Ch-ch-ch-changes to Phase 3, including one movie coming sooner, one getting pushed back, and THREE new movies being added to the list!
With Marvel’s new announcements today, the release schedule for the Marvel Cinematic Universe has jumped around a little bit. Wondering when your most anticipated movie is coming out? Here’s the full list:
Jump to:
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2016
May 6, 2016 – Captain America: Civil War
Joe and Anthony Russo are back after killing it with Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Chris Evans returns as the First Avenger, and just about everyone else in the MCU is coming, too. Iron Man, most notably. Get ready for a massive superpowered throwdown.
November 4, 2016 – Doctor Strange
Infinity Stone (probably) inbound! Benedict Cumberbatch will star as the titular sorcerer, and the co-starring cast looks awesome: Rachel McAdams, Tilda Swinton, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and possibly Mads Mikkelson. The supernatural is no stranger to director Scott Derrickson, whose past work includes directing the first Sinister film. Creepy.
We’re still waiting on some official art, but in the meantime this fan rendering is pretty sweet.
2017
May 5, 2017 – Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2
The title says just about everything you need to know about this movie: It’s marches to the beat of its own…classic tunes. Basically everyone is back from the first Guardians of the Galaxy, including director James Gunn and star Chris Pratt, in what’s likely going to be one of the key movies leading into Avengers: Infinity War.
July 28, 2017 – Untitled Spider-Man Movie
Spider-Man returns to the MCU! Well, technically he’ll show up somewhere in Captain America: Civil War, but this will be the first time we’ll really get to see what Marvel’s movie machine can do with one of their most iconic characters. Tom Holland is on board to star, and John Watts continues Marvel’s habit of hiring directors with only an indie hit or two under their belt.
November 3, 2017 – Thor: Ragnarok
The end times are coming to Asgard. Chris Hemsworth returns as Thor and will probably have to deal with Loki masquerading as Odin (see: the end of Thor: The Dark World); but even beyond that, the comics story of Ragnarok deals with a Matrix-like cycle of the destruction and rebirth of Asgard – without anyone knowing it. Except this time, Thor finds out. New Zealander, Flight of the Conchords collaborator, and What We Do in the Shadows director Taika Waititi was just reported to be in negotiations to direct the movie.
2018
February 16, 2018 – Black Panther
Here’s the first of the big changes to the schedule: a move up from July to February. Rising star Chadwick Boseman has already been cast, and there are rumors aplenty about who’s going to write and direct the film. The latest is that in-house Marvel writer Joe Robert Cole will write the script, and then the studio will find a director. This after Selma director Ava DuVernay turned down the gig. Marvel will need to lock this down sooner rather than later to stay on schedule for the new February release.
May 4, 2018 – Avengers: Infinity War – Part 1
Let’s assume for a second that this doesn’t move because Disney thought long and hard before giving Marvel a release on Star Wars day (May the Fourth be with you), this is sort of The Avengers 2.0. Phase 1 built up to the initial team up; the whole MCU so far is building up to Infinity War. This movie is so massive that Joss Whedon ran away crying rather than be bullied by the mountainous expectations and script requirements (just how many characters are supposed to be in this movie? 20? 30? 100?), and he’s already directed two Avengers movies!
July 6, 2018 – Ant-Man and Wasp
And here’s the new announced movie (other than the blank release dates). Only natural that Ant-Man gets a sequel, but improving on the first will be key, as the novelty factor will have worn off after appearances in Civil War and Infinity War – Part 1.
2019
March 8, 2019 – Captain Marvel
Ok, here’s the sad bit: Captain Marvel gets pushed back four months. But we’re still SUPER pumped for this movie. Marvel’s first female lead (yes, there have been close secondary characters, but this is a LEADING HERO!!!!
May 3, 2019 – Avengers: Infinity War – Part 2
As if directing one of these monster films wasn’t enough to make anyone cower, Infinity War is a two-parter. Which as fans, we’re completely on board with. Take as much time to tell the Thanos story as you like, Marvel! Did we mention that Josh Brolin is Thanos? Yes, please.
July 12, 2019 – Inhumans
If there was a prime candidate to still move release dates, it would be Inhumans. With Captain Marvel and the conclusion to Infinity War, 2019 is looking a little top heavy. Pushing Inhumans back a few months to better set up the newly-announced 2020 trifecta makes a certain amount of sense. Then again, summer movies, y’all. No reason to miss out on the summer fun.
2020
May 1, 2020
July 10, 2020
November 6, 2020
Marvel hasn’t said what will fill these slots yet. Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3? I guess they can’t really call a Spider-Man sequel Spider-Man 2, but it could show up. Maybe even a Black Panther or Doctor Strange sequel! Or do the Defenders merit a jump from Netflix to the big screen? Maybe it’s time for a Nova Corps film!
Yeah, we could go on for a while. So just check out this video for more details:
Got suggestions for Marvel? Drop them in the comments!
Can someone please explain to me why they will make captain marvel a female???
Good question. In the comics, the old Ms. Marvel has taken over the name of Captain Marvel after SPOILERSPOILERSPOILER Mar-Vell dies. Captain America tells her that Mar-Vell would have wanted her to have the name.