At SDCC, Marvel made some huge announcements, and set the stage for the next few years in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The announcements cover the rest ofwhat is called Phase Five, which began with 2023’s Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania, and extends beyond, to the planned Phase Six.
The announcements came after arelatively dry year for Marvel, which only has one big feature film release in 2024, the mega-blockbusterDeadpool & Wolverine, the first R-rated film in the official MCU. But in 2025, things are set to kick back into gear with four films currently planned for release, including some fan favorites and heavy hitters from the world of Marvel comics.
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Captain America: Brave New World
Sam Wilson picks up the shield
Next up for the MCU is the highly-anticipated Captain America Brave New World, the first feature film with Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson taking up the shield as Captain America. In the movie, Sam finds himself embroiled in an international conspiracy, and he must find a way to stop the shadowy people pulling all the strings. The movie also stars Danny Ramirez as the new Falcon, Joaquin Torres, along with Shira Haas, Xosha Raquemore, Carl Lumbly, Giancarlo Esposito, Liv Tyler, Tim Blake Nelson, and Harrison Ford as President Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, aka Red Hulk. Julius Onah is directing the film.
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Thunderbolts*
Antiheroes assemble
Thunderbolts
In Thunderbolts*, a group of Marvel antiheroes go on a dangerous mission on behalf of the US government. Not much is known yet about the plot, or why there’s an asterisk attached to the movie’s title, but the cast is sure to inspire plenty of excitement. Sebastian Stan returns in the film as Bucky Barnes, alongside Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, David Harbour as Red Guardian, Julia Louis-Drefus as CIA Director Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, Wyatt Russell as super-soldier John Walker, Hannah John-Kamen as Ava Starr, aka Ghost, Olga Kurylenko as Taskmaster, and Lewis Pullman as Sentry. Plus, Harrison Ford also joins in on the fun as Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross.
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The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Marvel goes retro
The Fantastic Four are finally joining the MCU, and at SDCC new details and the official title were announced. The Fantastic Four: First Steps will feature a retro-future style, reminiscent of The Jetsons, set in the 1960s. Pedro Pascal leads the team as Reed Richards, aka Mr. Fantastic. Joining him are Vanessa Kirby as Susan Storm, The Invisible Woman; Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm, The Human Torch; and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm, aka The Thing. The film will also star Julia Garner as the Silver Surfer, Ralph Ineson as Galactus, as well as John Malkovich, Paul Walter Hauser, and Natasha Lyonne. Michael Giacchino will write the musical score, while Matt Shakman directs.
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The vampire slayer is back
Long delayed, Marvel is finally gearing up to release the hotly anticipated reboot of fan-favorite Blade, this time with Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali stepping into the role as the half-mortal, half-immortal vampire slayer. Few details are known about the plot, and there is currently no director attached, but the film is currently set for release in November 2025.
Robert Downey Jr. returning to the MCU as Dr. Doom
Robert Downey Jr. is returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in a new role.. as Dr. Doom
Avengers: Doomsday
Robert Downey Jr. is back!
The biggest reveal at SDCC was the return ofRobert Downey Jr. to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, this time as Doctor Doom, the classic Fantastic Four villain. Little is known about the film, but it will feature the Fantastic Four, along with other current heroes from the MCU. Also returning are directors Joe and Anthony Russo, who last helmed Avengers: Endgame in the franchise.
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Avengers: Secret Wars
The big finale
Everything is leading up to Avengers: Secret Wars, the second part of the next big outing for this phase of the Avengers team. Robert Downey Jr. will again star as Doctor Doom in the film, while still facing off against the new Fantastic Four cast, among other big heroes. The Russo Brothers are returning to direct Secret Wars as well.
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Beyond phase six
These Marvel projects are still coming together
Few details have been announced about the MCU beyond the planned Phase Six, but we do know about some films currently in the works.
Armor Wars
Originally developed as a Disney+ series, Armor wars see Don Cheadle reprising his role as James Rhodes, aka War Machine, along with Walton Goggins as Sonny Burch from Ant-Man and the Wasp.
Untitled Spider-Man: No Way Home Sequel
Though little is known about the next film in the Spider-Man series, Tom Holland is expected to return as Peter Parker for a new adventure, with filming expected to start in fall 2024.
Untitled Shang-Chi Sequel
Simu Liu is expected to return for another adventure following up the martial arts superhero hit Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
Untitled X-Men Movie
With 20th Century Studios now firmly a part of Disney, and the old Fox heroes free to follow in Deadpool and Wolverine’s footsteps in joining the MCU, plans are in the works for the X-Men to officially join the franchise in a blockbuster movie.
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