Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is kicking off in exciting fashion with WandaVision running on Disney+, which is a step in a new direction from how things were presented in the Infinity Saga. After 23 interconnected movies that all premiered in theaters, Marvel Studios is weaving films and Disney+ shows all into the same narrative brought to life in this next slate.
The details of how this will happen are still unclear, but fans are already tuned into everything starting to lay itself out through the first seven episodes of WandaVision . Specifically, this debut Disney+ entry is reported to connect directly not only with the now-titled Spider-Man: No Way Home in 2021 , but also with the Benedict Cumberbatch-starring Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness .
Even though these stories will be tightly linked for those who watch everything the MCU is offering, a chat with the franchise's top man reveals that the team has a plan for those who don't go all-in as well.
WANDAVISION FANS WILL ENJOY ITS MCU MOVIE FOLLOW-UP
During a panel at the Television Critics Association Winter 2021 Tour, via Cinema Blend , Marvel Studios CCO Kevin Feige spoke on how 2022's Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will work in relation to 2021's WandaVision on Disney+. He made it clear that this film needs to work for fans of all levels, including those "who watched WandaVision , but more importantly, needs to work for people who didn’t," and people who are seeing the character for the first time as well:
"So there were lots of conversations with Sam Raimi and Michael Waldron, and the entire Doctor Strange team, that this movie needs to work for people who watched WandaVision, but more importantly, needs to work for people who didn’t, who maybe Endgame was the last time they saw Wanda, or one of the earlier movies. Or maybe she’s a character they’re meeting for the first time."
ALL MCU FANS WILL ENJOY EVERY LEVEL OF PHASE 4
It's been reported for the past couple of years that the MCU's new Disney+ shows would directly tie in with the movies releasing in theaters, telling one complete narrative. One of the first cases that will show the results of this is the events of WandaVision before the release of the Doctor Strange sequel next year.
Elizabeth Olsen is starring in both projects as the Scarlet Witch , and reports have spoken of how the events of her Disney+ show will have an effect on her before she teams up with the Sorcerer Supreme. With two episodes remaining in WandaVision , it's tough to nail down specifics of how that will happen, but fans are on the edge of their seats waiting to find out.
Additionally, it appears that Benedict Cumberbatch's next solo adventure will find a way to work the events of WandaVision into the plot for those who haven't watched the Disney+ series. Even though these nine episodes are telling a thrilling story after fans last saw Wanda in Avengers: Endgame , the team seems to be making sure that people who just watch the movies won't be in the dark.
On top of all the connections between these two projects, Elizabeth Olsen's solo show is also reported to tie in with Spider-Man: No Way Home when it arrives at the end of the year. With the multiverse coming into play in this movie as well, it's clear that this will be more of the norm than ever before as Phase 4 and beyond arrives.
It will still be at least two weeks until any kind of teases are given for where Wanda's journey will take her, but it will be fantastic nonetheless to see what Marvel Studios has up their sleeves. WandaVision will continue with "Episode 8" on Friday, February 26, 2021, on Disney+ while Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will debut in theaters on March 26, 2022.
