MARVEL STUDIOS’ PHASE 4 BEGINS WITH BLACK WIDOW

As the final resting place among the pantheon of MCU blockbusters is decided, the new Marvel Studios spy thriller, Black Widow gives us a new look at its titular character and supporting cast via new digital posters from Walt Disney Studios. President & Creative Content Officer of Marvel Entertainment, Kevin Feige has been a bit aloof in answering questions about the sequential phases following the first three that make up The Infinity Saga. Today, in Disney’s public statement, we see that the rumors of “phases ending in The MCU” are completely off the mark. Things are only getting started!

As per Marvel Studios’ parent company, Walt Disney Studios:

“Natasha Romanoff aka Black Widow confronts the darker parts of her ledger when a dangerous conspiracy with ties to her past arises. Pursued by a force that will stop at nothing to bring her down, Natasha must deal with her history as a spy and the broken relationships left in her wake long before she became an Avenger. Scarlett Johansson reprises her role as Natasha/Black Widow, Florence Pugh stars as Yelena, David Harbour portrays Alexei/The Red Guardian, and Rachel Weisz is Melina. The feature film is directed by Cate Shortland and produced by Kevin Feige, “Black Widow”—the first film in Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.”

So does this mean that the Disney+ series, The Falcon And The Winter Soldier is now the official end of Phase 3?

The images are bold and promising of a new league of prominent characters in Phase 4. I couldn’t help but notice that actor, O-T Fagbenle has been given a poster along with the mysterious villain from Marvel lore, Taskmaster. Both go unmentioned making me curious if they are one in the same. I guess we will have to see the movie to figure that mystery out. (The digital posters are posted below.)

Recently Marvel Studios also released a montage video aimed at encouraging consumers to “come back to the movies”. Knowing that their big sales occur in the box office, Marvel seeks to ramp up excitement for Natasha Romanoff’s prequel, and Yelena Belova‘s introduction to fans as “the new Black Widow”. Mr. Feige has stated that the phase structure actually begins as an internal device to plot the studio giant’s future stories, including movies & their hit streaming series released on Disney+. Both Feige’s Investor Day 2020 presentation (last December) and this new video seem to end with the new logo for the highly awaited Fantastic Four live action film. Placement of this title card at the end of both promotional devices creates the idea that as Black Widow is the beginning of Phase 4, Marvel’s First Family may be ending it with a big bang & the creation of their own cinematic trilogy.

We can only keep our eyes & ears open and hope to see our favorite superhero team while waiting for more signals in the sky. Black Widow makes her stealthy solo debut in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access (for $29.99 plus their monthly subscription) in most Disney+ markets on July 9, 2021. Are you excited for this and the future of The Marvel Cinematic Multiverse? Do you think Phase 4 will end with Marvel welcoming Reed, Sue, Johnny & Ben home in their first homegrown live action opus? Drop a comment here or on our Twitter page! Please subscribe, follow & be well. Manchild out!