10 Things You Need To Know About Marvel's Phase 3 Slate

8. Black Panther's First Appearance Comes Two Years Early

The downside to Spider-Man joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe is that Black Panther is now set to be released in 2018 instead of 2017. However, there isn't too long to wait until we meet T'Challa as he'll be taking on a key role in Captain America: Civil War. Kevin Feige has confirmed that he will have only just taken over the Black Panther mantle from his father when he's introduced, and after learning of the Vibranium which was stolen and used by Ultron in Avengers: Age Of Ultron, it's T'Challa who decides that now is the time for Wakanda to take a larger role in the world's affairs. That will obviously include weighing in on the Superhuman Registration Act, and rumours point to Black Panther taking on Captain America as part of Iron Man's team before seeing the error of his ways and switching sides (just like Spider-Man did in the Civil War comic book). Feige has described Black Panther as serving as a part of "fresh eyes" in the conflict, however, so perhaps he'll be more neutral than rumours suggest! Looking further ahead, with Ava DuVernay dropping out of Black Panther talks upon realising that a Marvel movie isn't for her, you have to believe that the studio is already looking past Civil War as they attempt to find the right filmmaker to make this risky Phase 3 project work.