MARVEL STUDIOS: 10 Things We Learned From The Phase 4 Preview Highlighting SHANG-CHI, ETERNALS, & More

Yesterday, Marvel released a Phase 4 preview that featured some big title and release date reveals, new footage from movies like Black Widow and Eternals, and much more. Now, we're breaking that down...

By JoshWilding - May 04, 2021 09:05 AM EST

Filed Under: Marvel Studios

For as long as we can remember, Marvel Studios has kicked off the blockbuster season at the start of May with another chapter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe mythos.

Unfortunately, with the world still attempting to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, that hasn't happened this year (after Black Widow was shifted to July). Despite that, a promo was released yesterday that teased what's on the way this year and beyond as part of the Phase 4 slate. As well as new footage from 2021's movies, we were also treated to some title and release date reveals.

Now, we've taken a closer look at that to bring you all the biggest news and moments from the footage shown off by Marvel Studios as they prepare to welcome us all back to theaters.

To take a look through this feature, all you guys need to do is click on the "Next" button down below!

10. Meet The Marvels

This was an unexpected surprise in yesterday's sneak peek, especially as we couldn't have predicted that Marvel Studios would completely ditch the "Captain Marvel" branding from this sequel.

The 2019 movie was review bombed by angry, sexist fans, and the fact Carol Danvers didn't smile very much...well, that was a serious issue for a lot of people. We doubt that's the reason we're getting a movie called The Marvels instead of Captain Marvel 2, but it's certainly a possibility.

Regardless, with the spotlight being put on Captain Marvel, Ms. Marvel, and Spectrum(?), this title makes sense, and we'll be watching their epic team-up on November 11th, 2022.

Whether that involves a cosmic adventure or something a little more grounded is unclear, but based on WandaVision's mid-credits scene, we're willing to bet this trio will head into outer space.

9. Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania Gets A Release Date

We learned that the Ant-Man and The Wasp sequel would get the Quantumania subtitle during Disney's Investor Day last year, but the threequel's rumoured release date has finally been confirmed.

It'll kick off 2023 on February 17th, a new slot for a franchise that has previously arrived in theaters over the summer months. Kang the Conqueror is reportedly set to be introduced in the movie, so this could be a much more important chapter in Phase 4 than some of us previously expected.

Plot details are still being kept under wraps, though we do know that Kathryn Newton will be taking over as Cassie Lang.

Hopefully, Peyton Reed finally plans to take us into the Quantum Realm and explain why the original Wasp came back with those weird new powers in the last movie.

8. Shang-Chi's Fight Tournament Confirmed?

For a long time now, rumours have persisted that Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings will feature some sort of fight tournament with the title character forced to compete in a bid to win the mythical Ten Rings for his father, Wenwu/The Mandarin.

The first trailer seemingly debunked that as we could see that the villain has been unleashing their power for decades (possibly more), but that definitely looks like somewhere Shang-Chi might fight!

That doesn't necessarily mean there will be a tournament of some sort, but it looks like some sort of underground fight club could factor into this movie. Your guess is as good as ours when it comes to what that will consist of, but we'd love some of those rumours to be true.

Either way, this looks like a badass setting!

7. Where's Ajak?

Marvel-Studios-Celebrates-The-Movies-2-19-screenshote

Okay, we're getting into spoilers here, so skip to the next slide if you don't want to delve into those.

A recent plot leak for Eternals claimed that it's the death of Ajak (the only member of the group able to communicate with the Celestials) that brings the team - who have all gone their separate ways in the present day - back together. It would make sense, and puts a murder mystery right at the heart of the movie that these ancient heroes will have to solve.

There is, of course, a glimpse at Ajak in this first footage from Eternals, but she's never pictured alongside the rest of the team, and that definitely seems pretty telling to us.

The full-length trailer for the movie will likely clear things up in this respect, though!

6. Yelena Belova Looks Like A Fitting Black Widow

Marvel-Studios-Celebrates-The-Movies-1-53-screenshot

All the signs are pointing to Yelena Belova being the MCU's new Black Widow in the wake of Natasha Romanoff's death in Avengers: Endgame, but if this footage is any indication, Florence Pugh definitely looks the part!

This latest footage from the long-delayed movie features some great shots of the character heading into action, and while her comic book counterpart has primarily been portrayed as a villain, it seems that this version will definitely fit into the "hero" category in the wake of her "sister" dying.

While many fans are seemingly indifferent to the prospect of a solo outing for Natasha set between the events of Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War, it looks like a fun ride and a fitting way to kick off Phase 4 on the big screen.

Brace yourselves because this one might be more important to Phase 4 than you think...

5. Kingo's Cameraman

Marvel-Studios-Celebrates-The-Movies-2-23-screenshot-1

So, remember "Jeans Guy" in The Mandalorian? Well, after this preview was released yesterday, some fans were patting themselves on the back for spotting what appeared to be a wayward cameraman in this shot of the Eternals.

Well, it's a nice theory, but don't forget that character description for Kingo that surfaced a while back. "Over the centuries, he has become enamored with the idea of fame. In present day, he's a famous Bollywood star who must leave his life of wealth and celebrity to help the team repel the new Deviant threat."

In other words, it's likely this guy is there because he's documenting the famous actor's life!

It's also worth noting that the final shot of the team does appear to be taking place in front of the Babylonian monument Ishtar Gate in Mesopotamia, a.k.a. the City of the Space Gods! Jack Kirby fans will appreciate that...

4. Wakanda Forever

Marvel-Studios-Celebrates-The-Movies-2-44-screenshot

Chadwick Boseman's death after a lengthy battle with cancer took the entire world by surprise, and it felt like we were all united in our grief. The actor was an inspiration, and while he did a lot of incredible work on screen, it was as T'Challa that he arguably shined brightest.

No one really wanted to talk about what Boseman's death meant for Black Panther II, and understandably so when a movie pales in comparison to someone's life. However, the character really struck a chord, so it would be wrong to move on from that and not honour the late actor in some way.

Well, while we know that he won't be recast (or recreated with VFX), Wakanda Forever feels like a fitting title for the sequel regardless of who takes over the mantle.

Some fans are convinced that the metallic font is a sign Doctor Doom will debut here and, honestly, we could buy into that!

3. Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 Arrives Summer 2023

Marvel-Studios-Celebrates-The-Movies-2-54-screenshot

Had James Gunn not briefly parted ways with Disney, then we'd still be waiting for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 to be released this year (it was originally eyed for a 2020 debut).

Instead, the filmmaker has been busy with The Suicide Squad, and we'll now be watching this threequel on May 5th, 2023.

Little is known about what to expect, though it has been confirmed that Gunn will also be shooting that Holiday Special for Disney+ and footage for the new rollercoaster coming to Disney World while production is taking place. We certainly hope that means the filmmaker won't be spread too thinly, though the scrip has been finished for a while so his vision is likely set in stone.

It sounds like it will be an emotional conclusion to the trilogy, though, so keep some tissues handy...

2. Shang-Chi Packs A Serious Punch

Marvel Studios clearly has high hopes for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and it's interesting that this Phase 4 sneak peek wraps up with one final shot of the hero.

In the comic books, the hero can tap into his "chi" that allows him to strike with inhuman force and enables him to break through barriers such as brick, concrete and iron, while withstanding physical impacts almost to a superhuman degree. We have a feeling that we might be seeing it in action here!

Either way, Shang-Chi definitely packs one helluva punch and looks downright terrific in action.

Black Widow is set to be released in theaters and on Disney+ simultaneously, but it's likely Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings will play exclusively on the big screen, hence why the hero is highlighted in these closing moments!

1. Fantastic Four Remains Undated

Marvel Studios concluded its portion of Disney's Investor Day last year with the reveal that a new Fantastic Four movie is on the way from Spider-Man: No Way Home director Jon Watts.

Unfortunately, we didn't get a release date then, and don't have one now!

We only know what's coming up until May in 2023, and there will probably be at least two more movies that end up joining Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. One of those could be Fantastic Four, of course, but 2024 also seems like an appropriate year for the reboot.

Either way, here's hoping Marvel Studios pulls the curtain back on this one sooner rather than later...

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79 Comments

1 2

ModHaterSLADE - 5/4/2021, 9:08 AM

Shang-Chi looks pretty promising. Looks like the Enter The Dragon meets James Bond with usual MCU flair.

WakandaTech - 5/4/2021, 9:18 AM

Not really intrested in 'the Marvels'

now if they confirm Blue Marvel cameo now the hype level wold go way up

Black Panther Wakanda Forever not so hyped as I've hoped

now if they confirm a new Black Panther and Namor cameo the Hype level would sky rocket

LiteralSense - 5/4/2021, 9:51 AM

@WakandaTech - I am even more hyped for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever after seeing the new title. The fact that we have no idea what they’re doing with this has me more intrigued. Plus, by the reaction on social media, I think it just might be the biggest performing movie out of ones announced.

2022. I can’t think of any MCU film I’m not excited about. I believe all four films including The Marvels has will not disappoint, and they all seem like big event films.

McMurdo - 5/4/2021, 11:23 AM

@WakandaTech - I’m pretty hyped for the Marvels because I liked Photon and having Ms Marvel in it will be cool. I didn’t like Captain Marvel much outside of Mendelssohn so fingers crossed

LeBronStan - 5/4/2021, 9:19 AM

I would think F4 would come out November of 2023 since that's when the first issue of the comic was released

LeBronStan - 5/4/2021, 9:23 AM

I'm still firmly in the camp of recasting Tchalla. As a black man it's not so much just about representation, but also about the character get behind that representation. And Tchalla was a great character that was far from being finished. I'm sure Wakanda Forever will be a great film, but I just super excited for it at the moment.

lawndart - 5/4/2021, 10:16 AM

@LeBronStan - definitely think they should have recast him. There’s nothing wrong by doing so. Sean Connery is dead and others are still playing Bond. I think not doing so is missing out on portraying the strength and determination of the character.

McMurdo - 5/4/2021, 11:24 AM

@LeBronStan - I agree it’s a shame TChalla is now just gone in the MCU. I like Shuri a lot but I feel bad for all the diehard BP fans losing their fav character going forward. I’m sure Coogler will do service to the sequel but nonetheless.

bkmeijer2 - 5/4/2021, 11:40 AM

@LeBronStan - I was gonna say having another character take over the mantle would work as well, but I feel that this time your word weighs much more than mine

1 2

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MARVEL STUDIOS: 10 Things We Learned From The Phase 4 Preview Highlighting SHANG-CHI, ETERNALS, & More

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