It’s not long to go now before Phase 2 of the Marvel cinematic universe kicks off. Marvel and Disney have a solid game plan so far, in the form of solo hero films that build up to something bigger and more team-based, before starting off with a new phase entirely.
Right now, Iron Man, Captain America and Thor headline that second phase with new sequels, before Guardians of the Galaxy arrives. But there is a third phase on the way. One that will have Edgar Wright taking on an Ant-Man film. And that phase will be joined by a certain sorcerer supreme.
Speaking to MTV News, Marvel Studio’s Kevin Feige let slip some more Ant-Man details first, which will have the Hot Fuzz director lending his unique take on visuals to the project;
Ant-Man is definitely part of Phase Three. Like Iron Man 3, it’s certainly set in the Marvel Universe, but it’s also through the lens of Edgar Wright — which is the only reason we’re making the movie. […] It’s very much an Ant-Man origin movie from the perspective of Edgar Wright and his co-writer Joe Cornish. It will of course be firmly planted in the MCU, but a different corner than we’ve seen before.
So much of the stories we’re telling [right now] is about the core Avengers characters we’ve now met, and they’ll be evolving in big, surprising ways, in Cap’s next movie and Thor’s next movie and of course in Iron Man 3, as we get them all into the next Avengers film. Beyond that… Ant-Man is the only one officially announced, but you probably don’t have to look too far to guess at the next list of characters we’re toying with and beginning to develop.
Doctor Strange, which I’ve been talking about for years, is definitely one of them. He’s a great, original character, and he checks the box off this criteria that I have: he’s totally different from anything else we have, just like Guardians of the Galaxy.
He’s totally different from anything we’ve done before, as is Ant-Man, which keeps us excited.
So far, I’m liking this. If you keep your films focused on large scale universal threats, you’re going to risk boring your audiences. But focusing on lesser known characters such as Dr Strange and Ant-Man, opens up new possibilities. Marvel has plenty of supernatural characters to choose from, such as Blade and er…Ghost Rider.
And while no one would want to see some of these midnight sons banding together to enchant a spirit of vengeance with enough hellfire piss to ward off Galactus, it still happens to be an interesting direction for the future of these films. Plus, it might also be a well timed rival to that other Guillermo Del Toro project which will star the darker characters of the DC Comics universe.
Actually, scratch that earlier comment about Ghost Rider, because by the eyes of the Vishanti, it’d be damn easy to get Nicolas Cage to agree to do it…
Last Updated: January 28, 2013
DarthofZA
January 28, 2013 at 11:59
I think the main reason they are opening it up so much is so they can keep doing this indefinitely. Regardless of how good the movies are, if they’re doing phase 5 and it has a Cap sequel, Thor sequel and IronMan seq, leading up to Avengers 5, people won’t be that interested. But lets say they do another Hulk seq, Namor movie and Dr Strange seq, and then bring out The Defenders as the big movie, its still the same universe we know and love, but with a hint of freshness. I’m ok with 3 movies every 2 years for the next 50 years in my favourite universe if they keep doing it right. 😀
Kervyn Cloete
January 28, 2013 at 12:28
That’s what Guardians of the Galaxy is going to be such a huge litmus test for them. It’ll be the first time that they try to showcase heroes that the general public probably aren’t that aware of. If it succeeds (creatively and financially), it will definitely open the way for just what you’re saying and more.
Noelle Adams
January 28, 2013 at 14:30
I agree it’s going to a gamble. I mean it’s totally obscure even to me. I think even Dr Strange is more established than them.
P.S. I’m totally up for a Strange film. Some nice potential there.
Sir Captain Rincethis
January 28, 2013 at 12:28
I am pretty sure they don’t get Cage to sign a contract, they just send him a time and location…
Kervyn Cloete
January 28, 2013 at 13:16
Seems appropriate:
Sir Captain Rincethis
January 28, 2013 at 13:21
YES, YES SIR! This just made my day, thank you!