Marvel Phase 5: Every Entry, Explained

As a longtime Marvel fan who has witnessed the evolution of the MCU over the years, I must say that the lineup for Phase 5 is nothing short of exhilarating! From the return of fan-favorites like Ironheart and the enigmatic Thunderbolts team, to the introduction of new characters like Bob the Sentry and Parker Robbins’ Hood, it seems that the Marvel creators have truly outdone themselves this time.

It is over a year since the Marvel Cinematic Universe kicked off Phase 5, and it has been an interesting road, to say the least. While some audience members might have had issues with Phase 4, there is no doubt that it was still riding the high of the Infinity Saga as movies like Spider-Man: No Way Home, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever were all box office hits, while series like WandaVision and Loki received praise from critics. Phase 5 has been a roller coaster as it had its first true flop with The Marvels right before one of the biggest hits in the franchise, Deadpool & Wolverine. The series Secret Invasion was labeled one of the worst MCU series ever made by fans, while Agatha All Along was a surprise hit with critics.

This period, known as Phase 5, required Marvel Studios to make a mid-course adjustment. Originally, Kang the Conqueror was set to be the main antagonist in the leading film of this phase and Loki Season 2, which were both slated for release in the same year. However, actor Jonathan Majors, who was cast as Kang, was arrested for domestic abuse in March 2023, and later found guilty in a court of law, resulting in his dismissal in December 2023.

Yet the Phase 5 lineup of titles reflects an exciting transition point in the franchise. It is an era filled with anti-heroes like Echo, Deadpool, Agatha, and the Thunderbolts* and legacy titles like Captain America, Captain Marvel, Ant-Man, and Guardians of the Galaxy looking towards the future and who will carry on their legacies. A mixture of cosmic and multiversal tales exists alongside grounded geopolitical and crime dramas. Phase 5 is the middle chapter, and much like The Empire Strikes Back, it is the darkest chapter in the Multiverse Saga.

Here are all 16 titles in Marvel’s Phase 5 in order of release.

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania – February 17, 2023

The fifth phase of Marvel movies commenced with “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.” This move was meant to be a strong opening, as it offered a comprehensive debut for Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors), who had been hinted at in Loki’s first season during Phase 4. Kang was intended to play the main antagonist in Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. However, these plans were abandoned after Majors’ dismissal and the film was reworked into Avengers: Doomsday. This change leaves the teaser at the end of the movie featuring the Council of Kang as a somewhat confusing setup that appears to lead nowhere.

Despite maintaining its humorous tone typical of the Ant-Man series within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), the latest film, Quantumania, deviated from the previous Ant-Man movies by taking a darker turn. This third installment saw our heroes delving into the Quantum Realm, where they formed an alliance with refugees who had been displaced due to Kang’s ambition to dominate the region. Consequently, these displaced groups faced the destruction of their way of life. In this film, we were introduced to a grown-up Cassie Lang (played by Kathryn Newton), and the original Ant-Man villain Darren Cross reappeared as the MCU’s M.O.D.O.K. Initially, Kang’s defeat in Quantumania was meant to be temporary, but it seems to have turned into a decisive victory. Interestingly, the greater threat hinted at by Kang won’t stem from his variants but rather Doctor Doom.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 – May 5, 2023

Initially planned as the kickoff for Phase 4, the production of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 was postponed following James Gunn’s dismissal. Afterward, Marvel Studios reinstated him, but there was a delay while he completed filming and editing his project, The Suicide Squad, for Warner Bros. The long-awaited third installment of the series, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, finally hit theaters in May 2023 – nearly nine years after the debut of the first film and coincidentally on the same date as the release of its predecessor, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, back in 2017.

In this tale, I find myself immersed in the swan song of the present incarnation of the Guardians of the Galaxy, where we face off against The High Evolutionary, portrayed by Chukwudi Iwuji, who is pivotal to the creation of Rocket Raccoon, voiced by Bradley Cooper. This film primarily delves into Rocket’s transformation and his background, but it also sheds light on the intricate bond between Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) and the altered Gamora from Avengers: Endgame, and the cohesive force that binds our motley crew together. The film further introduces Will Poulter as Adam Warlock, a character hinted at in the closing scene of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. This cinematic journey feels like the culmination of an epoch, as it shows the Guardians going their separate ways at the end, with only Quill’s potential return subtly suggested in the customary tag.

Secret Invasion – June 21 to July 26, 2023

A spy espionage series, Secret Invasion is based on the 2008 comic book event of the same name. In it, the Skrulls infiltrate multiple points of Earth culture to take control of it. When it was announced as a series for Disney+, it seemed like an odd call as the Skrulls shown in Captain Marvel were depicted as refugees and heroic characters in contrast to the villainous Kree. Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) leads the series and is joined by established characters like James Rhodes aka War Machine (Don Cheadle), Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders), Everett Ross (Martin Freeman), Talos (Ben Mendelsohn), and G’iah (Emilia Clarke), as well as newly introduced Sonya Falsworth (Olivia Colman).

The series reveals that after the events of Captain Marvel, Nick Fury has been collaborating with Talos and his Skrull group for three decades, aiming to provide a stable home for the displaced Skrulls. However, due to Fury’s 5-year absence during the Blip and subsequent departure from the planet, some Skrulls grew disillusioned by broken promises, leading them down a darker path. In the end, Fury and his allies manage to neutralize this particular threat, but the final episode sees the U.S. President advocating for open war against hidden Skrulls, resulting in vigilantes who indiscriminately target both Skrulls and humans (with the assassination of the UK’s Prime Minister being a significant event). Unfortunately, Secret Invasion received poor reviews and is often criticized as one of the weakest entries in the MCU.

Loki Season 2 – October 5 to November 9, 2023

The live-action MCU series “Loki” is the first to secure a second season, resuming where the first left off. In “Loki” Season 2, Loki (Tom Hiddleston) uncovers the hidden origins of the Time Variance Authority, which were created by He Who Remains. The characters, including Mobius (Owen Wilson), Hunter B-15 (Wunmi Mosaku), Casey (Eugene Cordero), and newcomer Ouroboros (Ke Huy Quan), join forces to locate Sylvie (Sophia Di Martino) after she killed He Who Remains, potentially putting the entire multiverse in jeopardy. Simultaneously, they pursue Renslayer (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) and Miss Minutes (Tara Strong) to prevent them from meeting Victor Timely (Jonathan Majors), who will become He Who Remains in the future.

I must say, I found myself utterly captivated by the second season of Loki. It built significantly upon its predecessor and concluded the story in a way that left me thoroughly satisfied. Contrary to expectations, Kang’s introduction in the Season 1 finale of Loki allowed for a surprisingly seamless resolution of his storyline here.

The Marvels – November 10, 2023

The Marvels might not be an Avengers movie, but it carries the spirit of one by being a grand ensemble film that brings together Captain Marvel (Brie Larson), Kamala Khan aka Ms. Marvel (Iman Vellani), and Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris). This dynamic trio of superheroes find their powers intertwined, so when they use their abilities simultaneously, they swap places, reminiscent of the Captain Marvel/Rick Jones relationship in 60s and 70s Marvel Comics. The story finds Kamala Khan meeting her idol, Captain Marvel for the first time, while Monica Rambeau and Carol Danvers work to mend their strained bond hinted at in WandaVision. Furthermore, the film explains why Captain Marvel was absent from Earth after her initial movie, revealing that she destroyed the Kree homeworld by eliminating the Supreme Intelligence. The destruction led to chaos across the galaxy and a new adversary, Dar-Benn (Zawe Ashton), who seeks vengeance against Captain Marvel for the havoc wreaked.

Regrettably, “The Marvels” marked an unexpected setback for the Marvel Cinematic Universe as it became the first box office disappointment within the franchise. The main hurdle faced by “The Marvels” was that the cast was unable to publicize the film during its production due to the SAG-AFTRA Strike, which was settled only a day before its release in cinemas. Intriguingly, “The Marvels” seemed to hint at significant advancements for the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Kamala Khan enlisted Kate Bishop (Hailee Steinfeld) from “Hawkeye” for a potential future Young Avengers project. Meanwhile, Monica Rambeau managed to prevent an incursion by sealing a space-time rift, only to find herself marooned in another universe – a variant of the 20th Century Fox X-Men timeline, where she was cared for by Beast (Kelsey Grammer) and a version of her mother Maria Rambeau (Lashana Lynch). Here’s hoping these captivating storylines will bear fruit in future installments.

What If…? Season 2 – December 22nd to December 30, 2024

If Season 2 of “What If…?” followed the same release schedule as Season 1 and premiered following the season of “Loki,” which reshaped the Multiverse, it would offer an array of intriguing ideas. For example, there’s a space noir detective story where Nebula becomes part of the Nova Corp, a holiday-themed episode centered around Happy Hogan, and an episode inspired by Marvel’s 1602 comic. Additionally, this season introduces a new character made exclusively for the MCU, a Mohawk woman named Kahhori in a scenario where the Tesseract landed in pre-colonized America.

Although What If…? appears to be an anthology series, Season 2 followed seamlessly from Season 1 by presenting another Captain Carter episode and introducing Strange Supreme. The series was broadcast during the festive season of 2023, with Marvel Studios unveiling a fresh episode daily from December 22nd through December 30th, wrapping up the year in grand style.

Echo – January 9, 2024

In a new show called Echo, Alaqua Cox reappears as Maya Lopez, a character spun off from Hawkeye. This series concentrates on Maya’s homecoming to her Oklahoma town, where she grapples with her past, renews ties with her Native American heritage, and strengthens bonds with her family and community. The show also brings back Charlie Cox as Daredevil and Vincent D’Onofrio as the Kingpin, and sets the stage for the upcoming series, Daredevil: Born Again.

In a groundbreaking move for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), the series titled Echo shattered several firsts. It marked the debut of the TV-MA rating within the MCU, initiating a new banner named Marvel Presents. This banner is intended to focus on more mature, realistic narratives with fewer ties to the broader cinematic universe. Simultaneously premiering on Hulu and Disney+, Echo holds the title as the shortest MCU series yet, consisting of only five episodes in total.

X-Men ’97 – March 20 to May 15, 2024

The animated series X-Men ’97 is somewhat unique and challenging to classify. While it follows from X-Men: The Animated Series and doesn’t tie into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) continuity, it surprisingly appears on Disney+ as part of the MCU Multiverse Saga timeline. This might seem unusual, considering that its initial reception faced challenges due to the dismissal of showrunner Beau DeMayo a week before the series premiere on Disney+, which led to a public dispute with Marvel and Disney over the reasons for his termination. However, despite these early setbacks, X-Men ’97 has generated significant buzz, making headlines not only within the MCU but also in television discussions of 2024.

The revamped version of “X-Men: The Animated Series,” titled “X-Men ’97,” surpassed its predecessor by incorporating legendary comic book storylines such as “Operation Zero Tolerance,” “E is for Extinction,” and paving the way for “Age of Apocalypse.” With exceptional animation, outstanding voice acting, and sophisticated writing, X-Men ’97 reignited fan enthusiasm and underscored why the X-Men had initially captivated audiences. In 2024, it seemed like the year belonged to the X-Men, with the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s upcoming release continuing this trend.

Deadpool & Wolverine – July 26, 2024

2024 witnessed the phenomenal success of “Deadpool & Wolverine” movie, earning a staggering $1.3 billion globally, placing it fifth among all MCU titles in terms of box office collection. This film was not only the third installment featuring Deadpool but also marked his grand debut within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It was also the comeback of Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, who had been absent for a while due to industry strikes in 2023. The unique circumstance was that “Deadpool & Wolverine” was the only MCU film released in 2024, thanks to the Writer’s Guild and Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (WGA and SAG-AFTRA) strikes of that year. The story unfolds when Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) learns that the TVA intends to eliminate his universe after the demise of its anchor, Wolverine. In an effort to save his universe, Deadpool enlists a variant of Wolverine to take over his role. However, they both find themselves trapped in the Void at the Edge of Time, necessitating them to cooperate to rescue Deadpool’s universe and help this new Wolverine discover his purpose.

The movie featuring Deadpool and Wolverine was a hit among the crowd, which is surprising given that a large portion of the film consists of self-referential humor based on film trivia, such as the 2019 purchase of 20th Century Fox by Disney and the transfer of the X-Men film franchise rights to Marvel. The film successfully engaged viewers by acknowledging their criticisms of recent Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) productions and Multiverse weariness, incorporating some amusing jokes.

Agatha All Along – September 18, 2024 to October 30, 2024

It’s no surprise that, given Kathryn Hahn’s captivating portrayal of Agatha Harkness in WandaVision, Marvel Studios decided to develop a standalone project featuring her character. After much speculation and playful marketing, the series titled “Agatha All Along” was released on Disney+ in September 2024 and ran through October, becoming the highly-anticipated Halloween event series on the platform. The plot unfolds with Agatha Harkness being freed from the spell cast by the Scarlet Witch at the end of WandaVision. Without her powers, she forms a coven and embarks on a journey along the legendary witches’ road. Along this path, Agatha Harkness is accompanied by a enigmatic Teen who reveals himself to be Billy Maximoff, also known as Wiccan, the son of Wanda Maximoff and Vision. His soul managed to escape the hex and found a new home in the body of a recently deceased teenager, William Kaplan.

Although some may have raised doubts about a series centered around Agatha Harkness, it turned out to be popular on Disney+, experiencing a surge in viewership during the Halloween season. Agatha All Along has also become crucial for the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s future developments, as it introduces Wiccan from the Young Avengers and unveils that Aubrey Plaza’s character, Rio Vadal, embodies Death within the MCU. With a third series focusing on Vision planned for Phase 6, Marvel appears to be creating a trilogy with a fresh installment in each phase. WandaVision commenced Phase 4, Agatha All Along is scheduled towards the end of Phase 5, and the Vision series will likely air during Phase 6.

What If…? Season 3 – December 22, 2024

For two years, fans had to wait for Season 2 of What If…?, but they’ll only have a year between Seasons 2 and 3. Interestingly, Season 3 of What If…? is scheduled to air on the same date as Season 2 did in 2023. It will follow a similar pattern, with one episode being released each day until December 30, 2024. This makes it one of only four occasions where entries from the same series have been released within the same Phase. Previous instances include Iron Man and Iron Man 2 in Phase 1, as well as Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, and Spider-Man: Homecoming and Spider-Man: Far From Home in Phase 3.

The third season of the “What If…?” anthology series is slated as its finale, and while specific details are scarce, it’s confirmed that some episodes will be featured. One of these episodes will have the Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan) and Red Guardian (David Harbour) joining forces in the 1980s, hinting at their dynamic in the upcoming “Thunderbolts” series. Another episode will focus on Sam Wilson donning a Captain America-inspired mech suit. Characters from Phase 4, such as Shang-Chi, Agatha Harkness, and Moon Knight, are also anticipated to make an appearance.

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man-January 29, 2025

As a devoted cinephile, I find a striking similarity between the ’90s animated classic, X-Men, and the latest incarnation of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man. Both series exist beyond the confines of their respective movie continuities yet seem to be integrated into the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Phase 5, primarily due to the intriguing concept of the MCU multiverse.

Initially known as “Spider-Man: Freshman Year” when it was announced in November 2021, the title of this upcoming series has been altered to “Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man“. This change was made to distinguish it from the Tom Holland Spider-Man films and create a unique perspective on the web-slinger. The show will introduce several Marvel characters as part of Spider-Man’s circle, including Nico Minoru from The Runaways, Amadeus Cho (who later transforms into Totally Awesome Hulk), Doctor Strange, and Charlie Cox voicing a Daredevil variant. Anticipate appearances by numerous Spidey villains such as Doc Ock, Scorpion, Chameleon, Rhino, Venom, and White Rabbit. Whether it aligns with the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s multiverse plans or not, this new animated Spider-Man series is definitely something to get excited about.

Captain America: Brave New World – February 14, 2025

Fans had been aware that a fourth installment in the Captain America series was on its way, announced during the season finale of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Initially, the release date and title were unveiled at Comic-Con 2022 as Captain America: New World Order, slated for May 3, 2024. However, after the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, it was postponed to 2025. Now, the title has been adjusted to Captain America: Brave New World. In this new Captain America movie, Sam Wilson (played by Anthony Mackie) will endeavor to expose a conspiracy after an assassination attempt on President Thadeus Ross (portrayed by Harrison Ford, replacing the late William Hurt).

In the upcoming film “Captain America: Brave New World,” Sam Wilson will receive aid from his associate Joaquin Torres, who assumes the role of the new Falcon. Together, they confront a multitude of perils, such as Sidewinder, the leader of the Serpent Society (portrayed by Giancarlo Esposito), Ruth Bat-Seraph (Shira Haas), a former Black Widow agent now working for Ross, and the reemergence of Samuel Sterns, also known as The Leader (Tim Blake Nelson), last seen in “The Incredible Hulk.” Given The Leader’s return, along with Liv Tyler’s portrayal of Betty Ross and Ross’ transformation into The Red Hulk, it seems that “Captain America: Brave New World” could serve as a covert sequel to “The Incredible Hulk.

Daredevil: Born Again – March 4, 2025

After acquiring streaming rights for the Defenders characters, Marvel Studios has been making full use of them, especially Daredevil/Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox). Following his Netflix show, he made a cameo appearance in Spider-Man: No Way Home as Peter Parker’s lawyer. This was followed by a mix of professional and personal interactions with Jennifer Walters in She-Hulk: Attorney At Law. Daredevil also appeared in a notable scene in the first episode of Echo, hinting at his own upcoming series, titled Daredevil: Born Again. In this new series, we can expect to see the return of Daredevil, Kingpin (Vincent D’Onofrio), and other characters like Frank Castle/The Punisher (Jon Bernthal) and Bullseye (Wilson Bethel). Daredevil: Born Again is scheduled to debut on Disney+ in March 2025, marking seven years since the series was canceled on Netflix in 2018. The release date coincides almost exactly with the original Daredevil premiere date.

One factor contributing to the delay was that the production experienced major overhauls off-screen. The initial writers were let go and a fresh creative team was introduced to align the series more with the style and narrative flow of the Netflix Daredevil series. In this revamped version, characters like Karen Page (Deborah Ann Woll), Foggy Nelson (Elden Henson), and Vanessa Fisk (Ayelet Zurer) will make a comeback. Moreover, there will be subtle nods to the broader Marvel Universe, as Mohan Kapur reprises his character as Kamala Khan/Ms. Marvel’s father, Yusuf Khan. The series will also introduce Hector Ayala/The White Tiger, portrayed by Kamar de los Reyes, although he tragically passed away in December 2023 and will appear posthumously. Given the success of the Netflix Daredevil series, Daredevil: Born Again is undoubtedly one of the most eagerly awaited titles in Phase 5.

Thunderbolts* – May 2, 2025

Instead of previous Marvel Phases concluding with an Avengers-style team-up movie, Phase 5 will take a different approach, culminating in the anti-hero film “Thunderbolts” starring a diverse and unusual group of characters. The formation of this team is orchestrated by Contessa Valentina Allegra de la Fontaine (played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus), the Director of the CIA. Besides Val, the team will consist of Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), Red Guardian (David Harbour), Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Bucky Barnes aka The Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan), US Agent (Wyatt Russell), Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko), and a character named Bob, who will be played by Lewis Pullman in the role originally intended for Steven Yeun due to scheduling issues. Additionally, Geraldine Viswanathan has been cast as Mel, Contessa’s assistant, replacing Ayo Edebiri who had to withdraw because of scheduling conflicts.

The film titled “Thunderbolts*” has sparked intrigue since production started, with Kevin Feige hinting at its significance, yet details won’t be unveiled until its release on May 2, 2025. Some speculate that it might conceal the movie being a Dark Avengers film, while others suspect it could be a playful nod given the forced teamwork in the trailer and the persistent use of “Thunderbolts” as an unchanged placeholder name. This anticipated final film for Phase 5 of the MCU promises to weave together storylines from “Black Widow,” “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” and “Ant-Man and the Wasp.” However, it’s the potential influence on the future of the MCU that has everyone eagerly waiting.

Ironheart – June 24, 2025

For the first time, viewers were introduced to Riri Williams, also known as Ironheart, in the movie “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” during 2022. Dominique Thorne will continue her portrayal of Riri Williams in the upcoming series “Ironheart“, with Anthony Ramos taking on the role of the villain Parker Robbins/The Hood, Lyric Ross as Riri’s best friend Natalie Washington, and Alden Ehrenreich as Joe McGillicuddy. The story unfolds as Riri Williams is expelled from MIT and returns to Chicago, where she becomes entangled in a struggle between technology and magic.

The journey of Ironheart from concept to screen has been a lengthy one. Initial discussions about the series started in 2021, and filming was completed in November 2022. However, the series has faced delays for close to three years, with reshoots happening between February and April 2024. The reasons behind these long delays remain unclear, as it seems more appropriate to release the series around the time of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Similar to how Black Panther: Wakanda Forever concluded Phase 4 of the MCU with The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special the following month, Riri Williams will now wrap up another phase of the MCU and conclude airing right before Phase 6 begins with The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

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2024-11-10 02:03