Marvel Studios pioneer Kevin Feige recently talked extensively with SFX Magazine about the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While he previously reassured that “cosmic” wouldn't be a fair description of Phase Two, Feige was asked whether “magic” would be fitting for Phase Three.
“I’m not looking at Phase One as grounded and Phase Two as cosmic and Phase 3 as magic. The films are all so eclectic and different from each other that you can’t overarchingly categorize them like that. If and when we enter the magic arena, it will be through Doctor Strange. Sure, obviously. And that’s to me what’s exciting about Doctor Strange.”
Before Phase Three of the shared Marvel Universe kicks-off with Ant-Man in late 2015, The Avengers 2 will conclude the 2nd Phase earlier that same year. When asked about director Joss Whedon’s “go deeper, not bigger” comment, Feige said:
“I don’t know exactly what he meant when he said “deeper”. But, similar to Iron Man 3, we’re not saying, “Now it’s gotta be even bigger and more aliens come and there’s a giant monster!” The most exciting thing to us about the Iron Man franchise is Tony Stark and his journey. The most exciting thing to us about the Avengers franchise is the interaction amongst those characters. It’s putting them in situations that you wouldn’t expect to see them in. It’s that kind of fun; and the relationships between the characters in the Avengers, which I loved. Almost whatever the heck else is happening is gravy in that franchise, because all I care about is Bruce and Tony, Tony and Steve, Widow and Bruce – and how Thor fits into it, because he’s always the outsider amongst outsiders. So I think that’s where the value lies. And going deeper amongst those characters in those relationships.”
When pressed about taking risks in the future, Feige offered, “Look, never say never. We had Thanos sitting on a throne at the end of Avengers, we got Malekith in Thor, we’ve got Falcon in Cap 2. We always take our cues from the most successful elements of the comics.”
Although not much is known about The Avengers sequel, one thing that Feige and Whedon have reassured is that we should expect new additions to the roster of Earth Mightiest Heroes when they reassemble on the big-screen. Whether those characters will be Vision, Scarlet Witch, Giant-Man/Goliath, or Wonder Man, Feige reiterates: “I think it’s not a secret that Joss and I and all of us at Marvel think that part of the fun of Avengers is the rotating team, for sure [laughs].”
Marvel Studios already describes their highly-anticipated sequel to the No. 3 highest grossing film of all time, “Marvel's The Avengers,” as another “big cinematic event.” And expected to feature the reassembly of iconic Marvel super heroes Iron Man, the Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye, Black Widow & Nick Fury taking on a new unexpected enemy, new additions to the superhero team up of a lifetime are possible.
Expecting reprisals from Robert Downey, Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner and Samuel L. Jackson, and directed by Joss Whedon from a screenplay by Joss Whedon, “Marvel’s The Avengers” sequel is based on the ever-popular Marvel comic book series “The Avengers,” first published in 1963 and a comics institution ever since. And set for release May 1, 2015, the film is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. In addition to the sequel, Marvel Studios will release a slate of films based on the Marvel characters including “Iron Man 3” on May 3, 2013; “Thor: The Dark World ” on November 8, 2013; “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” on April 4, 2014; and “Guardians of the Galaxy” on August 1, 2014.