Marvel's next slate of announced films are set through to 2019 as far as announced dates go. Now, I know what you're thinking. Civil War should be its own event film. Marvel doesn't have all the key characters needed. It's too big for it to work along The Infinity Gauntlet. Well my fellow nerds. I'm about to explain why I think Phase Three could consist of both Civil War and The Infinity Gauntlet. It's stretching the rubber band as much as it can go but, I think it could work. Here's why.
Anthony and Joe Russo who recently put out in my opinion the best superhero sequel thus far have said that Captain America 3 is going to change the Marvel Cinematic Universe again. Now, many people believe that this is a sign that Cap will get killed off. I don't believe they're going to kill off the Steve Rogers character. Plus, making Bucky Cap and having him go against Thanos doesn't have the same weight to it. However, I believe Civil War can be done in shades. Hell, it doesn't even require its own film. You can take the basic concept of Civil War and plant the seeds between Steve and Tony at the end of Age of Ultron and have Cap in his third outing not only search for Bucky and finish off Hydra (I believe the Red Skull is dead. If the power gem can destory Ronan, etc. The tesseract can just as easily kill Red Skull) but also have to face the government as they put out the superhero registration act due to the events of Age of Ultron. This would further make Cap a much more interesting character and put him in a tough position. It would also allow for villains like the Taskmaster to make an appearance. This would ultimately carry over as a subplot of Avengers 3 as superheroes duke it out. Particularaly bringing Cap and Iron Man to blows finally. But ultimately they end up having to work together as they learn of a greater threat in, Thanos. I think it would really create for a dramatic and intense third Avengers installment. But wait.... there's more!
Phase Three throughout save for films like Thor 3 and Guardians of the Galaxy 2 could not only be affected by the superhero registration act being put into place at the end of Age of Ultron, which is rumored to have Cap create his own team, it would allow more than just roster change as reasoning for two superhero teams. But, it would allow for films not dealing with any of the Infinity Stones (gems, whatever you wanna call them) to be affected by this change in the MCU while dealing with their own stories. If you ask me, this may either be too ambitious or just make too much sense that it won't happen. The seeds could and are in a way already set in place for Civil War to possibly happen. Having Civil War be a piece of Captain America 3's story would also allow them to keep the political aspect of The Winter Soldier film to carry into Cap 3 as it has already been confirmed to happen. The problem that many people would again point out is that, there are key players missing. Most noticably Spider-Man. Now, I have no doubt that Spider-Man won't be a part of MCU but how cool would that be if Sony and Marvel kept that as a secret? That would be epic. But again, not likely. Civil War is too big for just Marvel Studios. Hence why I said it could be a big part of Phase Three but not be the central focus.
As I said before, it would create for some fantastic tension and just in general, intense fight scenes as well as dramatic moments from Cap 3 on and for at least the first half of Avengers 3. Namor is said to be a complicated situation but Marvel Studios could use him if desired cause the only characters they don't have movies rights to are Spider-Man, Fantastic Four and almost the entire X-Men roster. Namor has a part of Civil War so, Namor could be a Phase Three film and he could play a part in the Civil War aspect of Avengers 3. I know this is probably just some fantasty I'm having. Further evidence that this could happen is that the release of Captain America 3 would mark ten years since Civil War. The Russo brothers have stated that the story or at least the title of Cap 3 has been set for the last decade. As I said, what would Cap's release mark ten years since? Civil War. Now, this article would only strenghten those opinions on Cap should die. Again, I don't believe this to happen. Sure, Sebastian Stan has signed on for nine films. Doesn't mean that he's going to be in nine MCU films. Steve Rogers is planted in the general audiences minds as Captain America. He's a proven money maker. I don't think that Marvel Studios is going to risk boxoffice to stay true to the source material. Now, it doesn't mean that it won't happen. It could but I think they'll throw nods to his death by possibly having an assassination attempt by Crossbones in Cap 3. I could see that happen.
The core of the Civil War storyline is that of superheroes no longer keeping their identities a secret and the government pushing for them to do so, thus, having Cap rebel against them. Captain America believes that they have a right to a secret identity to protect loved ones. No doubt would this basic concept work for Captain America 3 as well as the rest of Phase Three. Thanos' imminent arrival would make things that much more suspensful and it would create more substance for what will be an epic close to Phase Three and at least the first Avengers trilogy should there be more. They have to keep their films interesting but also not break a formula that has been working for them. Civil War will not only make their films all the more interesting but would also keep Captain America 3 an interesting film. Marvel Studios is said have BIG plans for that film and no doubt, the basic conceptual idea of Civil War would be big.
Now more than likely this won't happen but, I figured I'd spit ball how it could still work in Phase Three along with The Infinity Gauntlet. You know. Think out loud. Comment below with your thoughts on this possibility.