By April 2014, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige said that additional storylines for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) were planned through 2028.[1] During Marvel Studios' panel at the July 2019 San Diego Comic-Con, Feige announced several films and Disney+ television series in development for Phase Four of the MCU,[2] before revealing the film Blade was also in development.[3] After the panel, Feige confirmed that Blade was not part of the Phase Four slate at the time,[4] and that what was announced was the full Phase Four slate at that point, despite Marvel already developing further projects at that time,[5] such as the long-in-development Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,[6] and a sequel to Captain Marvel (2019).[7] An Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018) sequel entered development by November 2019, having a potential 2022 release.[8] Development work on a second season of What If...? had begun by December 2019.[9]
In April 2020, Disney scheduled Captain Marvel 2 for release on July 8, 2022,[10] before moving it back to November 11, 2022, in December 2020.[11] Also in December, they dated Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 for 2023,[12] and announced Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and Fantastic Four were in development,[13][14][15] along with the Disney+ series Secret Invasion, Ironheart,[16] and Armor Wars (later changed to a film).[16][17] Feige indicated Secret Invasion and Ironheart would tie-in with future MCU films.[18] These Disney+ series, plus Captain Marvel 2, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, and Fantastic Four were believed to be a part of Phase Four at that time.[19] By November 2020, development had begun on a second season of the television series Loki,[20] which was formally confirmed in July 2021.[21] Development on a series centered on Echo as a spin-off from Hawkeye began by March 2021.[22] By the end of April 2021, a fourth Captain America film was revealed to be in development as a continuation of the series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021).[23] In May 2021, Marvel Studios announced the title for Captain Marvel 2 as The Marvels, as well as the respective February 17 and May 5, 2023, release dates for Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.[24] In October 2021, Marvel Studios further adjusted The Marvels to February 17, 2023, and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania to July 28, 2023,[25] only to swap their release dates in April 2022, given Quantumania was further along in production than The Marvels.[26] Development on a series centered on Agatha Harkness as a spin-off from WandaVision began by October 2021.[27] During the Disney+ Day event the following month, Marvel Studios officially announced Echo and Agatha: Coven of Chaos.[28][29]
By March 2022, a reboot project of Marvel Television's Netflix seriesDaredevil (2015–2018) was revealed to be in development,[30][31] and was confirmed to be in development for Disney+ in May.[32] By June 2022, Marvel Studios was developing the film Thunderbolts.[33] Later that month, Feige said information on the next saga of the MCU would be provided in the following months, with Marvel Studios being a "little more direct" on their future plans to provide audiences with "the bigger picture [so they] can see a tiny, tiny bit more of the roadmap" following the clues included during Phase Four.[34] At Marvel Studios' San Diego Comic-Con panel in July 2022, Feige announced that Black Panther: Wakanda Forever would conclude Phase Four, with the following films and series becoming part of Phase Five: Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, The Marvels, Secret Invasion, and Ironheart. Blade, the second season of Loki, Echo, and Agatha: Coven of Chaos were also confirmed for Phase Five, with Feige announcing the series Daredevil: Born Again and the films Captain America: New World Order and Thunderbolts. He also announced that Phase Five, along with Phase Four and Phase Six, would be part of The Multiverse Saga.[29] By then, the second season of What If...? was also announced to release during this phase.[35] Feige stated that many of the projects in Phase Four and Five, and their post-credit teases, would connect and lead towards the conclusion of The Multiverse Saga, while some would remain standalone.[36] Feige described Quantumania as "a direct line" into the phase and Phase Six's Avengers: The Kang Dynasty (2025).[37] In October, Blade had its release date pushed back to September 6, 2024, due to production-related issues.[38] In December 2022, Echohead writer Marion Dayre stated that the series would be delayed to late 2023, around that December.[39]
In early February 2023, Disney CEO Bob Iger announced that the company would be re-evaluating the volume of content it output as a way to cut costs over the next few years.[40][41] Shortly after, when reflecting on the amount of Disney+ content released for Phase Four in a short time frame, Feige anticipated that Marvel Studios would look to space out the releases of the Phase Five and Six Disney+ series or put fewer out each year "so they can each get a chance to shine".[42][41] At that time, the second season of Loki and Secret Invasion were still expected to release in 2023, while other projects in post-production, such as Echo and Ironheart, were unlikely to release that year as previously announced.[41]The Marvels was also delayed to November 10, 2023.[43] A month later, Iger said there was "nothing in any way inherently off in terms of the Marvel brand", and was not concerned with the volume of Marvel content being released. Rather, he believed there would be more of a benefit to shifting to new characters and stories, instead of producing third or fourth sequels with some characters.[44] The start of the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike in May 2023 resulted in production on Blade being paused until the strike concluded. Other MCU projects in production, or preparing to begin production, at that time—Captain America: New World Order, Agatha: Coven of Chaos, and Thunderbolts—were not expected to be impacted by the strike, with Marvel Studios reportedly planning to shoot what they could during principal photography and make any necessary writing adjustments during each project's already scheduled reshoots.[45]Picketers participating in the strike shut down a day of soundstage work for Daredevil: Born Again,[46] and later location shooting, resulting in a temporary production pause.[47] By the end of the month, production on Thunderbolts was delayed until the strike concluded.[48] In early June, Marvel revealed that New World Order had been retitled to Captain America: Brave New World.[49]
Ahead of the release of Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018), Peyton Reed and Marvel Studios expected a third Ant-Man film would be made and had discussed potential story points,[60] with Reed returning as director by November 2019, alongside Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lilly as Scott Lang / Ant-Man and Hope van Dyne / Wasp.[8][61]Jeff Loveness was writing the script by April 2020,[51] with the title and new cast members revealed that December.[13]Principal photography began at the end of July 2021 at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire,[62][63] and ended that November.[64] Shooting was also scheduled to occur in Atlanta, Georgia and San Francisco, to last until 2022.[65][66]Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania premiered on February 6, 2023,[67] and was released on February 17.[26]
The Guardians of the Galaxy are adjusting to life on Knowhere, but when parts of Rocket's past resurface, Peter Quill must lead the Guardians on a dangerous mission to protect him that could lead to the team dissolving.[72]
A third Guardians of the Galaxy film was planned by Marvel Studios in April 2016,[73] with James Gunn returning to write and direct a year later.[74] Disney fired him in July 2018 after the resurfacing of controversial tweets,[75][76] but reversed course that October and reinstated Gunn as director.[77] Gunn's return was revealed in early 2019 along with the five main stars' involvement,[52][78] with production beginning after Gunn completed his film The Suicide Squad (2021) and the first season of its spin-off series Peacemaker (2022).[79]Kevin Feige confirmed the film was in development at the July 2019 San Diego Comic-Con.[6] Filming began in November 2021,[80] at Trilith Studios in Atlanta,[81][82] and concluded in early May 2022.[83]Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 premiered on April 22, 2023,[84] and was released on May 5.[24]
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is set after the events of The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (2022).[85] Discussing the film's connections to the Multiverse Saga, Feige said Vol. 3 was focused more on concluding the story of the Guardians characters and "not about the bigger world-building", though still "a piece of the puzzle".[86]
While investigating a wormhole linked to the Kree, Monica Rambeau's powers become entangled with those of Kamala Khan and Carol Danvers so the trio swap places with each other every time they use their powers. They team up to determine why.[87][88]
Feige confirmed a sequel to Captain Marvel (2019) was in development at the July 2019 San Diego Comic-Con,[7] with Megan McDonnell set to write the script and Brie Larson returning as Carol Danvers / Captain Marvel by January 2020.[89][90] The studio wanted a female director for the film rather than have Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck return from the first,[89] with Nia DaCosta hired to direct by that August,[53] and she also served as a writer alongside Elissa Karasik and Zeb Wells.[54] The film was announced with the title Captain Marvel 2 in December 2020,[11] with the official title, The Marvels, revealed in May 2021.[24] Second unit filming began in mid-April 2021 in New Jersey,[91] while principal photography had begun by August at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire,[92][93][65]Longcross Studios in Surrey,[94] and in Tropea.[95] Shooting also occurred in Los Angeles.[96][97] Filming wrapped by May 2022.[98]The Marvels is scheduled to be released on November 10, 2023.[43]
In April 2021, a fourth Captain America film was revealed to be in development, with a script co-written by Malcolm Spellman and Dalan Musson. The duo previously served as head writer and a staff writer, respectively, on the Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021).[23]Anthony Mackie joined by August the same year, to headline the film reprising his role as Sam Wilson / Captain America.[103]Julius Onah was chosen to direct in July 2022,[104][55] and co-wrote the script with Spellman.[49] The film will explore the effects of becoming Captain America on Wilson.[105] Initially announced as Captain America: New World Order in July 2022,[29] the film was retitled Captain America: Brave New World in June 2023.[49] Filming began in March 2023,[106] at Trilith Studios in Atlanta, to last until that June.[107]Captain America: Brave New World is scheduled to be released on May 3, 2024.[49]
By September 2020, Marvel Studios was developing a series centered on Nick Fury, with Samuel L. Jackson reprising his role and Kyle Bradstreet serving as head writer.[126] That December, Marvel Studios revealed the series to be an adaptation of the Secret Invasion comic book storyline, and confirmed Jackson, with Ben Mendelsohn co-starring as Talos.[16] Filming had begun by September 2021 in London,[141] with Ali Selim directing the series.[124] Filming concluded in late April 2022.[142] Additional filming occurred across West Yorkshire and in Liverpool, England.[143][144]Secret Invasion is scheduled to premiere on June 21, 2023,[124] and will consist of six episodes.[123]
The first season of Loki premiered in June 2021.[150] Development on a second season had begun by November 2020,[20] with season one head writer Michael Waldron expected to once again be involved "in some capacity" by January 2021.[151] The season was officially confirmed in July 2021, along with Tom Hiddleston returning to star as Loki.[21][152] By February 2022, Eric Martin was set to write the season, with Waldron as an executive producer.[127] Filming began in mid-June 2022,[153] at Pinewood Studios in the United Kingdom,[154] with Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead directing the majority of episodes,[127] and concluded that October.[155] The second season of Loki is scheduled to premiere on October 6, 2023,[128] and will consist of six episodes.[127]
Jonathan Majors will reprise his role as Victor Timely from Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.[156]
Maya Lopez returns to her hometown after the events in New York City, where she must come to terms with her past, while reconnecting with her Native American roots, and embrace her family and community.[130]
In December 2020, Marvel Studios announced a series centered on Riri Williams / Ironheart was in development starring Dominique Thorne,[16] reprising her role from the film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.[169]Chinaka Hodge was hired as head writer in April 2021.[133]Ryan Coogler, writer and director of Black Panther (2018) and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, co-develops the series through his company Proximity Media,[134] as does 20th Television.[170] Filming had begun by early June 2022,[171][172] at Trilith Studios in Atlanta,[173] with Sam Bailey and Angela Barnes directing episodes of the series.[134] Filming also occurred in Chicago by late October,[174] and concluded in early November.[175][176]Ironheart is expected to be released in 2024,[128] and will consist of six episodes.[133]
Ironheart is set after the events of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.[177]
Development on a spin-off from the series WandaVision starring Kathryn Hahn as Agatha Harkness began by October 2021, with Jac Schaeffer set to write and executive produce.[27] The series was initially announced in November 2021 as Agatha: House of Harkness,[28] until it was retitled in July 2022.[29] 20th Television co-produces the series.[178][179] Filming began in mid-January 2023,[180][136] at Trilith Studios in Atlanta,[181] with Schaeffer, Gandja Monteiro, and Rachel Goldberg directing episodes of the series,[136] and concluded by late May.[182]Agatha: Coven of Chaos is expected to be released in 2024,[128] and will consist of nine episodes.[135]
Several actors reprise their WandaVision roles, including Emma Caulfield Ford as Sarah Proctor, Debra Jo Rupp as Sharon Davis, David Payton as John Collins, David Lengel as Harold Proctor, Asif Ali as Abilash Tandon, Amos Glick as "Dennis", Brian Brightman as a sheriff, and Kate Forbes as Evanora Harkness.[136][183][184]
In March 2022, a new Daredevil project was revealed to be in development with Feige as a producer,[30][31] after Disney regained the rights to the Marvel Television series Daredevil (2015–2018) from Netflix and it began streaming on Disney+.[185][186] The series was confirmed to be in development for Disney+ in May, with Matt Corman and Chris Ord attached as head writers and executive producers,[32] and was officially announced in July with Charlie Cox returning as Matt Murdock / Daredevil.[187] 20th Television co-produces the series.[188] Filming began in early March 2023, on location in New York,[189][190] and also occurred at Silvercup Studios East,[46] with Michael Cuesta, Jeffrey Nachmanoff, and Clark Johnson directing episodes of the series.[137][138][139] Filming was expected to last until mid-November.[191][46]Daredevil: Born Again is scheduled to be released in early 2024, and will consist of 18 episodes.[29] Vincent D'Onofrio stated in March 2023 that there were plans for a second season.[192]
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is set in 2025, around the same time as the events of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and the beginning of Ms. Marvel.[68][194]Secret Invasion is set after the events of Spider-Man: Far From Home.[145]The Marvels is set after the events of Ms. Marvel.[99]Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is set after the events of The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special.[85]Echo is set after the events of Hawkeye.[130]Ironheart is set after the events of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.[177]Daredevil: Born Again is set after the events of Echo.[164]
This section includes characters who will appear in multiple films and/or television series within Phase Five of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and have appeared in the billing block for at least one film or have been a member of the starring cast for at least one series.
A dark grey cell indicates the character's presence in the films or series has not yet been announced.
A C indicates an uncredited cameo role.
Recurring cast and characters of Marvel Cinematic Universe: Phase Five
Announced in December 2020, this series examines individual heroes, villains, moments, and objects from the Marvel Cinematic Universe and how they connect, in anticipation of the upcoming stories that will feature them in Phase Five,[211][212] after initially being announced for appearances in Phase Four.[211] The first Marvel Studios: Legends episodes for the phase were released on February 10, 2023.[212] Episodes highlighted Ant-Man, Hank Pym and Janet van Dyne, the Wasp,[212] Peter Quill, Gamora, Nebula, Rocket, Kraglin, and Groot.[213][better source needed]
Announced in February 2021, each special of the documentary series goes behind the scenes of the making of the MCU films and television series with cast members and additional creatives.[214] The first Marvel Studios: Assembled for the phase will premiere on Disney+ on June 14, 2023, with the special for Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.[215]
Notes
^What If...? season 2 was originally announced for an early 2023 release.[35] However, by March 2023, it was reportedly unlikely to release in 2023 as previously announced.[132][41]
^This is an alternate version of the character from a branched reality created in Avengers: Endgame (2019).
^Lee, Chris (January 13, 2023). "Inside the VFX Union Brewing in Hollywood". Vulture. Archived from the original on January 25, 2023. Retrieved February 1, 2023. Alonso heads up Marvel's dedicated "mini-studio," Marvel Studios Animation, which is behind such shows as What If ...? [...] and the summer 2022 series of Vin Diesel–voiced original shorts, I Am Groot.
