Top 10 Truths and Rumors About Marvel Phase 4

Death has proved elusive throughout much of the MCU thus far. Although supporting characters and villains have died, major heroes have thus far eluded that fate. However, “Infinity War” features death on a massive scale, with characters dying left and right. While many suspect that some or most will be undone somehow, there are sure to be some permanent deaths, so Phase 4 is likely to begin on a down note, with the survivors being forced to deal with the fallout of the conflict with Thanos. But if it begins on a down note, then there’s nowhere to go but up, right?

Since the inception and success of the MCU, fans have clamored to see Marvel retake its lost franchises. Fox has done an admirable job with the mutants in their own franchise… mostly. The same, unfortunately, cannot be said for Marvel’s first family. This could totally happen, given that Disney is in the bidding to buy Fox, but we’re categorizing this one as a RUMOR simply because it’s not a done deal. While introducing the Fantastic Four probably wouldn’t be too difficult, bringing the mutants into the MCU could prove a bit more complicated. Would they be a fresh discovery or an old group lurking in the fringes of society?

While the titles of many Phase 4 movies are currently under wraps, we do know that the first film in the lineup will be a sequel to “Spider-Man: Homecoming.” While information is scarce, one thing that has been confirmed is that it will take place minutes after the ending of the fourth Avengers movie. “Iron Man” kicked off the MCU back in 2008 and Tony Stark has been grooming Peter to be a pseudo-successor, so it’s only fitting that the next phase begins with Spider-Man.

So far, most of the MCU heroes have ranged between 25 and 40 years old, but rumor has it that Phase 4 is set to gear towards younger audiences with younger heroes. As we just discussed, Spider-Man seems to be taking a leading role going forward, so it would make sense for the new faces of the MCU to be within his same demographic. Shows like “Runaways” and “Cloak & Dagger” also point towards a trend towards younger heroes on the small screen. This has given fans hope that we’ll get to see heroes like Nova or even the Miles Morales version of Spider-Man on the big screen.

Phase 3 of the MCU has featured some unusual team-ups between characters, like Thor and Hulk in “Thor: Ragnarok” and a wide variety of characters who work together in “Infinity War.” According to MCU creative guru Kevin Feige, this is a trend that will continue going into the next phase, which has us excited about all the possibilities: maybe Doctor Strange and Black Panther or the Guardians of the Galaxy and Captain Marvel? With so much still unknown about the makeup of Phase 4’s landscape, the possibilities are currently endless.

Now that the battle against Thanos appears headed towards its conclusion, the MCU needs a new ongoing storyline to carry between films. Rumor is that this new story thread will be based on the Secret Invasion storyline from the comics. This story features an invasion of Earth by a race of shapeshifters called Skrulls, who replace key figures in the Marvel universe, including many superheroes. The Skrulls’ status as a foe of Captain Marvel lends credence to this theory, as introducing them in her film could be a subtle way to kick off their storyline. The Secret Invasion would also fuel great speculation as to who’s real and who’s not.

While most of them meet their apparent ends in “Infinity War,” the Guardians of the Galaxy are slated for a third standalone film in Phase 4. Precious little is known about the plot, although it has been confirmed by director James Gunn that it will conclude the current story’s characters. Oh, and apparently actor Chris Pratt thinks it’s even better than the first two! While it will be sad to see Star-Lord and company go, the introduction of the various Ravagers in Vol. 2 may leave open the possibility for a new group of Guardians to still have a place in the MCU.

There have been whispers for years that Natasha Romanoff, a.k.a. Black Widow, the Avengers’ resident badass spy, would be getting a standalone film of her own at some point. Marvel Studios has been meeting with a number of female directors who could potentially helm the project, nothing has been set in stone. Whether it would be set during the present day, or whether it will take a page from “Captain Marvel”’s book and be set in the past, is still anyone’s guess. Whenever, or if ever, it’s set or released, we just want more Widow!

It’s no secret that many of the MCU’s biggest stars’ contracts are about to expire and that the actors have expressed a desire to move on to other projects. Naturally, this means that there will be new blood to fill the void left by those who are leaving. While the Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy are confirmed to continue, in some form, more superhero teams are also a possibility. In addition, familiar faces will definitely stick around to help make the transition to Phase 4 easier, with some of them possibly stepping up to fill the mantle of the departed. Speaking of which…

Yes, that’s right: Bucky. Chris Evans, and therefore Steve Rogers, has long been assumed to be leaving the MCU after Phase 3. However, Captain America is a title as much as a man, and many have speculated that Sebastian Stan, who plays Bucky Barnes, could be the one to take up the mantle after Evans leaves. Apart from the fact that Bucky does so in the comics, Stan’s 9-picture deal with Marvel has made it seem likely that he’ll continue to be part of the MCU long after Evans takes his leave. Barnes would make for a very different Captain America, as he’s more haunted and paranoid than the idealistic Rogers; which is kind of perfect for America’s current divisive cultural moment.