Marvel's Phase Three

Marvel's Phase Three is no longer alleged. In November they announced the next group of films/franchises that will take us into 2019. There are a few changes however. Back in August of 2014, the titles of the "leaked" Phase Three were as follows:

• Captain America: Fallen Son (May 2016)
• Doctor Strange (July 2016)
• Thor: Ragnarok (May 2017)
• Guardians of the Galaxy 2 (July 2017)
• Black Panther (November 2017)
• Avengers: Civil War (July 2018)
• World War Hulk (November 2018)
• Inhumans (May 2019)

Captain America: Fallen Son has been changed to Captain America: Civil War. This may be a reference to a 2006-07 crossover where the heroes of the Marvel Comics Universe chose up sides in regards to the Superhero Registration Act (not to be confused with the Mutant Registration Act that first appeared in X-Men comics in the early 80s). Or maybe it's something else. It might be safe to pre-suppose the the Civil War aspect may have something to do with the aftermath of the events of Avengers: Age of Ultron due out this Summer. Other than shuffling the release dates, there doesn't appear to be any changes to the next installments of Thor, Guardians of the Galaxy and the 1st installment of the Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman to star in the title role).

World War Hulk has been dropped at least for now and replaced it with Captain Marvel. In my day, Captain Marvel was a dude...

Just your average space alien with California surfer good looks

This version came out in the late 60s as a Kree operative who never generated enough interest in his own title and even joined the Avengers. He eventually dies of space cancer in a 1982 graphic novel.

This is what happens when you're sales are down.

Hunky stud Mar-Vell was replaced by a new Captain Marvel, Monica Rambeau, who appeared shortly after Mar-Vell's death. This new Captain also joined the Avengers. Apparently she's still alive in the Marvel Universe under a different name. Which brings us to Carol Danvers. Danvers first appeared in 1977 and became Ms. Marvel as a result of an explosion that somehow implanted blonde Captain Marvel's kree DNA into hers, given her superpowers. She lost her superpowers in when ambushed by Rogue in 1981. She would take the mantle of Captain Marvel in her own title in 2012.

Ms. Marvel.

 Another blonde Captain Marvel.

It's the Carol Danvers version of Captain Marvel that will be the subject of the 2018 film. It seems like Marvel is taking a big chance here. Black Widow would be the more logical choice for the 1st female superhero film but so far Marvel has made the right choices so knock them dead. It also looks like this film will be theaters before DC can get Wonder Woman in her own film (though she is alleged to be in next year's Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice. The other change is that 2018's Avengers: Civil War has now become 2 films; Avengers Infinity War, Part 1 & 2 (part 2 in 2019). The title may refer to a 1992 limited series with multiple title tie-ins and a convoluted plot involving the already Easter Egged Infinity Gauntlet and gems.

So that's what we have to look forward to. The confirmation alone probably sent fanboys into a tizzy. I can take or leave Doctor Strange (mostly leave) but I'm all in for Captain America, Black Panther (f*ck yeah!), Inhumans and the Avengers films. Given. I have reservations about the next chapters of Thor and Guardians of the Galaxy but I'll probably be in line at the cineplex to see them. I just don't know enough about Captain Marvel to get excited but as we get closer to its release date, then my attitude could change for sure. It is high time that a female superhero got a chance at the big screen on her own. Black Widow would have been the obvious choice (possibly very successful) for Marvel but we got Lucy instead. DC blew their chance to get Wonder Woman to the big screen but they should use the time to concentrate on the finished product. Things look interesting in the Marvel Film Universe. Avengers: Age of Ultron should be awesome but I've got my doubts about Ant-Man. We'll see what happens. Thank you for your time.