Following Marvel Studios' Phase 3 which climaxed with Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, the studio's Phase 4 slate has been marked with new additions and endeavors from Disney+ series like WandaVision to multiversal storylines in Loki and a new Avenger in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
Even though Phase 4 has only just begun, Marvel Studios headed by Kevin Feige is always two steps ahead; and naturally, that leads fans to wonder just what's in store for the Marvel Cinematic Universe down the line.
As the first year of this current phase draws to a close, Disney is letting MCU fans, and the industry itself, in on what to expect come Phase 5.
Marvel's 2024 Release Dates Revealed
In addition to revealing that four Marvel Studios movies per year is now the new standard, Disney has also updated its 2024 slate with 4 to-be-announced MCU films:
- February 16, 2024
- May 3, 2024
- July 26, 2024
- November 8, 2024
In addition to these four films that are expected to launch Marvel's Phase 5, Marvel Studios has three additional 2023 films in the works but has yet to reveal their titles as well. Currently, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, which follows Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, is the last announced film for 2023's Phase 4 release schedule.
Now last December, Kevin Feige revealed that Fantastic 4 is being developed and expected to occupy one of those dates. It's also expected that Blade and Captain America 4 starring Anthony Mackie will be added to the mix.
Also, a Deadpool film is all but confirmed to fill a slot since Kevin Feige has said a release date has been set for the next Ryan Reynolds', antihero film.
Marvel's Phase 5 Slate to Stem from Disney+?
So what films does Marvel have in store for those final three Phase 4 slots, and what films await in Phase 5 come 2024?
It's possible that an Avengers 5 will occupy one of those slots; and since Kang the Conqueror looks to be Marvel's next big bad, a showdown between the time-traveling villain and team-up of our surviving Avengers and the freshman class is likely.
Other answers may lie in the studio's Disney+ schedule, especially since WandaVision's Monica Rambeau and Kamala Khan from the soon-to-be-released Ms. Marvel are both set to star alongside Captain Marvel in The Marvels film.
In fact, a reliance on Disney+ might also be the reason for four MCU films in 2024 and beyond as Disney+ is expected to lay the groundwork for a new phase's characters and stories.
In addition, there are also rumors about Ghost Rider and the X-Men making their MCU debut which could lead to a film; and, considering Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings' success, perhaps a sequel for Marvel's newest hero?
It's possible that fans will get answers sooner than later as Disney is expected to announce a slew of new projects during their upcoming "Disney Plus Day" on November 12, 2021.
