Age of The Nerd
This past weekend in Hall H at Comic-Con International in San Diego 2019, Marvel Studios’ President Kevin Feige officially announced the lineup of feature films for the next two years of Marvel Studios. In addition to revealing the full Marvel’s Phase 4 slate, Feige shared exciting new information on the brand-new Marvel Studios’ series created exclusively for Disney+, Disney’s upcoming streaming service launching in the U.S. on November 12.
Leading into SDCC this year, there was a great deal of speculation about what Marvel’s return to Hall H might have in store. While rumors about Marvel’s post-Avengers: Endgame plans have run rampant even before that film’s release, the studio finally quelled those rumors. In true Marvel Studios fashion, Feige and company blew the roof off of Hall H with a slew of Phase 4 announcements.
The following is a recap of Feige’s San Diego Comic-Con 2019 presentation, which was moderated by Jessica Chobot of Nerdist News.
The Eternals
Feige kicked off with an overview of the feature film The Eternals, an exciting new team of Super-Heroes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Feige introduced the director, Chloé Zhao, followed by stars from the film, including, Richard Madden as Ikaris, Kumail Nanjiani as Kingo, Lauren Ridloff as Makkari, Brian Tyree Henry as Phastos, Salma Hayek as Ajak, Lia McHugh as Sprite, Don Lee as Gilgamesh and Angelina Jolie as Thena.
The Eternals will make their Marvel Cinematic Universe debut in theaters on November 6, 2020.
The Falcon And The Winter Soldier
Then, Feige brought news on the Disney+ original series The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, which pairs up two of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s most popular heroes—Sam Wilson aka The Falcon and Bucky Barnes aka The Winter Soldier—in a series of action-filled adventures as they fight together against evil after the events of Avengers: Endgame. Anthony Mackie (The Falcon) and Sebastian Stan (The Winter Soldier) came on stage to greet the fans, and it was revealed that Daniel Brühl will once again return as the villain of the series, Baron Zemo.
The Falcon and The Winter Soldier is set to debut on Disney+ in the fall of 2020.
Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings
Afterward, Feige spoke about the upcoming feature film, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. The Marvel Studios President detailed how the legend has been hinted at in the MCU films since the first Iron Man, continuing that story in Phase 4. In an unanticipated surprise for all, Feige then announced the confirmed casting of Simu Liu in the title role of Shang-Chi and both the actor and the director, Destin Daniel Cretton, came on stage to greet the audience. Kevin also shared with the audience the casting of Awkwafina in a yet-to-be-disclosed role. Then, Kevin revealed to the Hall H audience that the real Mandarin will be played by celebrated Chinese actor Tony Leung.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings will be in theaters on February 12, 2021.
Wandavision
Next, Feige offered the latest on WandaVision, another Disney+ original series where Paul Bettany reprises the role of Vision and Elizabeth Olsen returns to her role of Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch. Bettany and Olsen were joined on stage by MCU newcomer Teyonah Parris. Feige announced that Parris will be playing the grown-up version of Monica Rambeau, who was introduced to audiences in Captain Marvel.
Details are still scarce, but WandaVision premieres on Disney+ in the spring of 2021 nevertheless.
Loki
Feige offered news on Loki, the Marvel Studios original series streaming on Disney+ in the spring of 2021. Tom Hiddleston—back in his role of the mercurial Loki, the god of mischief and everyone’s favorite villain—received a huge welcome from fans when Feige brought him out on stage. Then to the delight of the audience, Hiddleston answered one of the biggest questions from Avengers: Endgame — “Where did Loki go when he took the Space Stone?”
Doctor Strange In the Multiverse Of Madness
Feige introduced the second film in the Doctor Strange franchise, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. He called the director, Scott Derrickson, and star Benedict Cumberbatch to the stage to a rousing welcome. In a surprise twist, Feige brought out Elizabeth Olsen, who also stars in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and they talked about how WandaVision—the previously-mentioned Disney+ series that Olsen will star in as Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch—connects directly to the feature-film storyline. Derrickson also teased that the sequel would be the MCU’s first foray into the Horror genre.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness hits theaters on May 7, 2021.
What If…?
Feige offered new information on What If…?, the first animated series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. What If…? is being created exclusively for Disney+ and features stories that present alternate realities in the Marvel universe. Feige mentioned that many actors from across the Marvel Cinematic Universe will reprise their roles as voice talent in the series. He then surprised the audience by bringing Jeffrey Wright to the stage and introducing him as the voice of the popular character The Watcher in the new series.
What If…? joins the Disney+ lineup in the summer of 2021.
Hawkeye
Next, Jeremy Renner came on stage and revealed the previously undisclosed title of the Hawkeye Disney+ original series. He joined Kevin Feige to give exciting news about Hawkeye, including details about Kate Bishop, a character well-known in Marvel comics, who will be an integral part of the series.
Hawkeye launches on Disney+ in the fall of 2021.
Thor: Love And Thunder
Feige talked about the next Thor film, Thor: Love and Thunder, which will be the fourth feature film in the Thor franchise. It was revealed that Jane Foster, played by Natalie Portman, will become the Mighty Thor, the goddess of Thunder. Director Taika Waititi, Chris Hemsworth, Tessa Thompson and Portman all came on stage for the presentation, eliciting a wild response from the Hall H audience.
Thor: Love and Thunder debuts in theaters on November 5, 2021.
Black Widow
Feige officially announced the feature film Black Widow, making it the first film of Phase 4 to hit the big screen. Feige surprised the audience with the first footage from Black Widow, which is currently in production. The film is directed by Cate Shortland who was on hand to greet the Hall H audience along with Scarlett Johansson, reprising her role of Natasha Romanoff, as well as newcomers to the Marvel Cinematic Universe David Harbour as Alexei aka The Red Guardian, Florence Pugh as Yelena, O-T Fagbenle as Mason and Rachel Weisz as Melina.
Blade
Following the Black Widow presentation, Feige had another big surprise up his sleeve for the enthusiastic Hall H crowd. He was joined on stage by actor Mahershala Ali and then announced the new Marvel Studios feature film Blade that Ali will star in. The MCU reboot of Blade is still in the early development stages, but it is expected to become a part of Phase 5.
What are your thoughts on the Phase 4 lineup? Which Phase 4 film/series are you most excited for? Make sure to let us know in the comment section below!
