Marvel Studios' recent movie celebration sizzle reel was released recently, featuring new footage and major announcements from much of the upcoming Phase 4 slate.
After a long wait, the MCU montage featured the first official footage from the Gemma Chan-led Eternals which is set to release in November, featuring new looks at the entire immortal team. Additionally, several clips were included from both Black Widow and Shang-Chi , which are slated to release in July and September, respectively.
Along with footage from the near-future releases, several announcements were made regarding some further away MCU releases. Both the Black Panther and Captain Marvel sequels were given official titles , while Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 finally set 2023 release dates .
MARVEL STUDIOS CAST REACT TO PHASE FOUR SIZZLE REEL
Following the release of Marvel Studios' cinematic celebration mega trailer, many members of the cast and crew of the MCU's Phase 4 roster have reacted to the footage and announcements.
As Eternals reveals its first look, the film's lead actress, Gemma Chan, retweeted the video alongside a modified version of the film's tagline saying “We’re the ones who changed everything:”
We’re the ones who changed everything. See you at the movies Nov 5th. #Marvel #Eternals https://t.co/fwSlqEwbqq
Former Silicon Valley star and Eternals ' Kingo actor Kumail Nanjiani noted that the video includes the first look at the upcoming film while emphasizing the November 5, 2021 theatrical release date:
This video includes a first look at Eternals! In theaters November 5, 2021. https://t.co/FEi7qF6KW6
Barry Keoghan — who plays Druig in Eternals — asked fans to “spot [him]” in the reel, as his immortal hero is briefly shown alongside the rest of the team:
Spot me ☘️🐺❤️ #Eternals https://t.co/3inm2blMZB
As Simu Liu prepares to make his MCU debut as Shang-Chi in September, the first trailer for the film was released last month. However, some of this footage was included in the sizzle reel, leading to the film's star sharing the trailer alongside the caption “see you at the movies:”
See you at the movies ;) https://t.co/RXkiEnI1zU
Following his brief firing from Disney and Marvel, James Gunn's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 has finally set a May 2023 release date, and the trailer debuted an official logo for the film. The director acknowledged the new date on Twitter saying “See you all in theaters two years from Wednesday:”
See you all in theaters two years from Wednesday. 5.5.23 🚀🚀🚀 pic.twitter.com/5XKDkSOYGu
Hulk actor Mark Ruffalo will return to his ten-year role in She-Hulk on Disney+ next year. Ruffalo acknowledged the sizzle reel of footage from previous films as well as the future, saying “cheers to the Infinity Saga and to many more:”
Cheers to the Infinity Saga and to many more, @MarvelStudios 💚 pic.twitter.com/GV0DWPU4Jf
Clark Gregg's Phil Coulson hasn't been seen in a Marvel Studios production since 2012's The Avengers , however, he starred in the seven-season Agents of SHIELD under Marvel TV. It's clear Gregg still very much feels like a part of the family as he shared his excitement for the future of the franchise:
Exciting https://t.co/Bobgnh3WlV
Alongside the many actors sharing the trailer, Marvel Studios concept artist Andy Park offered a similar sentiment to others saying “see you at the movies” along with the hashtag “chills:”
See you at the movies... #nuffsaid #chills https://t.co/rBsxA8EWuR
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Loki writer Michael Waldron simply used the abbreviation “lfg,” which is usually used in place of “lets f***ing go:”
Lfg https://t.co/0cx4yjb4Ik
In a subsequent Tweet, the writer drew particular attention to his upcoming Doctor Strange sequel, noting the film's March 25, 2022 release date and noting that moviegoers will “believe a man can fly (using his magic cloak).” This phrase is a reference to Christopher Reeve's Superman (1978) which used the tag line “you'll believe a man can fly:”
March 25, 2022. You will believe a man can fly (using his magic Cloak) pic.twitter.com/v0zXcgaWl4
THE FUTURE OF THE MCU IS BRIGHT
As Marvel Studios prepares to reach the thirteen-year anniversary of its debut release, Iron Man , this celebratory trailer is perfect to acknowledge what has come before while generating excitement for the future.
In the post- Endgame MCU, many fans were worried that the studio would never be able to reach its past levels of viewer excitement again, however, this reel clearly proves Phase 4 has plenty to be excited about .
While the trailer was packed with major announcements from the Phase 4 slate, there was a notable lack of news regarding Fantastic Four and Blade , both of which have been officially announced. The reel was concluded with the official Fantastic Four logo, however, no release date was given for the Jon Watts-directed film , making a late 2022–2023 release likely.
During San Diego Comic-Con 2019, Mahershala Ali was confirmed to be joining the MCU as Blade, yet no release date or director has still been announced, making the fate of the film uncertain. Some fans had expected the film to take on the unannounced October 2022 Marvel Studios release date , but the lack of production progress makes this extremely unlikely.
Unlike Fantastic Four , Blade was totally absent from the trailer with not even a logo being included, so it's entirely possible that the vampire flick may not be a part of Phase 4 and will instead begin Phase 5.
With footage out in the open for Black Widow, Shang-Chi , and Eternals , Spider-Man: No Way Home is the last 2021 release remaining with no officially released footage. As the holiday release is only seven months away, it's likely Sony, Disney, and Marvel will want to release the first trailer soon, especially as it's likely to be the highest-grossing of the 2021 films.
Marvel Studios will next return to theaters in the Scarlett Johansson-led Black Widow , which will arrive on July 9, 2021.
