Your Complete Guide To Phase 3 Of Marvel’s Cinematic Universe

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is the first film franchise in history that is so large it needs to be broken up into phases. In case you need reminding, The Avengers and all the movies leading up to it make up Phase One while every movie up to Ant-Man comprises Phase Two. Come May , Captain America: Civil War will kick off Marvel’s Phase Three with a bang. The film promises to not just introduce a couple of highly-anticipated new heroes (Black Panther and Spider-Man) but also pit the Avengers against one another. The rest of the upcoming movies will explore those new characters in solo films plus introduce some more new faces, like the Inhumans and Captain Marvel (the first female-centric Marvel movie). Plus, we’ve got sequels starring old favourites like Thor, Ant-Man and the Guardians of the Galaxy. And then it all comes to a head as our heroes assemble to take on Thanos. This is all more than enough to make any comic book movie fan weak at the knees. But which of these films are we most looking forward to? Read on for a complete overview of Marvel's phase 3, ranked in order of the films we're most excited for. 11) Inhumans When’s it out? July 12th, 2019 Who’s involved? No casting or crew details have been revealed as yet. What’s it about? In the comics, the Inhumans are a race of superhumans. The result of the alien Kree tampering with ancient human genes, their superpowers were unlocked by a process known as Terrigenesis. Inhuman comics generally focus on the Inhuman Royal Family, led by Black Bolt and his queen Medusa. Verdict: As Marvel doesn’t have access to their more famous race of superhumans, the X-Men, they are pushing forward with the similar, although much more obscure, Inhumans. If you watch Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., you will know that Marvel has done a good job of introducing the Inhumans before their eventual movie. However, while we are intrigued to see how Marvel bring this group to the big screen, a combination of the lack of info currently available and the fact that it is so far away mean it is comfortably the least-anticipated Phase Three movie right now. 10) Thor: Ragnarok When’s it out? November 3rd, 2017 Who’s involved? As well as the usual Thor gang (Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston and Jaimie Alexander have so far confirmed their involvement), Avengers alumni Mark Ruffalo and Samuel L Jackson will also be starring in the film. The villain, meanwhile, will be played by Cate Blanchett. What’s it about? Going by the title, we can assume that the movie will be inspired by both the apocalypse from Norse mythology and the comics storyline "Ragnarok" which featured evil giant Surtur attacking Asgard. Mark Ruffalo has also said that the film will see Hulk and Thor partner up in the style of a buddy film and would be a sort of “universal road movie.” Verdict: Although what we know so far suggests it could be the best one yet, the previous Thor films have been completely solid, if unremarkable, entries into the MCU. For that reason alone, we shall most likely enjoy Thor: Ragnarok when it comes, but are looking forward to a few other movies first. 9) Ant-Man And The Wasp When’s it out? July 6th, 2018 Who’s involved? Director Peyton Reed is confirmed to return for this Ant-Man sequel, as are stars Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lily. We would also put money on Michael Douglas returning to the role of Hank Pym too. What’s it about? Going by the title, and Ant-Man’s post-credits scene, we know that the movie will see Hope Pym finally get to don her mother’s Wasp suit. While the first one was a superhero heist movie, Reed has stated that Ant-Man and the Wasp will be of a completely different genre. Verdict: The first Ant-Man went from one of the most anticipated to the least when Edgar Wright dropped out of the project. However, Peyton Reed’s version of the film won over enough people for it to be an upper-middle MCU movie. Fans will no doubt get a kick out of finally seeing these two long-standing heroes headlining their own film, but there still a few juicier prospects coming up… 8) Black Panther When’s it out? February 16th, 2018 Who’s involved? Directed by Ryan Coogler and scripted by Joe Robert Cole, Black Panther will star Chadwick Boseman in the lead role. It hasn’t been confirmed yet, but we also expect Andy Serkis and Martin Freeman to reprise their roles from Age of Ultron and Civil War. What’s it about? The movie will follow T’Challa, the ruler of African country Wakanda, who inherits the heroic mantle of the Black Panther when his father is murdered by Ulysses Klaw (Serkis’ character)… At least in the comics. Verdict: The first black superhero in comic books, Black Panther isn’t quite the first to get his own film (remember Blade, Steel or Spawn?) but he isn’t far off. As such, we’re looking forward to this noble, kickass character landing his chance at the spotlight. We will first see Boseman in action in Captain America: Civil War, but this will be where we really get to know the character, and we can't wait to learn more about him. 7) Captain Marvel When’s it out? March 8th, 2019 Who’s involved? All that is known about this one is that Guardian of the Galaxy’s Nicole Perlman is writing the script with Inside Out’s Meg LeFauve. What’s it about? Captain Marvel (not to be confused with the DC character also known as Shazam) is actually former US Air Force pilot Carol Danvers. After being caught in the explosion of a device created by the Kree, she is imbued with super powers, like flight, strength and energy projections. Verdict: As with heroes of different ethnic backgrounds, Hollywood has never really taken to female superheroes – but this is about to change thanks to DC’s Wonder Woman and Captain Marvel. Though WW comes out first, Marvel will no doubt match that film with their own superpowerful superwoman and hopefully prove to studios that female superheroes don’t make for bad business. We can’t wait for Carol Danvers to make a huge impression on the MCU going forward. 6) Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 When’s it out? May 5th, 2017 Who’s involved? Writer/Director James Gunn is returning, as are all the Guardians we know and love from the first film. Plus, Pom Klementieff is on board as new member Mantis and Kurt Russell as Star-Lord’s father. What’s it about? As teased by the end of the first movie, Vol 2 will see Peter Quill united with his alien father – who Gunn has confirmed will not be J’Son as in the comics. Other than that, we also know that it won’t feature another Infinity Stone or any involvement from Thanos. Having said that, it is bound to at least partially set up Infinity War. Verdict: Guardians of the Galaxy was famously a once risky project from Marvel, but thanks to being a hugely fun and entertaining film, its sequel is one of the most-anticipated of the studio’s upcoming movies. The return trip of Rocket, Groot, Drax et al will hopefully be just as good, if not better, than the first movie. 5) Doctor Strange When’s it out? November 4th, 2016 Who’s involved? Directed by Scott Derrickson, Doctor Strange has an all-star cast including Benedict Cumberbatch, Rachel McAdams, Tilda Swinton, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Mads Mikkelsen. What’s it about? Stephen Strange is the world’s finest neurosurgeon until he is caught in a car crash that ruins his career. Going on a journey of discovery, he encounters the Ancient One (Swinton) who becomes his mentor in the mystic arts. Verdict: With Doctor Strange, Marvel will be introducing the magical side of the comics universe to the big screen. As such, we’re pretty excited to see how they go about this. The cast is also surely the best in any Marvel film to day, with Benedict Cumberbatch looking pitch-perfect in the title role and Ejiofer and Mikkelsen being great choices for villainous roles. While most are pumped for Civil War, this one is a lot people’s underdog favourite Marvel movie of the year. 4) Spider-Man When’s it out? July 7th, 2017 Who’s involved? Jon Watts is in the director’s chair while Tom Holland is the latest actor to wear Spidey’s spandex. Marisa Tomei will also play a younger Aunt May than we are used to. What’s it about? Instead of another variation on his origin story, the MCU’s Spider-Man will focus on a 15-year old Peter Parker a year after being bitten by that pesky spider. Watts has said that he is inspired by John Hughes films in his aim to make the movie a high school-set coming-of-age story. Verdict: Yes, we’ve already had five Spider-Man movies of varying quality, but we haven’t had one that integrates him into the same universe as Iron Man and Captain America before. Putting Marvel’s most famous hero back in their own hands was undoubtedly the right move, so we can’t wait to see what they have come up with for his solo film, after his introduction in another movie this summer..... 3) Captain America: Civil War When’s it out? May 6th, 2016 Who’s involved? An Avengers move in all but name, Civil War stars Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr with the likes of Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Jeremy Renner, Don Cheadle, Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Rudd supporting them. Making their MCU debuts are Martin Freeman, Tom Holland and Chadwick Boseman. What’s it about? After another international incident causes collateral damage, the government enforces a system of accountability on superheroes. This splits our heroes – with Tony Stark on the government’s side while Steve Rogers is against the interference. Meanwhile, a new enemy threatens the world… Verdict: Right now, there is little that Marvel fans can think of that is not Civil War. The trailers and footage released so far have really got audiences excited to see the former allies fight it out. With so many characters, it might be hard for the film to stay focussed, but Joe and Anthony Russo proved with The Winter Soldier that they can helm a terrific Captain America film. Hopefully they can do it again here as well. 1&2) The Avengers: Infinity War Parts One and Two When are they out? May 4th, 2018/May 3rd, 2019 Who’s involved? The Russo Brothers are again directing and they have (presumably) joked that there will be at least 67 important characters in the mix here, so expect all the Avengers, Guardians and other assorted heroes to team up to take on Josh Brolin’s Thanos. What’s it about? Over the course of the two films, our heroes will come up against Thanos as he gains control of all six Infinity Stones and makes a bid to take over the universe. The Russos have said that their aim is to bring a “psychological realism” to the movie amongst the huge sci-fi scope. Verdict: This is the big one. The event so big that it takes two movies to do it justice. Everything about the first three phases of the MCU has been building up to the Avengers’ confrontation with Thanos, so needless to say, these movies are far and away the most highly-anticipated of all Marvel movies this decade. Many of the franchise’s stars have their contracts running out after these films as well, so don’t expect all of our heroes to make it out alive…