MCU Phase 4: 10 Signs It Could Be A Crushing Disappointment
With The Avengers on hiatus, can what's coming live up to the hype?
Since 2008, Marvel Studios has delivered consistently great stories (with a handful of exceptions), and as we head into Phase 4, there's really no reason to suspect that won't continue... right? Well, it's going to be a very busy few years for Kevin Feige and company, and right now, it really could go either way.
I'm by no means bashing the Marvel Cinematic Universe or any of the projects on the way over the next few years, but there are some undeniable signs that what comes next could disappoint. Whether we're talking about questionable creative choices or the decision to very suddenly and drastically expand this shared world on television to provide Disney's new streaming service with fresh content, Phase 4 may not be what fans are hoping for.
There are also some noteworthy omissions from this slate, because even though a lot of characters are getting the spotlight on the big and small screen, the team-ups we've come to anticipate and love are totally missing.
Following Avengers: Endgame was never going to be easy, and with a fresh start of sorts, Phase 4 is either going to exceed expectations and be great...or be a stark (no pun intended) reminder that the MCU has already reached its pinnacle with nowhere to go.
10. We're Kicking Things Off With A Black Widow Movie
Black Widow's story ended in Avengers: Endgame, so do we really need to delve into her past?
Had this been a full-blown origin story set long before the events of Iron Man 2, that would have been one thing, but it's hard to imagine any fan being desperate to delve into what happened between Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War.
While it's possible this movie will set the stage for future stories - rumours continue running rampant about the Thunderbolts - it doesn't look overly interesting beyond that. Red Guardian is there for comedic value, Yelena Belova appears to share little in common with her comic book counterpart, and Taskmaster...well, that costume is ridiculous.
Avengers: Endgame set the stage for a very different MCU, but we're going to be forced to wait for that just so a very vocal minority of fans can finally get the Black Widow movie they've spent years pleading for. It's great that a female hero is getting the spotlight in this way, but there were much better possibilities (Valkyrie or The Wasp, for example).