Marvel made an announcement today, actually several announcements, about the third phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. We’ve all been hearing rumors about upcoming projects but nothing has been verified until today. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige took the stage to lay out a timeline for their next few films.
In the category of we-all-knew-it-would-happen-eventually Marvel is paving the way for an epic battle between Captain America and Iron Man with ‘Captain America: Civil War‘. Chris Evans and Robert Downey, Jr will reprise their previous roles and Chadwick Boseman will make his first appearance as the Black Panther. Cap’s Civil War hits big screens on May 6, 2016.
Boseman isn’t only going to be seen in the Civil War pic, he will be anchoring the ‘Black Panther‘ film that bows on November 3, 2017. “I’m blessed to be a part of this Marvel Universe, and to work with you both, and I look forward to making magic together,” Boseman said after taking the stage with both Robert Downey, Jr. and Chris Evans.
“Black Panther and all of Wakanda is one of the most interesting characters in Marvel history,” remarked Feige. “Something I already showed you today contains an Easter egg that leads directly into ‘Black Panther.’ He’s a bit of a prince, he may even become a bit of a king, but it’s all about how this isolationist country meets the world. Maybe it goes well, maybe it doesn’t.” In addition to the announcements and special guests Feige brought some concept art of Black Panther that fans at the event were able to take home as a poster.
Number three on the announcement list from Marvel is a bit of news about ‘The Avengers‘. With Loki and Ultron out of the way a new villain can take center stage. A new villain that will take everything the supes have and still be an imminent threat. For a baddie like that, it’s going to take two films to tell that story. He’s been seen in the ending credits of ‘The Avengers‘, in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy‘ and now Thanos will unleash his terror in ‘The Avengers: Infinity War‘ Parts 1 and II. Release dates for the pair of films are May 4, 2018 and May 3, 2019 “We’ve always had a plan since Nick Fury broke into Tony Stark’s house and told him he’s part of a bigger universe,” recalled Feige. “‘Avengers: Infinity War Part 1‘ is the beginning of the culmination of everything that has come before.”
There’s still one more confirmation I have to reveal from today’s press conference. ‘Captain Marvel‘ is headed to theaters on July 6, 2018. “This Captain Marvel’s name is Carol Danvers,” said Feige. “This film has been in the works almost as long as Doctor Strange or Guardians of the Galaxy before it came out, and one of the key things was figuring out what we wanted to do with it. Her adventures are very earthbound, but her powers are based in the cosmic realm. You can call her Binary, Warbird or Ms. Marvel if you want, but who she is remains the same. She’s not only the lead for the first female driven Marvel film, but she’s a part of several notable teams, S.H.I.E.L.D., X-Men, Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy among others.
The only issue I can see from having so many films with comic beginnings is that, eventually, the novelty will wear off. We’re inundated with comic book worlds and characters everywhere, film, TV, streaming series, toys, clothes, cartoons and even Happy Meal toys. Sooner or later, our most beloved heroes and villains will no longer thrill us as ‘Iron Man‘ or ‘The Avengers‘ did. Me and my kids will be front and center, but will the populace that delivers the almighty dollar be there, too?
Former husky model, real-life Comic Book Guy, genre-bending screenwriter, nude filmmaker, hairy podcaster, pro-wrestling idiot-savant, who has a penchant for solving Rubik's Cubes and rolling candy cigarettes on unreleased bootlegs of Frank Zappa records.
