some eyebrows. Fans know that both Bucky and Sam Wilson have taken over the mantle of Captain America in the comic books, but the handover in AVENGERS: ENDGAME seemed to signal it was going to be Sam alone. Well, maybe the reason no one was truly named the new Cap was because this series will explore who is truly worthy of it.

What If… Is Going To Be Awesome

Featuring virtually all of the actors who have appeared on screen in the MCU, Marvel Studios' first animated series introduces Uatu The Watcher voiced by the great Jeffrey Wright. While it may not be the same as a live action series, we will get to imagine alternate universes where the impossible is possible. What if Peggy Carter were Captain America? What if Hulk were a villain? What if Tony Stark didn't die? The best aspect of this series is that Robert Downey Jr could come back or we could even get X-MEN actors like Hugh Jackman to appear in the MCU (sort of).

We Still Don’t Know How Black Widow Fits Into The Timeline

The first footage from BLACK WIDOW debuted for those of us in Hall H and it was pretty badass. Looking like a blend of the fights from CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER and the Jason Bourne films, no date was given to when or where the film takes place. The only hint was a title card that said Budapest which could put the movie during the WINTER SOLDIER or CIVIL WAR films or an another period before either. Either way, the movie looks good so far. We just need to know if it is a Multiverse story, a Soul Stone fantasy, or a prequel.

Kevin Feige Already Teased Phase 5

At the very end of the Comic Con panel, we learned that Mahershala Ali will play Blade in an upcoming reboot of the vampire killer film series made famous by Wesley Snipes. Kevin Feige also teased we would soon learn about GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3, FANTASTIC FOUR, CAPTAIN MARVEL 2, BLACK PANTHER 2 and something he called MUTANTS. While this was the first formal confirmation of the 20th Century Fox properties making their way to the MCU, it was far from a shock. BLADE will not be a part of Phase Four which means all of these titles will be films and/or TV series coming in Phase Five. So don't expect to see any of these until 2022.