Where The Marvel Cinematic Universe Goes After Phase 3

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has been on a very successful run since 2008’s “Iron Man.” Now, one of the producers behind the massive MCU recently revealed a few details on how the franchise continues at the end of Phase 3.

So far, the TV and movie universe shared by the different titles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe have encompassed 15 releases over a nine-year period. Several shows and films are coming along over the next two years as well.

Photo via Marvel Studios

Marvel Cinematic Universe Producer Maps Out Plans After Phase 3

Things are going well for the MCU, especially with “Avengers: Infinity War” premiering soon. There are also two untitled “Avengers” movies due 2018 and 2019 respectively. In line with this, fans are now speculating more about what’s to become of the Marvel Cinematic Universe after that. The next two “Avengers” films will be concluding the Infinity Gauntlet premise.

Speaking to Complex, MCU executive producer Nate Moore shared how Marvel’s approach will be towards its ever-expanding universe both on TV and in the big screen. Moore says that that Phase 3 will “sort of” end with the fourth “Avengers” film in 2019.

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Marvel Comics indeed has a huge roster that can contribute to the expansion of the cinematic universe. While introducing these new characters can be very likely, the studio also aims to find fresh ideas to build the characters that people have already come to love. “We’re looking for the next best story. And then we let the story tell us what we should be making as part of that one united narrative in the Marvel Cinematic Universe,” Moore explains.

Expanding The Heroes’ Storyline Through Small Team-ups

It seems like the only problem that the MCU is having is the many heroes it has in its catalog. Moore might be teasing that the characters who can contribute to a larger story will almost certainly be played by iconic actors. The producer also says that it will be driven by “storytelling that aims to intersect characters in a fun way.”

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Black Widow, for example, was introduced back in “Iron Man 2.” The next time we see her, she’s everywhere: 2012’s “The Avengers,” 2011’s “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” and so on. This kind of flexibility with Marvel characters is a fun way to expose them in different storylines without bringing everyone back in each premise. Crossovers only happen contractually.

Moore’s statement also echoes what Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige have previously said about the future MCU films being made up of less grand movies with unexpected team-ups.

Photo via Marvel Studios

This year, we’ll be seeing two new Marvel Cinematic Universe releases namely “Spider-Man: Homecoming” and “Thor: Ragnarok.” These films feature team-ups between Spider-Man and Iron Man and Thor with Hulk. This alon can already tell us which path the MCU is going for Phase 4. Moore concluded with the following statement:

“At Marvel, the fans are at the forefront of our minds when we talk about development. What does our audience want and how do we give it to them in a way that’s unexpected? What do they want to see? What can we show them that they don’t know they want to see, but that we think they’ll really respond to? And a big part of that is plunging into new worlds with characters that offer a different flavor than what people are used to. Those are the stories that we want to explore.”

Fans are at the forefront of our minds.

Photo via Thor: Ragnarok Trailer Screenshot

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has come along way, with us being barely shown the entirety of what they have to offer. Right now, we’ll just have to wait and see what the studio will be cooking up. With these small team-ups between different Marvel heroes, we can’t help but be optimistic for Phase 4.