Note: This article contains information that has been confirmed or is rumored and may contain potential spoilers.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Confirmed:
Captain America will wear both his new S.H.I.E.L.D. stealth suit as well as his traditional World War II suit in the movie.
This film will have the biggest impact on what will occur in The Avengers: Age of Ultron.
The Falcon, Marvel’s first African-American superhero and Captain America’s sidekick, will play a large role in the film. Black Widow will also play a large role in the film.
Emily VanCamp will play Agent 13 or Sharon Carter, the relative of Steve Rogers’ love interest in the first film, Peggy Carter. Hayley Atwell has also been confirmed to make an appearance as a now elderly Peggy Carter.
The villains Crossbones (Frank Grillo) and Batroc the Leaper (Georges St-Pierre) will both make appearances as minor villains.
Sebastian Shaw, who played Bucky Barnes in Captain America: The First Avenger has been confirmed to be playing Bucky’s eventual comic book counterpart the Winter Soldier.
Toby Jones returns as Arnim Zola, Red Skull’s henchman in the first movie, but it is unclear whether as in his villainous robot form from the comics or simply flashbacks.
Rumored:
Robert Redford plays Alexander Pierce, the head operative of S.H.I.E.L.D., but after Redford commented on his role saying “I like the idea of playing a villain…I did that just because it’s a different thing for me to do.”
Many have speculated that he will have ulterior motives some stating he may be Captain America villain Baron Zemo or even Red Skull in disguise.
How Bucky becomes the Winter Soldier is unknown but it has been speculated that it will involve experimentation on him by either Arnim Zola or the Soviets.
The Amazing Spider-man 2
Confirmed:
Peter and Gwen will graduate high school.
The film will delve even deeper into Peter Parker’s parents’s mysterious death and his father’s connection to Oscorp.
Spider-man will sport a new costume more in tune with the comics than in the first film.
The film will feature the villains Electro, Rhino and the Green Goblin, with Electro as the main villain and the other appearing in an unknown capacity.
We will see Max Dillon as a normal Oscorp employee and then witness his transformation into the villain Electro.
Rumored:
It has been rumored ever since Emma Stone was first cast as Gwen Stacy that Gwen would bite the dust in similar fashion to the comics in which the Green Goblin hurls her from the Brooklyn Bridge and she is eventually killed as a result of the fall.
Thanks to a recent poster featuring Green Goblin being released we know the Green Goblin will be present in some capacity, which gives more credence to the rumor. However the biggest indication of Gwen’s death is leaked set photos of Emma Stone filming at the Brooklyn Bridge and wearing the exact outfit Gwen wears during her death in the comics. You can see those photos here http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/USSENTERPRISE/news/?a=78957
Another thing being speculated is who will play the Green Goblin. Norman is the most common character to don the Goblin persona but his son Harry has also become the Goblin numerous times in the comics.
In Raimi’s Spider-man series, both Norman and Harry become a version of the Goblin. What we know from the first movie is that Norman Osborn is currently dying. This lead many to speculate that in an effort to cure himself of whatever disease he has Norman would create a serum (possibly a variant of the Lizard serum) and test it on himself causing him to transform into the Goblin.
However, evidence is currently pointing towards Harry becoming the Goblin with the new trailer and a new poster featuring what resembles Harry on a glider, and leaked storyboards from the film featuring sketches of Harry physically transforming into a Goblin-like creature. This could also be a way the new series can distance itself from the old.
Harry becoming the Green Goblin first doesn’t rule out that Norman may, and most likely will, also become another version of the Goblin in future films.
Another rumor is that the film is introducing these villains in hopes of using the villain team known as the “Sinister Six” in future spider-man films. In the new trailer we even see glimpses of Vulture’s wings and Doctor Octopus’ mechanical arms possibly setting up their introductions into the series.
X-Men: Days of Future Past
Confirmed:
Unlike in the comics where consciousness of Kitty Pryde (Ellen Page) travels back in time into the body of her younger self, it will be Wolverine’s mind that goes back in time. Kitty Pryde or Shadowcat will still be present in the film and will be the one who sends Wolverine back.
Singer said the decision was made to send Wolverine back was simple. The reasoning is because not only is the film’s version of Kitty not born yet in the 70’s when Days of Future Past takes place, but Wolverine is the “protagonist of the franchise”.
The mutants that will appear in the past are young Professor X, Magneto, Mystique, Beast, Quicksilver, and Havok. The mutants from the future are old Professor X, Magneto, Shadowcat, Rogue, Iceman, Storm, Colossus, Warpath, Blink, Bishop, Sunspot and Wolverine, who will travel to the past.
Viral marketing for the film has revealed that Magneto will be accused of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
The mutant killing robots known as the sentinels will play a huge part in the film and they will be created by Bolivar Trask (Peter Dinklage).
Characters from First Class such as Banshee, Emma Frost, Azazel, and Riptide will not return.
Hank McCoy or Beast will have found a way to revert back to his human form, but will also appear in Beast form as well.
Rumored:
It is speculated that the film will end with an introduction of the villain Apocalypse. With the sequel, X-men: Apocalypse, already announced this is almost definitely true.
As many may no, the X-men franchise has a lot of continuity issues when it comes to their characters. These issues only arose after X-men: First Class, a prequel to the other films, was released.
Many speculate that because X-men: Days of Future Past involves time travel, that these continuity issues will be fixed and that X-men: First Class takes place in a parallel timeline than the first three X-men films and X-men Origins: Wolverine much like the newest two Star Trek films are set in the same universe as the others but on an alternate timeline.
This is merely speculation and given Fox Studios disregard for previous films continuity, Days Of Future Past could simply disregard continuity and mess up the timeline even more.
Guardians of the Galaxy
Confirmed:
The Nova Corps, an intergalactic police force, will be featured in the film in a great capacity. Glenn Close will play Nova Prime, the leader of the Corps.
Marvel Studios head Kevin Fiege has stated that 95% of the film will take place in space.
Thanos (the purple guy with the big chin that appeared briefly at the end of The Avengers) will have some sort of presence in the film, but it is unlikely to be a major part.
Bradley Cooper will voice Rocket Racoon and Vin Diesel will voice the tree-like alien Groot. Groot will only utter the phrase “I am Groot” however.
Rumored:
The film is expected to focus on the Guardians attempting to prevent Ronan the Accuser (Lee Pace) and the Collector (Benicio Del Toro) from helping Thanos from collecting the six infinity stones which would make whoever possessed them the most powerful being in the universe. Two of the six stones have already appeared in Marvel films with the Tesseract or “Cosmic Cube” appearing in Captain America: The First Avenger and The Avengers and the Aether appearing in Thor: The Dark World.
Avengers 2: Age of Ultron
Confirmed:
All team members from the first film will return with their each of the actors bound by contract to reprise their roles. This includes Robert Downey Jr. who recently signed a new deal to play Iron Man for two more films.
James Spader will play the main villain of Ultron. Since Ultron is a robot in the films it is unknown whether Spader will simply voice or also perform the motion capture of Ultron.
The brother-sister duo Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch will be joining the team and their origins will be explored. Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Elizabeth Olsen have been cast as Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch respectively. Ironically, both will appear together in 2014’s Godzilla.
Rumored:
Hank Pym, the original Ant-Man, is the creator of Ultron in the comics but it has been confirmed that he will not be in the movie, nor will he be the creator. It has been speculated that Ultron will instead be created by Tony Stark. There is much evidence that points to Stark as the creator including a deleted scene from The Avengers in which JARVIS shows signs of malfunctioning and turning evil.
It is unknown how Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch’s origins will be addressed because while both Marvel Studios and Fox own the rights to the characters, Marvel Studios is unable to refer to them as mutants nor can they be referred to as Magneto’s children despite these things being true in the comics.
Its is rumored that a major character may be killed off since Joss Whedon is known for killing off beloved characters and has mentioned that none of the Avengers are safe.
Untitled Fantastic Four Reboot
Confirmed:
If the film is not made in time, Fox will lose the rights to the characters and the rights will revert back to Marvel Studios. Although the exact deadline is unknown, it is approaching and Fox has yet to start filming.
Rumored:
Michael B. Jordan is rumored to have already signed on to play Johnny Storm/Human Torch but their has been no confirmation from Fox. Jordan worked with director Josh Trank on the film Chronicle, which featured three teens obtaining super powers.
Johnny Storm is Caucasian in the comics, yet Jordan is African-American, leaving many wondering how they will cast his sister Sue Storm in the film. Many wonder if they will cast an African-American to play Sue as well or if the siblings will not be biological brother and sister, or related to each other at all.
Miles Teller is rumored to be the frontrunner to snag the role of Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic.
Saoirse Ronan was rumored to have auditioned for Sue Storm/The Invisible Woman, however she has denied the rumor.
Dr. Doom is the popular choice to be the main villain since he is the Fantastic Four’s arch nemesis. Yet no information on the villain has been released so far.
Untitled Man of Steel Sequel (Batman & Superman)
Confirmed:
Superman will have to deal with the consequences of his killing of Zod and the destruction of Metropolis.
Batman will appear in the film and he will be “tired, weary, and seasoned”. Many fans hold Nolan’s The Dark Knight Trilogy in high regard and many were upset with the casting of Ben Affleck as Batman. However, Affleck has said that this version will be very different from previous incarnations. “The idea for the new Batman is to redefine him in a way that doesn’t compete with the Bale and Chris Nolan Batman but still exists within the Batman canon. It will be an older and wiser version, particularly as he relates to Henry Cavill’s Superman character,” says Affleck. While Bale’s Batman was considered a great portrayal of the character, many fans are expecting this version to be a more accurate portrayal of the dark knight as a skilled detective and crime fighter trained in martial arts.
Gal Gadot was cast as Wonder Woman in the film but it is unknown in what capacity she will appear in the film. Her role is likely not a major one, but simply a cameo.
A football game between Metropolis State University and Gotham City University was filmed for the film. Detroit, Michigan will serve as the filming location for Gotham.
Rumored:
Batman's costume has been said to have a classic look and while details remain unknown, rumors say it will be inspired by the suit in the comic "Batman: Noel".
Lex Luthor is rumored to be the main villain of the film and with numerous LexCorp easter eggs in Man of Steel it is almost definite he will make an appearance.
Bryan Cranston, Denzel Washington, and Mark Strong have all been rumored for the part. Reports also say Warner Bros. is eyeing Callan Mulvey for an unnamed villain role in the film.
The villain Doomsday, a Kryptonian monster known for killing Superman in the comics, is rumored to be in the film. Jason Momoa is apparently being looked at for the role.
Rumors say Nightwing will appear in the film. Adam Driver was said to be up for the role, yet Driver has since denied the casting rumors.
The Flash will also appear in the film, but likely in a similar capacity as Wonder Woman.
CW ‘s Arrow, a show about DC Comics character and member of the Justice League Green Arrow, has been gaining popularity and continues to introduce numerous DC characters including Barry Allen who will become the Flash in the character’s own spin-off series.
This has led many to believe that Stephen Amell and Grant Gustin will appear as Green Arrow and the Flash in an eventual Justice League film. A few studio representatives have denied the idea that these two TV series will be included in a planned DC Cinematic Universe. However, until the Flash is cast for his rumored appearance in the Man of Steel sequel, the door remains open to the possibility.
Ant-Man
Confirmed:
Ant-Man will be a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and will take place after the events of Avengers: Age of Ultron
Again it has been confirmed that Hank Pym will not play a part in Ultron’s creation. However, this does not rule out that Ultron will not have any relation to him at all and Ultron and the events after Avengers: Age of Ultron may be addressed in the film.
Rumored:
It has been greatly assumed that the lead role will be Hank Pym, the original Ant-Man. However, it has not been ruled out that the Ant-Man in the film could be the alter ego of characters Scott Lang or Eric O’Grady.
Paul Rudd and Joseph Gordon-Levitt have both been rumored for the lead role and Rashida Jones has been rumored for the part of Ant-Man’s girlfriend Janet Van Dyne who eventually becomes the superhero Wasp. Paul Rudd has recently shot down such rumors, but he could still be keeping the role a secret.
The film is expected to be comedic in tone given that director Edgar Wright is known for comedies such as Shawn of The Dead and Hot Fuzz.