MCU Phase 4: 10 Ways It's Setting The Stage For An Epic Phase 5
Phase 4 is laying the groundwork for a bigger, better, and truly epic Phase 5...
2020 will be the first year since 2009 that no Marvel Studios movies will be released in cinemas. The reason for that is obvious, and a bunch of highly anticipated titles were recently shifted around for 2021 debuts. WandaVision is still on the way to Disney+ this year, but the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe timeline has now been shifted.
That's a shame as there's so much to look forward to in Phase 4, and these release date changes also mean that, unfortunately, Phase 5 will come later than expected.
Despite that, enough has been revealed about this next wave of movies to get an idea of what to expect from the one that's set to follow it. Throw in rumours and potential spoilers which are doing the rounds online, and it's fair to say that Phase 4 is laying the groundwork for a Phase 5 that promises to be bigger, better, and nothing short of epic.
Phase 4 is all about introducing new characters and ideas - there's not even a new Avengers movie! - but, as you'll see in this feature, Marvel Studios is planting seeds which promise to come to fruition in ways that promise to make the Infinity Saga look like it was little more than a warm up act...
10. Meet The Thunderbolts
There are a tonne of rumours about the Thunderbolts coming to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and it's easy enough to see where the groundwork is being laid for this villainous group. Baron Zemo is returning in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, a series which it's believed will also feature Songbird.
They both have history with the Thunderbolts, with Zemo most commonly portrayed as their leader.
In Black Widow, it's thought Yelena Belova will take over the mantle from Natasha Romanoff, and rumour has it she and Taskmaster will be recruited to a mysterious new team by General "Thunderbolt" Ross in a post-credits scene (that Hulk villain bringing together a group of villains named after him certainly makes sense).
Clearly, Marvel Studios is taking a slow burn approach to the Thunderbolts assembling, and the pay off will almost certainly be seen in Phase 5. There, the Thunderbolts - whether they're posing as heroes or a Suicide Squad-style government outfit - can make a real impact and possibly even face the Avengers!