While DC gears up for a spree of releases in 2021, Marvel Studios won’t just sit back and watch. Check out how the phase 4 of the MCU will give structure to a new saga.

It almost feels like an eternity since we haven’t viewed flicks from our favorite Marvel Studios. The last from their production house, Spider-man: Far From Home, brought the studio’s third phase to an end with which several precious characters like Tony Stark and Steve Rodgers took a bow and departed from the franchise. The Infinity Saga may have come to an end, but the Marvel Cinematic Universe is now planning to go beyond.
The studios had initially planned on taking a short spanned break from their Infinity Saga of 23 films. But kudos to the man who ate a bat, the intended break has stretched for a much longer time.
While phase four is slated to be based on a mix of standalone origin stories and sequels, the viewers will be witnessing some of their favorite superheroes unite with some of MCU’s new entrants on the silver screen.

We might return to theaters for the first time for an MCU project this November but the commencement of phase 4 has remained tentative due to the current global health crisis. The current year has been so unpredictable and messed up for Hollywood that who knows by the time you’re reading this, Marvel Studios might come up with new dates for their forthcoming projects. But from what’s present, let us have a look at how a new chapter would unfold in the Marvel Cinematic Universe when phase 4 begins.

Black Widow

Scarlett Johansson’s long-due standalone film would possibly be the 2020’s and phase four’s first release from Marvel Studios. The plot of Black Widow is set in the gap of 2 years between Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War. Natasha Romanoff’s death in the Avengers: Endgame was claimed to be pretty detracting for viewers and was an issue of controversy for the blockbuster. However, with Black Widow’s release, MCU gets an opportunity to explain Romanoff’s choices in the infinity saga and why she was to the one to make the sacrifice for the soul stone in Endgame.
Multiple fan theories have suggested that Yelena Belova who is one of the characters from the film, played by Florence Pugh, might take on Black Widow’s mantle and join the superheroes later in the future when the franchise proceeds to its next phases.

Eternals

Chloe Zhao who has already delivered some exceptional performances in the industry will be directing MCU’s first release of 2021. The star-studded cast of Eternals has already hyped us all for the film. The Eternals are a powerful cosmic race that has existed for thousands of years. They look exactly like humans but possess superhuman powers that were granted to them by the Celestials. They are immortal, immune to extremes in temperature, disease, and poison, and are extremely hard to kill. While the plot details for the film are still tightly under wraps, Eternals could prove to be a turning point for the MCU given the history associated with them.
Fans could learn about the origin of Thanos who happens to be the son of A’lars, the leader of the Titan Eternals which, coincidentally, is Thanos’ homeworld and the location where Iron Man, Doctor Strange, and others try in vain to stop Thanos’s vicious plan.

Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings

Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings would for the first time introduce an Asian hero in the MCU. Featuring the Master of Kung Fu, Shang Chi is a much-anticipated film of 2021. The Ten Rings is the once-dormant international terrorist group that kidnaped Tony Stark in the first Iron Man movie. Later, in Iron Man 3, we learned that the character of Mandarin who is in charge of the Ten Rings criminal organization was an imposter played by Ben Kingsley. In 2014 a short film titled All Hail the King revealed a little info about the real Mandarin who will debut in Destin Cretton’s upcoming Marvel film.
After the great success of the first Black centric film from Marvel Studios, Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings will also play an important role in studios’ push for diversity.

Spider-Man 3

Perhaps the latest addition to the list of phase 4 films, Spider-Man 3 is slated for a December 17 2021 release. Marvel has so far kept the plot of the film tightly under the wrap. But with his identity shown to have revealed in Spider-Man: Far From Home, Peter Parker might be facing the world differently now. There have been long going rumors about how Kraven the Hunter could be the main villain of the movie. If all turns out true, it is likely that Marvel Studios could be paving the road ahead for introducing the group of supervillains called Sinister Six in the franchise. Vulture and Mysterio who have already appeared in the franchise are two of the six members.
It was also noticed in the trailer of Morbius that a possible link between MCU and Sony’s own budding Spider-Man franchise could be established. It’s still currently unclear how they are going to connect.

Thor: Love and Thunder

Chris Hemsworth will once again be reuniting with director Taika Waititi for the sequel of his franchise Thor. With Natalie Portman’s return confirmed, Thor: Love and Thunder could possibly unfold the story of Mighty Thor, the mantle which Jane Fosters dons. This would be Jane Foster’s first appearance after Thor: The Dark World came out in 2013.
While the plot of the film remains under wraps, one of the biggest and the most badass reveal yet from the film has been made by Tessa Thompson earlier this year. In a conversation with ET, she revealed, “Christian Bale is going to play our villain, which is going to be fantastic,” Thompson said. “I’ve read the script. I can’t tell you much. Lots of exciting text messages exchanged between Natalie and I. We’re going to have fun. Taika is writing [and] directing. Some familiar faces. Some new people coming into the mix.”
Chris Hemsworth has also confirmed that Thor: Love and Thunder would certainly not be his last show as the Norse God of Thunder. He will be playing a vital role in the coming phases of MCU as well.

Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness

The most anticipated film of phase 4, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is said to be the first Marvel film with a twist of horror. As the name suggests, Doctor Strange 2 will be connecting the multiverse to the present MCU Earth. It is going to be the perfect opportunity for Marvel Studios to add the narrative of interesting elements like the X-Men and Fantastic Four to the coming phases.
With very less known about the cast so far, Elizabeth Olsen’s Scarlet Witch is widely expected to feature in the film as a vital character. Chiwetel Ejiofor and Benedict Wong have also been confirmed to return from part 1. It will be the first film to be narratively linked to Marvel Studios’ Disney+ series WandaVision and Loki. The film is reportedly in talks to even cast Tom Cruise as the Iron Man from another dimension.

 

Source: ScreenRant