Thunderbolts (film)

Phase Five of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is a group of American superhero films and television series produced by Marvel Studios based on characters that appear in publications by Marvel Comics. Phase Five features all of the Marvel Studios productions set to be released starting from 2023 to mid-2024, with Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures distributing the films, while the series release on Disney+. The first film in the phase will be '' Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania'', scheduled for release in February 2023, with the first series in the phase being the second season of the animated '' What If...?'', set for release in early 2023. Kevin Feige produces every film and serves as executive producer of every series in this phase, alongside producers Stephen Broussard for ''Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania'', Nate Moore for '' Captain America: New World Order'', and Eric Carroll for ''Blade''.

The films of the phase include ''Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania'' starring Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lilly, the ensemble ''Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3'', ''The Marvels'' starring Brie Larson, Teyonah Parris, and Iman Vellani, ''Captain America: New World Order'' starring Anthony Mackie, the ensemble '' Thunderbolts'', and ''Blade'' starring Mahershala Ali.

The Disney+ television series of the phase include the second season of ''What If...?'' narrated by Jeffrey Wright, ''Secret Invasion'' starring Samuel L. Jackson and Ben Mendelsohn, the second season of ''Loki'' starring Tom Hiddleston, '' Ironheart'' starring Dominique Thorne, ''Echo'' starring Alaqua Cox, '' Agatha: Coven of Chaos'' starring Kathryn Hahn, and '' Daredevil: Born Again'' starring Charlie Cox. Phase Five, along with Phase Four and Phase Six, constitutes The Multiverse Saga.

Development

By April 2014, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige said that additional storylines for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) were planned through 2028. During Marvel Studios' panel at the July 2019 San Diego Comic-Con, Feige announced several films and Disney+ television series in development for Phase Four of the MCU, before revealing the film ''Blade'' was also in development. After the panel, Feige confirmed that ''Blade'' was not part of the Phase Four slate at the time, and that what was announced was the full Phase Four slate at that point, despite Marvel already developing further projects at that time, such as the long-in-development ''Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3'', and a sequel to '' Captain Marvel'' (2019). An ''Ant-Man and the Wasp'' (2018) sequel entered development by November 2019, having a potential 2022 release. Development work on a second season of '' What If...?'' had begun by December 2019.

In April 2020, Disney scheduled ''Captain Marvel 2'' for release on July 8, 2022, before moving it back to November 11, 2022, in December 2020. Also in December, they dated ''Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3'' for 2023, and announced '' Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania'' and ''Fantastic Four'' were in development, along with the Disney+ series ''Secret Invasion'', '' Ironheart'', and ''Armor Wars'' (later changed to a film). Feige indicated ''Secret Invasion'' and ''Ironheart'' would tie-in with future MCU films. These Disney+ series, plus ''Captain Marvel 2'', ''Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania'', ''Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3'', and ''Fantastic Four'' were believed to be a part of Phase Four at that time. By November 2020, development had begun on a second season of the television series ''Loki'', which was formally confirmed in July 2021. Development on a series centered on Echo as a spin-off from '' Hawkeye'' began by March 2021. By the end of April 2021, a fourth ''Captain America'' film was revealed to be in development as a continuation of the series ''The Falcon and the Winter Soldier'' (2021). In May 2021, Marvel Studios announced the title for ''Captain Marvel 2'' as ''The Marvels'', as well as the respective February 17 and May 5, 2023, releases dates for ''Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania'' and ''Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3''. In October 2021, Marvel Studios further adjusted ''The Marvels'' to February 17, 2023, and ''Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania'' to July 28, 2023, only to swap their release dates in April 2022, given ''Quantumania'' was further along in production than ''The Marvels''. Development on a series centered on Agatha Harkness as a spin-off from ''WandaVision'' began by October 2021. During the Disney+ Day event the following month, Marvel Studios officially announced ''Echo'' and '' Agatha: Coven of Chaos''.

By March 2022, a reboot project of Marvel Television's Netflix series '' Daredevil'' (2015–2018) was revealed to be in development, and was confirmed to be in development for Disney+ in May. By June 2022, Marvel Studios was developing the film '' Thunderbolts''. Later that month, Feige said information on the next saga of the MCU would be provided in the following months, with Marvel Studios being a "little more direct" on their future plans to provide audiences with "the bigger picture o theycan see a tiny, tiny bit more of the roadmap" following the clues included during Phase Four. At Marvel Studios' San Diego Comic-Con panel in July 2022, Feige announced that '' Black Panther: Wakanda Forever'' would conclude Phase Four, with the following films and series becoming part of Phase Five: ''Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania'', ''Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3'', ''The Marvels'', ''Secret Invasion'', and ''Ironheart''. ''Blade'', the second season of ''Loki'', ''Echo'', and ''Agatha: Coven of Chaos'' were also confirmed for Phase Five, with Feige announcing the series '' Daredevil: Born Again'' and the films '' Captain America: New World Order'' and ''Thunderbolts''. He also announced that Phase Five, along with Phase Four and Phase Six, would be part of The Multiverse Saga. By then, the second season of ''What If...?'' was also announced to release during this phase. Feige stated that many of the projects in Phase Four and Five, and their post-credit teases, would connect and lead towards the conclusion of The Multiverse Saga, while some would remain standalone. Feige described ''Quantumania'' as "a direct line" into the phase and Phase Six's '' Avengers: The Kang Dynasty'' (2025). In October, ''Blade'' had its release date pushed back to September 6, 2024, due to production-related issues. In December 2022, ''Echo'' head writer Marion Dayre stated that the series would be delayed to late 2023, around that December.

Films

''Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania'' (2023)

Scott Lang and Hope van Dyne, along with Hope's parents Hank Pym and Janet van Dyne and Lang's daughter Cassie, go on a new adventure exploring the Quantum Realm that pushes their limits and pits them against Kang the Conqueror.

Ahead of the release of ''Ant-Man and the Wasp'' (2018), Peyton Reed and Marvel Studios expected a third ''Ant-Man'' film would be made and had discussed potential story points, with Reed returning as director by November 2019, alongside Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lilly as Scott Lang / Ant-Man and Hope van Dyne / Wasp. Jeff Loveness was writing the script by April 2020, with the title and new cast members revealed that December. Filming in Turkey began in early February 2021, while principal photography began at the end of July at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire, and ended in November. Shooting was also scheduled to occur in Atlanta, Georgia and San Francisco, to last until 2022. ''Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania'' is scheduled to be released on February 17, 2023.

Jonathan Majors appears as Kang the Conqueror, after first appearing as a variant of that character called He Who Remains in the first season of ''Loki'' (2021).

''Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3'' (2023)

After purchasing Knowhere from the Collector, the Guardians of the Galaxy attempt to make it a safe haven for alien refugees. But after a brutal attack, Peter Quill must lead the Guardians on a dangerous mission to protect one of their members that could lead to the team dissolving.

A third ''Guardians of the Galaxy'' film was planned by Marvel Studios in April 2016, with James Gunn returning to write and direct a year later. Disney fired him in July 2018 after the resurfacing of controversial tweets, but reversed course that October and reinstated Gunn as director. Gunn's return was revealed in early 2019 along with the five main stars' involvement, with production beginning after Gunn completed his film '' The Suicide Squad'' (2021) and its spin-off series ''Peacemaker'' (2022). Kevin Feige confirmed the film was in development at the July 2019 San Diego Comic-Con. Filming began in November 2021, at Trilith Studios in Atlanta, and concluded in early May 2022. ''Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3'' is scheduled to be released on May 5, 2023.

''Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3'' is set after the events of ''The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special'' (2022).

''The Marvels'' (2023)

Carol Danvers, Kamala Khan, and Monica Rambeau begin swapping places with each other every time they use their powers and must team-up to figure out why.

Feige confirmed a sequel to '' Captain Marvel'' (2019) was in development at the July 2019 San Diego Comic-Con, with Megan McDonnell set to write the script and Brie Larson returning as Carol Danvers / Captain Marvel by January 2020. The studio wanted a female director for the film rather than have Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck return from the first, with Nia DaCosta hired to direct by that August, and she also served as a writer alongside Elissa Karasik and Zeb Wells. The film was announced with the title ''Captain Marvel 2'' in December 2020, with the official title, ''The Marvels'', revealed in May 2021. Second unit filming began in mid-April 2021 in New Jersey, while principal photography had begun by August at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire, Longcross Studios in Surrey, and in Tropea. Shooting also occurred in Los Angeles. Filming wrapped by May 2022. ''The Marvels'' is scheduled to be released on July 28, 2023.

''The Marvels'' is set after the events of the Disney+ series ''Ms. Marvel'' (2022), with Iman Vellani, Saagar Shaikh, Zenobia Shroff, and Mohan Kapur reprising their respective roles as Kamala Khan / Ms. Marvel, Aamir Khan, Muneeba Khan, and Yusuf Khan. Teyonah Parris returns as the adult Monica Rambeau from the series ''WandaVision'' (2021), after the character was previously portrayed as a child by Akira Akbar in ''Captain Marvel''.

''Captain America: New World Order'' (2024)

In April 2021, a fourth ''Captain America'' film was revealed to be in development, with a script co-written by Malcolm Spellman and Dalan Musson. The duo previously served as head writer and a staff writer, respectively, on the Disney+ series ''The Falcon and the Winter Soldier'' (2021). Anthony Mackie joined by August the same year, to headline the film reprising his role as Sam Wilson / Captain America. Julius Onah was chosen to direct in July 2022. The film will explore the effects of becoming Captain America on Wilson. Filming is scheduled to begin in March 2023, at Trilith Studios in Atlanta, to last until that June. ''Captain America: New World Order'' is scheduled to be released on May 3, 2024.

Danny Ramirez and Carl Lumbly reprise their respective roles of Joaquin Torres / Falcon and Isaiah Bradley from ''The Falcon and the Winter Soldier'', alongside Tim Blake Nelson as Samuel Sterns / Leader from ''The Incredible Hulk'' (2008). Harrison Ford portrays Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross, replacing the late William Hurt from previous MCU films.

''Thunderbolts'' (2024)

A group of antiheroes goes on missions for the government.

By June 2022, a ''Thunderbolts'' film was in development, with Jake Schreier attached to direct, and Eric Pearson writing the screenplay. In September, the Thunderbolts team was announced to include Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes / Winter Soldier / White Wolf, Hannah John-Kamen as Ava Starr / Ghost, Wyatt Russell as John Walker / U.S. Agent, Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova / Black Widow, David Harbour as Alexei Shostakov / Red Guardian, and Olga Kurylenko as Antonia Dreykov / Taskmaster, all reprising their roles from previous MCU projects. Filming is expected to begin in early 2023, in Atlanta. ''Thunderbolts'' is scheduled to be released on July 26, 2024.

Harrison Ford will reprise his role as Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross from ''Captain America: New World Order''.

''Blade'' (2024)

By May 2013, Marvel Studios had a working script for a new Blade film after regaining the rights following New Line Cinema's prior film series. In February 2019, Mahershala Ali approached Marvel Studios about starring in a new film after previously portraying Cornell "Cottonmouth" Stokes in Marvel Television's ''Luke Cage''. Feige officially announced the film with Ali in the title role that July at San Diego Comic-Con; Ali first had an uncredited voice cameo as Blade in '' Eternals'' (2021). In February 2021, Stacy Osei-Kuffour was hired to write the film, with Bassam Tariq hired to direct by that September. Tariq left a year later due to the film's production shifts. Yann Demange was set to direct in November, when Michael Starrbury was rewriting the script. Filming is expected to begin in early 2023, at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, and will also occur in Cleveland, New Orleans, and Morocco. ''Blade'' is scheduled to be released on September 6, 2024.

The Ebony Blade will be featured in the film after it appeared alongside Blade in ''Eternals''.

Television series

All the series in Phase Five are being released on Disney+.

''What If...?'' season 2

Following the formation of the Guardians of the Multiverse, the Watcher continues to meet new heroes and strange worlds in the Marvel Cinematic Universe multiverse.

The first season of ''What If...?'' premiered in August 2021. In December 2019, work had already begun on the second season. A. C. Bradley and Bryan Andrews return as head writer and director, respectively. The season will debut in early 2023, and will consist of nine episodes.

''Secret Invasion''

A faction of Skrulls have infiltrated all aspects of life on Earth.

By September 2020, Marvel Studios was developing a series centered on Nick Fury, with Samuel L. Jackson reprising his role and Kyle Bradstreet serving as head writer. That December, Marvel Studios revealed the series to be an adaptation of the ''Secret Invasion'' comic book storyline, and confirmed Jackson, with Ben Mendelsohn co-starring as Talos. Filming had begun by September 2021 in London, with Thomas Bezucha and Ali Selim directing episodes of the series. Filming concluded in late April 2022. Additional filming occurred across West Yorkshire and in Liverpool, England. ''Secret Invasion'' is scheduled to be released in early 2023, and will consist of six episodes.

''Secret Invasion'' is set after the events of '' Spider-Man: Far From Home'' (2019). Cobie Smulders, Martin Freeman, and Don Cheadle will reprise their respective MCU roles of Maria Hill, Everett K. Ross, and James "Rhodey" Rhodes.

''Loki'' season 2

The first season of ''Loki'' premiered in June 2021. Development on a second season had begun by November 2020, with season one head writer Michael Waldron expected to once again be involved "in some capacity" by January 2021. The season was officially confirmed in July 2021, along with Tom Hiddleston returning to star as Loki. By February 2022, Eric Martin was set to write the season, with Waldron as an executive producer. Filming began in mid-June 2022, at Pinewood Studios in the United Kingdom, with Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead directing the majority of episodes, and concluded that October. The second season of ''Loki'' is scheduled to be released in mid-2023, and will consist of six episodes.

''Ironheart''

In December 2020, Marvel Studios announced a series centered on Riri Williams / Ironheart was in development starring Dominique Thorne, reprising her role from the film '' Black Panther: Wakanda Forever'' (2022). Chinaka Hodge was hired as head writer in April 2021. Ryan Coogler, writer and director of ''Black Panther'' (2018) and ''Black Panther: Wakanda Forever'', co-develops the series through his company Proximity Media, as does 20th Television. Filming had begun by early June 2022, at Trilith Studios in Atlanta, with Sam Bailey and Angela Barnes directing episodes of the series. Filming also occurred in Chicago by late October, and concluded in early November. ''Ironheart'' is scheduled to be released in late 2023, and will consist of six episodes.

''Ironheart'' is set after the events of ''Black Panther: Wakanda Forever''.

''Echo''

Maya Lopez returns to her hometown after the events in New York City, where she must come to terms with her past, while reconnecting with her Native American roots, and embrace her family and community.

Development on a spin-off from the series '' Hawkeye'' (2021) starring Alaqua Cox as Maya Lopez / Echo began by March 2021, with Etan Cohen and Emily Cohen set to write and executive produce. ''Echo'' was officially announced that November, when Marion Dayre was revealed to be serving as head writer. 20th Television co-produces the series. Filming began in late April 2022, and concluded in late August, occurring throughout the Atlanta metropolitan area in Atlanta, Peachtree City, Social Circle, and Grantville, Georgia, with Sydney Freeland and Catriona McKenzie directing episodes of the series. ''Echo'' is expected to be released in late 2023, around that December.

''Echo'' is set after the events of ''Hawkeye'' and leads into the events of '' Daredevil: Born Again''. Zahn McClarnon reprises his role as William Lopez from ''Hawkeye'', along with Vincent D'Onofrio as Wilson Fisk / Kingpin and Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock / Daredevil from previous MCU media.

''Agatha: Coven of Chaos''

Development on a spin-off from the series ''WandaVision'' starring Kathryn Hahn as Agatha Harkness began by October 2021, with Jac Schaeffer set to write and executive produce. The series was initially announced in November 2021 as ''Agatha: House of Harkness'', until it was retitled in July 2022. 20th Television co-produces the series. Filming had begun in mid-December 2022, at Trilith Studios in Atlanta, with Schaeffer and Gandja Monteiro directing episodes of the series. Filming is expected to last until late May 2023. ''Agatha: Coven of Chaos'' is scheduled to be released in late 2023, and will consist of nine episodes.

Emma Caulfield Ford and Debra Jo Rupp reprise their respective roles as Sarah Proctor / "Dottie Jones" and Sharon Davis / "Mrs. Hart" from ''WandaVision''.

''Daredevil: Born Again''

In March 2022, a new '' Daredevil'' project was revealed to be in development with Feige as a producer, after Disney regained the rights to the series from Netflix and it began streaming on Disney+. The series was confirmed to be in development for Disney+ in May, with Matt Corman and Chris Ord attached as head writers and executive producers, and was officially announced in July with Charlie Cox and Vincent D'Onofrio returning as Matt Murdock / Daredevil and Wilson Fisk / Kingpin, respectively. 20th Television co-produces the series. Filming is scheduled to begin in February 2023 in New York to last until that December. ''Daredevil: Born Again'' is scheduled to be released in early 2024, and will consist of 18 episodes.

''Daredevil: Born Again'' is set after the events of ''Echo''.

Timeline

''Secret Invasion'' is set after the events of ''Spider-Man: Far From Home''. ''The Marvels'' is set after the events of ''Ms. Marvel''. ''Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3'' is set after the events of ''The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special''. ''Echo'' is set after the events of ''Hawkeye''. ''Ironheart'' is set after the events of ''Black Panther: Wakanda Forever''. ''Daredevil: Born Again'' is set after the events of ''Echo''.

Recurring cast and characters

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Phase Five, Marvel Cinematic Universe

2023 beginnings
English-language television shows
Phase 5