MCU: 10 Big Questions Surrounding Phase Four

Brand new characters, Doctor Strange's nemesis, and the future of Mjolnir.

Black Widow Hawkeye Budapest
Marvel Studios

As Avengers: Endgame closed out the Infinity Saga that started with Iron Man in 2008, and Spider-Man: Far From Home followed suit by bringing Phase Three to a close, for the first time since its inception, the MCU didn't have a clear vision of the future.

This was the beginning of a whole new chapter for Marvel Studios.

In Hall H of San Diego Comic Con 2019, however, Kevin Feige mapped out the entire Phase Four slate, stretching across 2020 and 2021. In addition to the Disney+ shows, Marvel announced five movies for Phase Four - Black Widow, Eternals, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and Thor: Love and Thunder.

Though Blade was also announced, this has been confirmed as separate to the Phase Four slate, with Phase Five a more likely destination.

As is always the case, Marvel dropped enough new information to blow minds everywhere, yet kept their cards close enough to their chest to keep us guessing as to what we can really expect going forward. There are plenty of questions surrounding these five upcoming movies, some that we won't even get answers to until they release. Here are the most pressing ones of all...

10. Who Are The Eternals?

Black Widow Hawkeye Budapest
Marvel Studios

Of the five movies announced by Kevin Feige at Comic Con, three revolve around characters known not only comic book fans, but by more casual fans as well. The other two however, not so much.

In November 2020, the Eternals will officially be introduced to the MCU, with the most star-studded Phase Four cast. Richard Madden joins fellow Game of Thrones alums Peter Dinklage and Finn Jones in the MCU, and megastar Angelina Jolie will also debut in the franchise.

As per usual, details regarding the film were scarce, however we did learn a little something about the Eternals. Ajak is the leader of the group, Phastos is described as a super-genius, and Gilgamesh would beat the Hulk in a fight (according to Don Lee).

Jack Kirby Eternals
Marvel Comics/Jack Kirby

Yet, as will be the case when the MCU finally introduce the X-Men, the Eternals are not just the group we saw on stage in Hall H, they represent an entire race of immortals, never before seen in the MCU. With this will come thousands of years worth of lore and backstories, stretching far beyond these particular characters, which may take years to be fully explored.

This is a project that is entirely new and unlike anything the MCU has ever done before, and at this point we still have absolutely no idea what to expect from this alien race.

Contributor
Contributor

This standard nerd combines the looks of Shaggy with the brains of Scooby, has an unhealthy obsession with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and is a firm believer that Alter Bridge are the greatest band in the world.