Marvel fans have been saying that Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe has felt somewhat aimless in its larger franchise storytelling, but Marvel Studios certainly righted the ship during Comic-Con 2022. Marvel's Kevin framed the next big story arc that's unfolding (The Multiverse Saga) and gave us a pretty full-fledged look at the next chapter of that story in Phase 5 – but some more casual fans of the MCU may be looking at Marvel's Phase 5 slate and have some questions that need answering.
Below you will find a complete list of the projects Marvel has announced for Phase 5 of the MCU, along with what they are, exactly and a little speculation about why they are coming when they are!
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
(Photo: Marvel Studios)
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Release Date: February 17, 2023
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania will be the beginning of Phase 5. That film is expected to reveal more mysteries of the pivotal Quantum Realm universe; it will be the first official introduction of Jonathan Majors as Kang (the big bad of this Multiverse Saga) and will debut a new young hero when Scott Lang's daughter Cassie (Kathryn Newton) suits up as well.
While that's a lot we know, there's plenty we don't know yet about what new lore Ant-Man 3 will open the door to. With Kang's arrival alone comes an entire potential line of the villain's variant selves, who could end up anywhere across the MCU (if not already embedded there). MODOK will be another major Marvel villain introduced in the film, so this will be a pivotal story, for sure.
Secret Invasion
(Photo: Marvel Studios)
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Release Date: Spring 2023
This espionage-heavy Disney+ series will focus on Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) uncovering a plot by factions of the shape-shifting alien race, The Skrulls. The title of the show is a hot-button reference to a pivotal Marvel Comics storyline, which revealed key heroes and work figures had been deep-cover Skrull agents for years, in a plot to stage a planet-sized coup against Earth.Obviously, there's potential for the MCU adaptation of Secret Invasion to similarly shake things up – from the situation on Earth, to what is taking place in the cosmos. With The Marvels arriving later next year, Secret Invasion could also be a pivotal turning point for the franchise. It will be the first time we also see Don Cheadle's War Machine since Endgame.
Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 3
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Release Date: May 5, 2023
James Gunn will be ending his Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy with this film – and he and the cast and crew are letting fans know in no uncertain terms that it is going to be an ending. Guardians 3 will be introducing some key cosmic figures in Adam Warlock (Will Poulter) and the High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji) – and it's here that we begin to see a possible pattern forming in Phase 5: powerful villains rising in ways our heroes may not be ready for.
No matter who lives or who dies, Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 3 will be leaving a hole in the universe – as well as our hearts.
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