Here's What To Expect From Marvel Studios Throughout 2019
We're only a few days into 2019, but it's fair to say that this is already shaping up to be the biggest year ever for superhero movies. What does Marvel Studios have planned for us over the next 362 days?
Much to the dismay of a lot of snobbish film critics out there, superhero movies and comic book adaptations are going from strength to strength and clearly aren't going anywhere. 2019 looks set to be a banner year for both Marvel Studios and Warner Bros.' DC Extended Universe, while everything is about to change at Fox and Sony Pictures forges ahead with its Spider-Verse.
Now, we're kicking the year off by taking a look at what Marvel Studios has planned for us in 2019.
Based on what we know for sure and what we think will happen, below you'll find an in-depth guide regarding everything we should expect from Kevin Feige and company as the Fantastic Four and X-Men return home and new characters are introduced to set the stage for a fourth phase of movies.
So, to take a look, all you guys have to do is click on the "View List" button to check it out in full.
Work Begins On Rebooting The X-Men And Fantastic Four
Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige recently revealed that work will begin on developing new takes on the X-Men and Fantastic Four in the next six months or so and that makes perfect sense considering the fact that Dark Phoenix is being released in June (around the same time the Disney/Fox merger will be 100% complete).
It's entirely possible that Spider-Man: Far From Home could include some sort of mutant-related tease but it probably won't be until 2020 that we get to see anything from the rebooted heroes.
Despite that, it's feasible that Feige will finally start talking in detail about what Marvel Studios has planned for these characters (including Deadpool) and whether or not any of the existing actors will stick around or if the plan is to start totally from scratch.
Heroes Live, Heroes Die
Marvel Studios killed off a long list of heroes in Avengers: Infinity War and while the vast majority are bound to return, common sense says that there will be more casualties in Avengers: Endgame, possibly including big names like Captain America, Iron Man, and more.
That's going to change the Marvel Cinematic Universe in a fundamental way and Earth's Mightiest Heroes will never be the same again, especially if we're forced to say goodbye to those who have been around since day one. Endgame will also no doubt go some way in establishing new roles for familiar faces (Steve Rogers or Tony Stark becoming the new Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., for example).
Captain Marvel Steps Up To Lead The MCU
Black Panther massively exceeded expectations at the box office last year and turned the Captain America: Civil War supporting character into a lead we all want to see much more of.
While we haven't seen anything of Captain Marvel up until now, it wouldn't be remotely surprising for her solo outing to establish Carol Danvers not only as the Marvel Cinematic Universe's strongest character, but someone fans are anxious to see take centre stage moving forward - something Endgame will also help with seeing as she's expected to play a key role in taking down Thanos.
With any luck, Black Panther will have a role to play in that sequel too, so the stage is set for them to lead a New Avengers team.
A Phase 4 Slate Announcement
Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige has confirmed that a Phase 4 slate announcement won't be revealed until after Avengers: Endgame is released, so there's a very good chance that another "Marvel Event" will be held in the first six months of the year to make that official.
D23 and the San Diego Comic-Con are two more likely possibilities and, if nothing else, we'll at least find out what's coming our way in 2020, 2021, and possibly even 2022 if we're really lucky!
Black Widow and The Eternals are already in the works, while movies like Black Panther 2, Doctor Strange 2, and Shang-Chi are said to be in various stages of development as well. Those are bound to be included along with some familiar faces and unexpected surprises.
The Future Of The Avengers
There has to be another Avengers movie happening somewhere down the line and with Avengers: Infinity War making over $2 billion and the sequel likely to do the same, don't be surprised if that's announced at some point during 2019.
Phase 4 not including another team-up is hard to fathom, and it could be that the Russo Brothers will indeed return for that Secret Wars film they want to make.
What Comes Next For Spider-Man?
This should become clear as soon as Avengers: Endgame is released but Spider-Man: Far From Home is bound to shed some light on what Marvel Studios has planned for Peter Parker from here.
For starters, we should find out whether or not this will be his final adventure in the Marvel Cinematic Universe or if Sony Pictures will be taking him back, presumably to pit the hero against Venom! This sequel should also make it clear if the Sinister Six is going to assemble, something Spider-Man: Homecoming teased when Mac Gargan confronted The Vulture (who will be returning in the sequel).
Secret Invasion
While this is strictly a rumour, it's been said that Clint Barton (now known as Ronin) will be on the hunt for Skrulls who have invaded a vulnerable Earth following Thanos' attack in Avengers: Infinity War.
If that is indeed the case (and even if it isn't), Captain Marvel is bound to set the stage for the shape-shifting alien race to make their presence felt and possibly even replace some of those "dead" heroes.
The Skrulls shouldn't be wasted in just one movie and some sort of Secret Invasion adaptation playing out over Phase 4 would be awesome and it's definitely a worthy storyline to bring to the big screen.
Black Widow And The Eternals Start Shooting
While it still hasn't been 100% officially confirmed, both Black Widow and Eternals are far along enough that they're bound to be released in 2020. It now looks likely that Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 isn't happening following James Gunn's firing, and these would be two interesting movies for Marvel Studios to release following what's bound to be a huge year in 2019.
So, with shooting set to begin on both of these, casting news is bound to be plentiful throughout the next year, with some of 2021's movies likely to start the same process before the year ends.
A Brand New Era
Marvel Studios celebrated its tenth anniversary in 2018 but a whole new era for the Marvel Cinematic Universe is going to kick off this year, with Avengers: Endgame almost certainly setting the stage for that in some way, shape, or form.
Spider-Man: Far From Home could be the beginning of this fresh start and I wouldn't be at all surprised if a new big bad is introduced in a post-credits scene; sure, it feels too early for a Galactus appearance but there's no reason why it couldn't be teased at the very least.
Whatever happens, a new era for the MCU is going to begin this year and it should be epic.
The MCU Heads To The Small Screen
We've seen the likes of Daredevil and the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. on the small screen, but they were very much adjacent to the Marvel Cinematic Universe rather than actually in it.
However, things will change in 2019 when Disney+ launches and the likes of Loki, the Scarlet Witch, and Falcon and Bucky all arrive on the small screen in adventures which will be overseen by Marvel Studios and set firmly within the same world we see in theaters.
This could be a game changer and ensures that we'll have plenty to talk about moving forward!
More Cosmic Adventures
Both Kevin Feige and James Gunn have made it clear they want to expand the cosmic part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe but the latter obviously won't be in charge of that now. There was once a very good chance Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 would introduce a lot of new characters who will later receive their own spinoffs so we'll have to wait and see how Marvel now chooses to handle that side of things.
Whether or not there will be time for someone like Nova to show up in Phase 4 remains to be seen, but it would probably be nearer 2022 than 2020 and if this leads to the MCU's version of Annihilation, that would amazing! After all, that sort of crossover could be even bigger than Avengers: Endgame.
A-Force Assemble?
Kevin Feige has promised a much larger focus on female characters moving forward and as we know everyone from Tessa Thompson to Brie Larson and Scarlett Johansson pitched a female-led team-up movie to the Marvel Studios President, this movie has to be somewhere in his head.
The demand for it is clear, too, so it wouldn't be that surprising for a new team to assemble in place of The Avengers which is made up entirely of women. The question is, who would they end up facing? Hela, perhaps?
Captain America's Future
There's a very good chance that Chris Evans will bid farewell to the role of Captain America in Endgame and that obviously leaves the door wide open for someone else to wield the shield in the future.
Bucky and The Falcon are both likely possibilities and it will be interesting to see if Marvel Studios decides to have that play out in a solo movie or whatever comes next for The Avengers franchise.
Either way, it's hard to imagine us saying goodbye to the character for good, especially as there's a precedent for someone else taking over as Captain America from Steve Rogers in the comic books.
The Movies We're Not Expecting
When Marvel does eventually unveil its Phase 4 slate, you'd best believe there will be some big surprises. Everything from Power Pack to Young Avengers has been rumoured and all of those characters have some potential on the big screen.
There may even be movies announced we haven't heard anything at all about, regardless of whether that's a solo outing for The Wasp or a Sinister Six spinoff which is basically the MCU version of what Sony had planned for those characters a few years back.