After the Avengers Endgame (2019) ended with a lot of tears and joy, What next is in store for the Marvel franchise? Who will take up the reins of Captain America and Iron Man?
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)
Iron man (2008) kickstarted the Marvel cinematic universe with a bang. The Avengers we grew to love were introduced in the next few movies before ganging up in Marvel’s The First Avengers movie, released in 2012. The MCU consists of four phases, with two more planned to be released by 2026.
BREAKING: Andrew Garfield’s #SpiderMan will return in #Avengers: THE KANG DYNASTY & SECRET WARS! pic.twitter.com/oPvCA9TYkl
— MCU Source (@MCUSource) January 13, 2023
The first two phases consist of 6 movies each. They set up the plot for the third and the most crucial phase of the MCU so far. The third phase has a total of 11 movies, while phase 4 has seven movies. A complete list of all four and the two planned phases can be found here.
According to rotten tomatoes, Avengers Endgame (2019) is the second-best marvel movie after Black Panther (2018). Endgame really gave the audience an exciting, thrilling, and an edge of the seat experience. It also, however, said goodbye to a few beloved characters. Ironman, Captain America, Black widow, Loki, and Gamora all said their tearful last goodbyes marking the end of Phase 3. Everybody was left wondering what will the Marvel cinematic universe bring next.
What happened to the old Avengers?
Many superheroes died protecting the universe against Thanos. However, Earth wasn’t unprotected, as the remaining Avengers members and other superheroes are still active. Spider-man is still active and is seen protecting Earth even at the sacrifice of his relationships in Spider-man: No way home (2021).
Ant-man and the Wasp will be seen fighting one of the biggest MCU villains, Kang the Conqueror. After helping Spider-Man and defeating Scarlet Witch, Doctor Strange is on a mission to save the multiverse from an incursion. He is by far the most active Avenger on Earth.
Although Scarlet Witch is dead, there is a possibility for Vison to come back as the whereabouts of white Vison was left open in the WandaVison series. Thor returned with the leftover Guardians of the Galaxy in Thor: Love and Thunder (2021).
Before leaving, Captain America entrusted his shield to Sam Wilson, also called the Falcon. Falcon and Bucky Barnes unite to fight terrorists and evil corporations trying to bring Earth some internal peace. In the process, Falcon has officially been given the title of new Captain America and will be seen fighting alongside Bucky in Captain America: New World Order.
The New Marvel Avengers
Phase 4 started off by giving us a little back story about Black Widow in Black Widow (2021). New powerful characters were introduced in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021) and Eternals (2021). Thor: Love and Thunder introduced Love – who may be more powerful than her father, Thor. With the Stormbreaker in her hand, she will have the possibility of becoming the next biggest Avenger.
The Avengers vs Kang is going to be amazing pic.twitter.com/TVcQrARTPZ
— Ren (@wandasolsen) January 10, 2023
Given the number of new female superheroes introduced in the franchise, there is also a possibility for an all-woman avenger team. There is also a potential for young female superheroes to join this group. Ameria Chavez, introduced in the Multiverse of Madness, Shuri (Black Panther’s sister), and the She-Hulk. Along with the remaining female superheroes, Wasp, Nebula, and Captain Marvel, the new faces can form the female avengers. This may be an essential addition to phase 5.
The MCU might split into multiple hero groups in different settings after Phase 4. Many new movies and characters are yet to be introduced. Whether they are all fun and entertaining to watch will remain to be seen.
