MCU Phases 4 & 5: dream or nightmare?
I have a mixed relationship to the Marvel movies that have so dominated the last decade of Hollywood. On the one hand, I readily enjoy them. I think, for the most part, that they are well made blockbusters, occasionally quite good, directed competently, written with care, and acted superbly. Their achievement as TV-like serialization across 23 films (and three "phases") is, as Matt Zoller Seitz has written, without precedent and accordingly impressive.
On the other hand, I'm neither a comic books "fan" nor an apologist for the MCU. I've read all of two graphic novels in my life, and have nothing invested in "geek culture." I furthermore share the general sentiment that the Marvel-fication of cinema as such is an unhealthy trend. It isn't good that there's a new superhero movie out every three weeks, and that Hollywood wants any and all blockbuster filmmaking to be (a) built on preexisting IP and (b) part of a larger "cinematic universe."
At the same time, I think it's too easy to use Feige and the MCU as a scapegoat. Marvel's (and Disney's) success did not and does not necessitate a systemic change in Hollywood, or the monotonous assembly line of genre fare we've seen in its wake. Moreover, while critics like Scorsese are certainly right to be exhausted by the last decade, two factors militate against an overreaction. First, great films continue to be made and recognized. Second, "cinema" includes more than the art house: indeed, cinema intrinsically includes the spectacle of sheer, broadly appealing fun. Scorsese and his cohort of directors know that more than anyone.
Having said all that, with Feige and Marvel taking a victory lap right now, it is a fascinating and revealing thing to look into Disney's plans for the MCU going into the next 3-4 years. For denizens of the art house, it is indeed a nightmare of sorts. For geeks, doubtless it is a dream. But like all dreams, it's going to come to an end. Indeed, in looking at the lineup below, it's hard to believe it's real.
So far as I have been able to put together, what follows is the forthcoming schedule of theatrical films and television shows (exclusively on Disney+) on the slate for 2020 through 2023 or so. Beginning with 2022 I'm taking educated guesses on timing. Movies are bolded and shows have a (+) after them. Read it and (alternately) weep or rejoice.
2020
2021
2022
2023
Feb – Captain Marvel 2
On the other hand, I'm neither a comic books "fan" nor an apologist for the MCU. I've read all of two graphic novels in my life, and have nothing invested in "geek culture." I furthermore share the general sentiment that the Marvel-fication of cinema as such is an unhealthy trend. It isn't good that there's a new superhero movie out every three weeks, and that Hollywood wants any and all blockbuster filmmaking to be (a) built on preexisting IP and (b) part of a larger "cinematic universe."At the same time, I think it's too easy to use Feige and the MCU as a scapegoat. Marvel's (and Disney's) success did not and does not necessitate a systemic change in Hollywood, or the monotonous assembly line of genre fare we've seen in its wake. Moreover, while critics like Scorsese are certainly right to be exhausted by the last decade, two factors militate against an overreaction. First, great films continue to be made and recognized. Second, "cinema" includes more than the art house: indeed, cinema intrinsically includes the spectacle of sheer, broadly appealing fun. Scorsese and his cohort of directors know that more than anyone.
Having said all that, with Feige and Marvel taking a victory lap right now, it is a fascinating and revealing thing to look into Disney's plans for the MCU going into the next 3-4 years. For denizens of the art house, it is indeed a nightmare of sorts. For geeks, doubtless it is a dream. But like all dreams, it's going to come to an end. Indeed, in looking at the lineup below, it's hard to believe it's real.
So far as I have been able to put together, what follows is the forthcoming schedule of theatrical films and television shows (exclusively on Disney+) on the slate for 2020 through 2023 or so. Beginning with 2022 I'm taking educated guesses on timing. Movies are bolded and shows have a (+) after them. Read it and (alternately) weep or rejoice.
2020
May – Black Widow
Fall – The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (+)
Nov – The Eternals
2021
Feb – Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Spring – Loki (+)
Spring – WandaVision (+)
May – Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
Summer – What if...? (+ animated)
July – Spider-Man 3
Fall – Hawkeye (+)
Nov – Thor 4: Love and Thunder
2022
Feb –Deadpool 3
Spring – Moon Knight (+)
May – Black Panther 2 [update: confirmed]
May – Black Panther 2 [update: confirmed]
July – Ant-Man 3
Fall – Ms. Marvel (+)
Oct – Blade [February seems a better bet, but since they specified October, that suggests "scary"]
Oct – Blade [February seems a better bet, but since they specified October, that suggests "scary"]
2023
Feb – Captain Marvel 2
Spring – She-Hulk (+)
May – Guardians of the Galaxy 3
May – Guardians of the Galaxy 3
July – Fantastic Four reboot
Nov – X-Men reboot [perhaps FF or X-Men are introduced back-door via a summer or fall Avengers 5, a la Black Panther or Spider-Man in Civil War—that seems wisest]
–It's worth noting that not included here are even further sequels: Shang-Chi 2, Doctor Stranger 3, Spider-Man 4, Black Panther 3, The Eternals 2, Captain Marvel 3, and so on. It also assumes some sort of big team-up. [Updated question: Will there be another "Avengers" movie, properly speaking? Or will team-ups just happen organically within other characters' movies?] And there are definitely even more properties and characters to be introduced not mentioned here.
–It seems clear that, although 2020 will revert to 2 films in the year—a sort of deep breath after Endgame and before the onset of Phase 4—beginning the following year, it's going to be four MCU films per year going forward. And that, as they say, will test the market's limits.
–It's worth noting that not included here are even further sequels: Shang-Chi 2, Doctor Stranger 3, Spider-Man 4, Black Panther 3, The Eternals 2, Captain Marvel 3, and so on. It also assumes some sort of big team-up. [Updated question: Will there be another "Avengers" movie, properly speaking? Or will team-ups just happen organically within other characters' movies?] And there are definitely even more properties and characters to be introduced not mentioned here.
–It seems clear that, although 2020 will revert to 2 films in the year—a sort of deep breath after Endgame and before the onset of Phase 4—beginning the following year, it's going to be four MCU films per year going forward. And that, as they say, will test the market's limits.
