The Marvels should, at the absolute least, be included in the current chapter as it was previously stated to be. Marvel Studios has not yet formally confirmed where Phase 4 ends and Phase 5 begins. Kevin Feige, president of Marvel Studios, recently hinted that “Phase 4” was about to come to a conclusion and that fans would soon “start to understand where this new saga is heading.”
Fans are starting to think about the future and speculate about what will happen to the Marvel Cinematic Universe when the already stated slate comes to an end. The release of so many new heroes in Phase 4 has left audiences excited for what comes next as Marvel Studios prepares to release the X-Men alongside the acclaimed Avengers 5.
Phase 5 can be roughly planned out by combining what has already been revealed for the MCU’s future with the hints dropped throughout Phase 4, as well as various leaks and rumors. The 30 films and Disney+ series that are most expected to be a part of Phase 5 are listed below, while there may be variations in the slate Feige eventually unveils.
How much of Phase 4 is left?
There’s a good probability Phase 4 will come to a close with The Marvels in July 2023. This massive ensemble team-up has been linked to setting up the next Avengers movie. What remains before Phase 5 begins, then?
Thor: Love and Thunder has already been released in theaters this summer, and in August, both the I Am Groot shorts and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law will be available on Disney+. What If later in the year? Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, which will wrap up the year in theaters on November 11, will also have its season 2 premiere on the streaming platform.
The Marvels may possibly wrap up this chapter of the MCU on July 28 and Ant-Man the Wasp: Quantumania is scheduled for release on February 17 in 2023. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 will eventually make its way to theaters on May 5.
Principal photography on Echo and Secret Invasion has concluded, and both films are scheduled to release in the first half of the year. The Skrull-focused series is allegedly getting ready to start an unprecedented four months of reshoots soon, so it’s likely that the Hawkeye spin-off will launch the MCU on Disney+ in 2023, followed by Secret Invasion to set up The Marvels.
X-Men ’97 will revive the venerable animated series from the 1990s rather than taking place in the main MCU chronology. As a result, its phase placement is probably immaterial, but given that its release is reportedly set for mid-2023, it should happen during the summer.
However, Marvel Studios will release the Werewolf by Night Halloween Special and the Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special on Disney+ before 2022 comes to an end. The latter will represent a significant advancement in the MCU’s foray into the supernatural, while the former should help lay the groundwork for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.
The anticipated release schedule of Phase 4 below:
- August 10, 2022 – I Am Groot
- August 17, 2022 – She-Hulk: Attorney at Law
- Fall 2022 – What If…? Season 2
- October – Werewolf by Night
- November 11, 2022 – Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
- December – The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special
- Early 2023 – Echo
- February 17, 2023 – Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
- Spring 2023 – Secret Invasion
- May 5, 2023 – Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
- Summer 2023 – X-Men ’97
- July 28, 2023 – The Marvels
Phase 5 MCU of 2023
Though Marvel Studios left the release dates for its films on October 6 and November 3 open, it is likely that these will be included in the following chapter even though it is difficult to pinpoint where Phase 5 officially starts. Predicting which side of those film release dates each of the previously announced series would fall on is mostly what determines which of them will be included in Phase 5.
Season 2 of Loki
To start shooting Season 2 of the Disney+ time-traveling epic, Tom Hiddleston and the rest of the Loki ensemble recently reassembled in the UK. Following his appearance in the Season 1 cliffhanger conclusion, Loki Season 2 would be the ideal spot to start Phase 5 as the following batch of projects is anticipated to build towards the Avengers squaring battle against Kang the Conqueror.
Kang the Conqueror, played by Jonathon Majors, has not yet been confirmed to appear in the upcoming episodes, although it is safe to assume he will. In the parallel reality Loki has found himself in, another Kang Variant still controls the TVA, which makes Loki’s return unavoidable. Season 1 showed a Kang Variant to be behind the TVA.
Ironheart
Within days of Loki Season 2, Ironheart just started filming; both are scheduled to air in 2019. Which will happen first is currently unknown because it depends on the challenges of filming and the demands of post-production. However, it makes reasonable to start with that entry given Loki’s expected greater relevance in Phase 5.
Following her debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Dominique Thorne’s Riri Williams will be back in the Iron Man spin-off on Disney+. Robert Downey Jr. Alden Ehrenreich from Solo, Anthony Ramos from In The Heights, and more actors will appear with Thorne. Sam Bailey and Angela Barnes from Blindspotting and Dear White People will co-direct, while Ryan Coogler from Black Panther will executive produce.
The son or daughter of Iron Man villain Obadiah Stane is rumored to be among the group of “tech bros” Riri Williams will battle in the series.
Marvel Zombies
Feige said at Disney+ Day 2021 that a Marvel Zombies series is in production as the animated division of Marvel Studios is moving the development of numerous projects forward. More information about the project, which is expected to be revealed at Comic-Con this year, has been rumored to take place in a reality distinct from the one the undead world explored in What If…?
Agatha: House of Harkness
According to a new listing, Agatha: House of Harkness, Kathryn Hahn’s WandaVision spin-off, will begin filming in October and make its premiere in late 2023 or early 2024. According to the current release calendar, the dark comedy should be the final MCU film of 2023.
Peter Cameron, Cameron Squires, and Laura Donney from WandaVision have all joined the project as writers working with head writer Jac Schaeffer, who also served as the show’s executive producer. Who knows where Agatha will go next or whether the Scarlet Witch will appear; the last time she showed up, Wanda had just changed her into the nosy neighbor of Westview.
Blade
Despite the fact that Mahershala Ali’s Blade was famously unveiled in 2019 along with the initial Phase 4 slate, little has actually been accomplished. However, Blade is now moving forward with filming apparently scheduled to commence in October. This will probably start Phase 5 and take Marvel’s open October 6, 2023, release date as the next MCU movie to start filming.
Blade, a vampire-killer who has won two Oscars, will be portrayed by the two-time winner; Bassam Tariq will direct, and Stacy Osei-Kuffour, who wrote Watchmen for HBO, will be in charge of the script. Delroy Lindo, Milan Ray, and Aaron Pierre from Krypton have all joined the cast in unspecified capacities, with rumors claiming Dracula would serve as Blade’s major opponent.
Many have questioned if Blade will travel with Kit Harrington after Blade made his off-screen debut as a voice speaking in a scene with Kit Harrington’s Dane Whitman when he picked up the Ebony Blade in Eternals. That particular plot line might end up in Eternals 2 or Black Knight’s standalone series, but Harrington could still make an appearance.
Spider-Man: Freshman Year
Spider-Man: Freshman Year, a new animated series in development, will examine Tom Holland’s web-beginnings slinger’s and early years in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The series, which Jeff Trammel will executive produce, is described as having a look that “celebrates the character’s early comic book roots.”
Spider-Man on Disney+ is reportedly getting big-screen movies and a series that debuts every other year, according to rumors prior to the announcement. Since there are currently no indications that Spider-Man 4 will arrive in 2023, Freshman Year is likely to hit theaters at the end of the year, with Season 2 perhaps following in 2025.
Phase 5’s anticipated release schedule for 2023:
- Summer – Ironheart
- Summer – Loki Season 2
- Halloween – Marvel Zombies
- Fall – Agatha: House of Harkness
- November 3 – Blade
- Late – Spider-Man: Freshman Year
Phase 5 MCU Films and TV Shows in 2024
Armor Wars
The project Armor Wars has made very little development since it was revealed at Disney Investor Day 2020, another project that has been confirmed for a long time but hasn’t moved further. Don Cheadle’s character Rhodey, also known as War Machine, will appear in the Disney+ series, which will explore what happens when Tony Stark’s technology ends up in the wrong hands.
After impressing Marvel Studios execs with his concept, stand-up comedian Yassir Lester will reportedly take on the role of chief writer. The Disney+ series will now begin filming in Atlanta this autumn, setting the stage for a potential early 2024 release. The show was initially scheduled to premiere in 2022. Many people believe that Armor Wars and Ironheart will be connected because both programs included Iron Man technology.
Deadpool 3
Deadpool 2 was released in theaters four years ago, and now that Disney has long since closed its acquisition of Fox, work on Deadpool 3 is finally underway. Ryan Reynolds will reprise his role as Wade Wilson, while Free Guy director Shawn Levy will assume the helm with Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick back on the writing staff.
The crew is developing a fish-out-of-water tale that is anticipated to introduce Deadpool to the MCU, and Marvel Studios is taking a hands-off approach with them. With an art director recently hired, it appears that filming preparations are just getting started. This suggests that the start of production is not far off, putting Deadpool 3 in a good position to take the open February 16, 2024, release date.
Daredevil
There are several signs that the Daredevil revival may happen sooner rather than later. Matt Corman and Chris Ord will write for the revival, which was just recently announced. The upcoming episode of Echo starring Charlie Cox’s Matt Murdock will apparently include him on the hunt for Krysten Ritter’s Jessica Jones, possibly leading up their reunion in Daredevil.
Additionally, now that Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin is back in the MCU, maybe he may join the revival as well. The Disney+ series has thus far been referred to as “new but continued,” meaning that it will borrow ideas from the Netflix series while remaining a brand-new endeavor. This series should debut in early 2024, possibly in the spring, as writing has just begun.
Fantastic Four
Fantastic Four is on its way to the MCU on the big screen thanks to the Fox acquisition, but things are taking a little longer than expected. Jon Watts, who directed the Spider-Man trilogy, just left the blockbuster reboot, and Marvel Studios is now looking for a “big name” director to take his place.
Even though Reed Richards made an appearance in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, it’s unclear if he’ll return. Who knows when filming will start as the movie hasn’t yet announced a director, cast, or writer. But given the long-standing expectation, Fantastic Four will probably choose the desirable May 3, 2024 release date.
Ms. Marvel Season 2
Marvel Studios has so far been cautious to give its Disney+ series renewals for Season 2, but Ms. Marvel looks like a no-brainer. After she joins forces with Carol Danvers and Monica Rambeau in 2023’s The Marvels, there are still a lot of loose ends from the conclusion that might be explored in the future.
Marvel Studios will probably be keen to develop numerous seasons of Ms. Marvel while the cast can still pass as children given that the lead actress, Iman Vellani, is only 19 years old. Disney+’s programs are often difficult to predict, but Season 1’s popularity in the summer may have set up Season 2 to take a similar time period.
Captain America 4
Captain America 4 appears to have the best chance of starting production in 2023, in time to grab the open July 26, 2024 release date out of the bag among the confirmed Marvel movies in development. Following the conclusion of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Malcolm Spellman was named the sequel’s writer; hence, the script has been in development for some time.
Sam Wilson, the newest Captain America in the MCU, will be portrayed by Anthony Mackie, with the rest of the cast still to be filled out. Julius Onah, director of The Cloverfield Paradox, has joined the project, hinting that filming may start shortly.
The majority of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’s supporting cast, which also includes Bucky Barnes, Sharon Carter, Eli Bradley, and Joaquin Torres, are anticipated to return in Captain America 4. Perhaps Carter will act as the major enemy now that she has been identified as the Power Broker, the evil crime ruler of Madripoor.
Wakanda
Beginning in 2021, the Black Panther director and Disney agreed to a five-year television agreement that calls for the creation of a Disney+ series based in the Kingdom of Wakanda. A few months later, it was reported that Okoye, played by Danai Gurira, will star in a streaming service origin series. There is a good likelihood that these projects are identical.
Coogler is still concentrating on finishing Wakanda Forever and making Ironheart. His attention should then be directed toward the Black Panther Disney+ spin-off, which will take place around two years after the last time Wakanda was seen.
What If…? Season 3
Given how many projects the animated division is currently working on, there is a good likelihood that What If…? may miss 2023 and return for Season 3 in 2024. The success of Season 2 should determine whether What If…? is renewed for Season 3, although Marvel Studios can create an endless amount of content based on this premise.
Details on the third are scant because the second batch of episodes won’t launch on Disney+ for a few more months. But the authors have made it clear that Hayley Atwell’s Captain Carter will appear in each upcoming season. In addition to situations based on the heroes and events of Phase 4 and beyond, fans may expect to see more of the alternate First Avenger in the future.
Thunderbolts
Fans have been speculating about the ultimate purpose of Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ Valentina ever since she first appeared in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier to enlist John Walker, alias US Agent, for an unidentified team. When it was discovered that Yelena Belova, played by Florence Pugh, was employed by the mysterious person, she tasked her with tracking out Clint Barton’s Hawkeye.
The Thunderbolts, which will be helmed by Jake Schreier and co-written by Eric Pearson and the Black Widow, has now finally come to light as the endpoint. Marvel Studios is rumored to be planning to begin production in the summer of 2023, which would put it in line for the open November 8, 2024, release date.
Wonder Man
Unexpectedly, Wonder Man Disney+ series creator Destin Daniel Cretton and Brooklyn Nine-Nine writer Andrew Guest were recently discovered to be in development. Being in the early stages of development, the “Hollywood satire” project could arrive before Shang-Chi 2 at the end of 2024 to close out the year.
Spider-Man 4
Since Tom Holland’s Spider-Man: Homecoming, Sony has released a wall-crawler movie every other year in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Holland hasn’t signed on yet, so there’s a low chance that Spider-Man 4 will start filming this year in time for a 2023 release; instead, it’ll probably happen sometime in 2024.
It’s impossible to predict with certainty when Spider-Man 4 will be released because Homecoming and Far From Home were both launched in July, while No Way Home debuted in December. Sony might attempt to repeat the wall-most crawler’s recent entry’s popularity the following holiday season.
Although the plot of Spider-upcoming Man’s adventure is currently unknown, Zendaya’s MJ and Jacob Batalon’s Ned are both anticipated to make a comeback. Who knows how Tom Hardy’s Venom symbiote, which is now creeping about the MCU, will factor into the story in the meantime?
Phase 5’s anticipated release schedule for 2024:
- Early – Armor Wars
- February 16 – Deadpool 3
- Spring – Daredevil
- May 3 – Fantastic Four
- Summer – Ms. Marvel Season 2
- July 26 – Captain America 4
- Summer – Wakanda
- Fall – What If…? Season 3
- November 8 – Thunderbolts
- Fall – Wonder Man
- December – Spider-Man 4
Phase 5 MCU Films and TV Shows in 2025
Scarlet Witch
Wanda Maximoff, played by Elizabeth Olsen, was already well-liked by the audience going into Phase 4. Only WandaVision and Multiverse of Madness focused on that approach. Many people still think Scarlet Witch is alive and has a solo project in the works, despite the fact that she currently appears to be dead.
Even while it’s unlikely that the beloved Avenger will remain dead for very long, it seems like Olsen wants to take a break from the MCU. Therefore, 2025 may be a plausible forecast for the return of Scarlet Witch after a break, most likely in the form of another Disney+ series given how well-received WandaVision was for the service, though this may also be a feature film.
World War Hulk
A World War Hulk movie, according to recent sources, is in development and is scheduled to go into production this year. According to reports, the big event will be built up in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law because Bruce Banner and Jennifer Walters in World War Hulk will have to battle with a lot of Hulk-like creatures created by Abomination.
If filming does start this year, World War Hulk might hit theaters in 2023 or 2024. With no writer or director for the film yet announced, and the film’s significant reliance on CGI characters likely requiring a lengthy post-production time, an early 2025 release date may be a more reasonable projection.
The Ten Rings
Destin Daniel Cretton was discovered to be working on both a Disney+ series and a sequel soon after Shang-Chi became a huge success. Meng’er Zhang’s Xialing, the new head of The Ten Rings when she assumes control of the international organization, is anticipated to play the key role in the spin-off. This should either either precede or follow the actions of Shang-Chi 2.
The Mutants
The MCU’s X-Men relaunch may not be as far off as long believed after Kamala Khan’s mutant identity was made known in Ms. Marvel. The Mutants is the working title for the movie, but without a writer, director, or cast in place just yet, it might not be released until 2025, certainly occupying the top May release window as the biggest ensemble blockbuster of the year.
Although it’s still too early to predict which mutants will dominate the MCU relaunch, Professor X, Magneto, Wolverine, Cyclops, and Jean Grey would be safe bets to make an appearance. Perhaps a younger character from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) like Rogue or Kitty Pryde might serve as the audience surrogate in the same way that Wolverine did for the Fox series.
Nova
For more than a decade, Marvel fans have been anticipating Nova’s entrance into the MCU. Some want the old Richard Rider adapted, while others want the younger Sam Alexander. According to reports, Nova will appear in a Disney+ original series that premieres sometime in 2023 and establishes Rider and Alexander as co-existing characters in the MCU moving forward.
Shang-Chi 2
Destin Daniel Cretton started working on Shang-Chi 2 soon after Simu Liu’s MCU debut was a huge hit. Though the post-credits scene of Legend of the Ten Rings sparked questions about the genesis of the ancient weapons, it is currently unknown in which direction the sequel will take. These questions might be addressed in the follow-up.
It’s difficult to predict with certainty when the sequel will be ready, but given that the filmmaker is working on several Disney+ projects at once, 2025 would be a reasonable deadline. The majority of the actors should return for Shang-Chi 2, and some fans have speculated that Marvel icon Iron Fist might join the ensemble.
Season 2 of Hawkeye
Although Hawkeye hasn’t formally stated whether Season 2 will occur, the fact that it was just changed from a limited series to a comedy suggests it may be in the works. Clint Barton will likely take a back seat as he approaches retirement, with Kate Bishop taking center stage now that she has established herself as Hawkeye in the MCU.
Eternals 2
In light of the torturous cliffhanger of the first installment, 2025 may seem like a very long time to wait for Eternals 2. In the meantime, Kit Harrington’s Dane Whitman has just picked up the Ebony Blade and is starting his trip toward the Black Knight while the other half of the Eternals are going across space with Eros in pursuit of the others.
Fans will undoubtedly have lots to wait for from director Chloé Zhao, but given the negative reviews of the first movie, Marvel Studios should take its time and make sure this one is done well. That might entail Kevin Feige being more involved in Zhao’s follow-up or even removing her entirely. In either case, a late 2025 release should give developers plenty of time to improve Eternals 2.
Moon Knight 2
All indications point to a protracted wait to see the plot continue as Marvel Studios continues to be reticent to declare whether Moon Knight would ever get a second season. The Season 1 conclusion left off with a hint that Jack Lockley, Marc Spector’s third persona, was still working for Khonshu. Who knows where Season 2 will go, although Oscar Isaac’s hectic schedule may cause the continuation to be delayed until 2025.
Phase 5’s anticipated delivery schedule for 2025:
- Early – Scarlet Witch
- February – World War Hulk
- Spring – The Ten Rings
- May – The Mutants
- Summer – Nova
- July – Shang-Chi 2
- Summer – Hawkeye Season 2
- November – Eternals 2
- Fall – Moon Knight Season 2
Phase 5 MCU movies and shows in 2026
Wolverine
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) will logically start to spin off many of its new heroes into solo films and Disney+ programs as Marvel Studios starts its X-Men revival. The first movie on the list should be Wolverine, starring whoever ends up getting the part; Taron Egerton of Kingsman is now the front-runner.
A Disney+ series would be the logical way to portray Wolverine’s journey through history after the Hugh Jackman trilogy. Given the likelihood that Wolverine will go solo in Phase 5, that might happen as early as 2026, becoming the MCU’s first mutant spin-off.
Dr. Strange 3
After participating in two of the major adventures of Phase 4, Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange has quickly risen to the top of the MCU following the passing of Iron Man. Doctor Strange 3 seemed to be unavoidable after the introduction of Clea, who enlisted the sorcerer to help with an incursion he started.
Marvel Studios has not officially revealed the dates for their unannounced 2025 releases, but it may follow the pattern of the prior year and take place in February 2026. The threequel might release around Valentine’s Day and could precede Avengers 5 that summer because the plot centers on Strange and Clea, a well-known loving couple.
Ghost Rider
When considering other characters who have been patiently awaiting their MCU introduction, Ghost Rider has long been linked to a Marvel Studios project. Since then, rumors have suggested that the production company was in talks with an actor for the part. Norman Reedus of The Walking Dead has been vocal about wanting to play the MCU’s Spirit of Vengeance.
Ghost Rider allegedly came close to appearing in Multiverse of Madness, but it ultimately didn’t happen. The character might now feature in a Disney+ series before going solo, possibly in another project.
Avengers 5
Naturally, many people will be expecting that Avengers 5 will come out as soon as possible, but with the enormous number of projects that are presently in development, it’s difficult to see it happening before 2026. Although it’s unclear exactly where Marvel Studios will go with the much anticipated sequel, Kang the Conqueror, played by Jonathon Majors, is predicted to be the next major threat.
Avengers 5 will undoubtedly be highly anticipated and may perhaps set new milestones given that Endgame broke box office records up to seven years ago. Who knows if Marvel Studios will go large to equal Endgame with the Avengers, X-Men, and Fantastic Four, or if the sequel will be a New Avengers film more in line with the initial team-up.
Phase 5’s anticipated release schedule for 2026:
- Early – Wolverine
- February – Doctor Strange 3
- Spring – Ghost Rider
- May – Avengers 5
Phase 5’s storyline?
Phase 5 looks to be even bigger and more content-rich than Phase 4 with the X-Men and Fantastic Four joining the cast, in addition to many other eagerly anticipated characters. This Phase should be another another installment in the most recent MCU saga, which all seems to be leading up to Secret Wars.
The role of Jonathon Majors’ time-traveling antagonist should be a substantial one that will cover many projects and Variants, however it is yet unclear if Kang the Conqueror will prove to be the saga’s greatest menace or just a hurdle the Avengers must overcome.
Similar to Phase 4, the Multiverse should play a significant role in Phase 5, but its importance will probably diminish once Secret Wars concludes the present tale. Only time will tell if this will result in additional returning characters like Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man and Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine.
On Saturday, July 23, during the Marvel Studios panel at San Diego Comic-Con, Kevin Feige is anticipated to announce the first specifics of the Phase 5 schedule.
