What's Next for the MCU in Phase 5?
Phase 5 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has delivered some wild plot twists that have everyone buzzing, setting up some serious shake-ups in the universe! But we're talking way more than just another team-up movie or some awesome fights; it's about the grand narrative. Even though the phase wasn't exactly a money-maker, there have been tons of important developments and character journeys, all with serious long-term consequences! Get ready because things are about to get more mind-bendingly crazy!
With so much happening in Phase 5 (so many shows! so many films!), you might think you missed some things, especially with some crazy events happening off-screen! From the epic saga of the Guardians of the Galaxy, the dramatic evolution of Loki, and the epic reveal of the X-Men, we’re seeing huge shifts happening in this big MCU world. Let’s look at ten crazy storylines set up in Phase 5. I'm pretty sure these are gonna have serious consequences in Phase 6 and beyond, but who really knows! Marvel likes to surprise us!
Goodbye, Guardians of the Galaxy (as we knew them)?
In the end of "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3," James Gunn brought those amazing heroes on one last journey. It was filled with a ton of emotions - tragic backstories, a lot of those "we've come so far, we’re about to change things up" moments, and even a fight with the High Evolutionary, a guy that wants to literally "make a perfect world". After everything, the Guardians look pretty different. Only Rocket Raccoon and Groot stuck around! They even introduced a new group of Guardians with a whole bunch of cool characters: Adam Warlock, Kraglin, Cosmo the Space Dog, the adopted girl Phyla, and Blurp, that freaky pet. It's totally a different bunch, and they could get a whole new storyline together in those Avengers crossovers!
Remember the big “legendary Star-Lord” return? I wonder if Gunn’s hinting at something major. He did say Star-Lord is "legendary". We’re seeing a ton of focus on the character's "legendary status". In "Marvel Rivals," we already saw him being all-powerful with those special half-Celestial abilities. Is that a sign of things to come? Maybe the "legendary" status has some serious power connected to it.
Loki – Not a Villain, But a Storyteller?
Loki has come a long way from just being the God of Mischief, y’know! He went from villain to an amazing hero! "Loki" Season 2 was really mind-blowing. I felt really sad to see Loki become the Timekeeper and take the "God of Stories" mantle for the universe, especially considering it really isolated him. It was almost like sacrificing himself for the multiverse!
It’s a pretty perfect ending for Loki's journey so far, and we've all gotten so used to Tom Hiddleston in those crazy Loki stories. Maybe this will be his last Loki turn! But remember that "bringing back" thing Marvel loves? Loki could definitely be back from wherever those Timekeepers threw him after "Loki" Season 2.
Welcome Back, X-Men (They’re Finally Here!)
For years, everyone was saying “When are the X-Men showing up? Where's Wolverine?”. Now they're in the MCU - a little different from their Fox timeline, but definitely officially part of this awesome movieverse. In "The Marvels", we see Kelsey Grammer reprise his role as Beast - and now he's meeting Monica Rambeau, which makes sense, given the whole multiverse and interdimensional stuff! Things really got intense in "Deadpool & Wolverine," which put those mutant characters right into the main timeline.
Seriously! It’s crazy that we've finally got to see this team - five years after Disney grabbed those characters from Fox! Now we have an animated "X-Men '97", and it’s awesome! But who knows where the X-Men are headed. It seems like we're just building up those characters, getting those stories ready, because who wouldn’t love those mutants with powers. Maybe we’re seeing an X-Men crossover happening in those Avengers Movies – get ready!
The Young Avengers - The Future is Here
For ages, Marvel has been dropping little clues here and there, hinting at the arrival of those younger, newer Superheroes! It was super exciting to see Ms. Marvel going full-on recruiting in “The Marvels”. It was a pretty perfect moment for them. I was definitely hoping to see that “Young Avengers” group come together – and it sounds like a seriously amazing team!
Now the Young Avengers roster might be crazy impressive, and there’s a lot to anticipate - think Hulk's son, Skaar, America Chavez from "Doctor Strange," Laura, (the kind-of daughter of Wolverine), Ironheart from Wakanda Forever, and of course, Cassie Lang, Scott’s amazing daughter. We’re just at the tip of the iceberg for these new Superheroes!
Those Amazing, Yet Hidden, Stories
In a world of incredible Movies, it's easy to lose sight of some of the stuff that might happen behind the scenes! Marvel's Phase 5 has got a whole bunch of events happening outside the films - these are definitely things to look out for in future episodes and movies. You probably don't even know it, but they are definitely paving the way for some incredible things happening to those superhero stories!
Take, for instance, the new adventures of Cassie Lang! We’re watching her transition to a kick-ass hero in "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania" – it was pretty epic! But hold your horses. It looks like she could end up as “Stinger”, and I’m totally here for that! Those Pym Particles could change her whole life!
Kingpin is Back - But This Time He’s Running For Mayor
Remember "Echo"? A pretty under-the-radar movie, right? But it’s really significant for how Marvel's expanding those storylines. The Kingpin’s back! Yeah, he actually survived all that chaos and it gets even crazier from there! Now, Kingpin’s got his sights set on becoming the Mayor of New York City in Phase 5. We’re talking the top position. He's gonna go full politician! That makes you think twice, right?
And now we gotta think about how that ties back to "Daredevil," which got those Netflix characters into the MCU, so those storylines have basically been officially brought over into the Marvel movie universe! But now you have to think, "If those characters made it in, is it only Daredevil? Is Jessica Jones going to be back in a big way? Or is that just a random crossover storyline happening? The possibilities are endless, right?
More Super-Skrulls, and the Next Step In Marvel's Space Saga
"Secret Invasion" had that crazy space action with those Skrull shape-shifters. We saw a new thing — “Super-Skrulls". It seems those Skrulls figured out a way to copy other superheroes’ powers, making those space-fights even crazier! I gotta say, we are definitely getting ready for "Fantastic Four" so, with that new "Super-Skrull," who's to say they’ll show up. It was really cool to see those Skrull enemies become this hybrid form.
The good news is those Skrulls, they have reached peace, or at least that's what's going to happen next. It seems like Nick Fury is the peacemaker and he's getting everyone to work things out! And honestly, the Skrulls and the Kree - those ancient enemies – that's something big. This could change the entire MCU galactic setup!
What to Watch For In Phase 5, and The Future
Phase 5 has been epic, so with all of the changes and craziness happening it’s time to reflect on those characters that have come so far – from the Guardians to Loki to Daredevil! The next big stories are happening in Phase 6, which could be full of awesome new characters! But right now, it seems that James Gunn is totally running the show. We are probably looking at some totally unexpected characters. And who knows, maybe those Skrulls are about to be back with even bigger powers!
With so many new movies like "Fantastic Four," "Blade" and "Deadpool 3", plus shows like “Loki" Season 2, there’s definitely no slowing down. We are looking at all the possible changes, storylines, new villains, new heroes and that really cool multi-verse Marvel is so famous for! Marvel's next phases look to be filled with surprises, intrigue, and a whole bunch of cool storylines – it’s hard not to be a fan, and it's gonna be so exciting!
