We may only be one move into Phase Two, but Marvel Studios is already laying down its plans for the next slate of movies post-The Avengers 2 in 2015; we already know that Phase Three will get underway in November 2015 with Edgar Wright’s Ant-Man, while the studio recently set release dates for two as yet-unrevealed movies on May 6th, 2016 and May 5th, 2017 respectively. Now we can add another to that list, with Disney adding a third mystery Marvel movie to its schedule, which is set to arrive in cinemas on July 8th, 2016.
At present, we can only speculate as to the identities of these Phase Three movies, although with Robert Downey Jr. signing a new contract to reprise the role of Tony Stark in The Avengers 2 and The Avengers 3, we can presumably scratch Iron Man 4 from the list of potential candidates. There is of course the possibility of further solo outings for one or more of The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America and Guardians of the Galaxy, and the long-rumoured Doctor Strange and Black Panther movies must surely both be high in the betting. Marvel has also recently reacquired the rights to several properties, including Daredevil, Blade, The Punisher and Ghost Rider (do we really need another Ghost Rider so soon?), while other possibilities include the likes of Inhumans, Runaways, Luke Cage and Ms. Marvel.
With the San Diego Comic-Con looming, it would seem highly unlikely we’ll get any concrete info on these movies beforehand, but between these Phase Three offerings and an expected announcement from Warner Bros. about the future of its DC Movie Universe post-Man of Steel, next month is certainly shaping up to be an exciting time for superhero movie fans.
Originally published June 24, 2013. Updated December 13, 2019.
