MARVEL PHASE 3 PRESS CONFERENCE

THE ROAD TO THE INFINITY WAR

Not to be outdone from the vast amount of information that Warner Bros. released concerning its expansion of the DC Comics Movie Universe, Marvel Studios held a press conference this afternoon outlining their plans for phase 3 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe!!!

When Marvel chooses to release information, they don’t hold anything back!

Instead of saving this juicy information for San Diego Comic Con, Marvel opted for an impromptu press event gathering the members of the press, as well as fans to assemble (pun intended) at the El Capitan theater in Holllywood.

Many stars were in attendance, including Anthony and Joe Russo, the directors of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, who are also overseeing the third Cap film.  Also, Avengers writer-director and Marvel movie “godfather” Joss Whedon was seen chatting with Marvel Studios co-president Louis D’Esposito.

To begin, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige took the stage: “I’m going to show you something you’ve already seen, thanks to the good people of H.Y.D.R.A. … The teaser for Avengers: Age of Ultron.”  Nice shot at the internet leaks (I guess we can blame Hydra for everything)

Feige acknowledges Whedon in the audience and mentions the success of Guardians of the Galaxy: “You like new things. You like things that are fresh.”

Feige announces that he’s going to reveal Marvel’s Phase 3: the fans roar.

The subtitle for Captain America 3 (out May 6, 2016) will apparently be Serpent Society. (Some fans seem to be over Hydra references and wanted a Civil War film…but we can come back to this at the end of the article)

Feige wants to introduce everyone to a new concept: Doctor Strange. Promises amazing visuals, yet does not announce the Cumberbatch casting leak (http://motionpictureclubs.com/2014/10/dr-strange-casting-announcement/).  Doctor Strange will release on November 4, 2016!

Next up, James Gunn, director of Guardians of the Galaxy, appears in a video from Japan to announce that the sequel will be released on May 5, 2017.  This is the highly coveted beginning of summer date that most blockbusters kill for.  Marvel undoubtedly trusts this new franchise after their strong box office success.

Feige returns to the stage and announces “The return of one of the most popular avengers.” Chris Hemsworth (Thor) and Tom Hiddleston (Loki) will return in  Thor: Ragnarok on July 28, 2017.

Now, Feige makes a HUGE announcement: Black Panther will be released on Nov.3, 2017!

Marvel also released a concept image.  Feige mentions that he has already shown everyone an Easter Egg, which will lead into Black Panther.  Andy Serkis is rumored to play Klaw, a notorious Panther villain.  Serkis was seen in the trailer for the Avengers: Age of Ultron.  Black Panther will focus on how the isolated country of Wakanda meets the world.

Marvel announces their first superhero film to feature a woman:  Captain Marvel.  Feige mentions that “This hero’s name is Carol Danvers.” It’s date will be July 6, 2018

Feige drops another bombshell by announcing the Inhumans, which will release on Nov. 2, 2018.

Now, for the giant piece of news everyone was waiting to hear.  The third installment of Avengers will be split into two parts: Infinity War: Part I, on May 4, 2018, and  Infinity War: Part II, coming out a year later on May 3, 2019.

Feige says he’s having second thoughts about that subtitle for Captain America 3. A new title card appears, giving the fans what they want: Civil War.

Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans walk out from opposite sides of the stage and raise their fists when they meet in the center.

“This is heartbreaking to me. I can’t believe something would come between us,” said Evans.

“Yeah well, you know. Get used to it. Sometimes you’ve just gotta pick a side,” said Downey

Downey introduces an actor who will face that question in Civil War: Chadwick Boseman (42; Get On Up) will portray the protagonist of Black Panther.

“Welcome to the fray…what do you think, do you want to drift one way or the other?” Downey asked Boseman.

“Well, Iron Man, Captain America, as much as I respect you both….as much as I respect you both, Black Panther is kind of his own guy. So I’m not going to decide today. In all seriousness, I’m blessed to be part of this Marvel Universe and I’m looking forward to making magic together,” said Boseman.

Feige tells reporters that Hulk and Mark Ruffalo will appear in all of the Avengers films, but he has not yet set a stand-alone for him. “Who will be in what movie is a spoiler, due to what will happen to them in the earlier movies,” he says.

Feige ends the conference with a definitive statement: “Anything that wasn’t specifically revealed today  is either not true at all or still rumor.”

I am definitely excited about the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.  There seems to be a great synergy between the movie and film universes, and the great success of Guardians has emboldened Marvel to take some risky chances.  While I would’ve loved to see a standalone Hulk film that could build towards World War Hulk, I am relieved to finally see a Black Panther movie get a release date with an excellent casting option.  Boseman will definitely knock the role out of the park (pun intended) as he has proved himself in portraying Jackie Robinson and James Brown in recent years.  Adding him to Civil War film with Iron Man and Captain America, will basically turn that film into a pseudo-Avengers story.  It’s wonderful to see some surprise announcements like Captain Marvel and Inhumans.  The future is very bright for Marvel fans.

On that note, check out an image of Thanos with the Infinity Gauntlet: