MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE: PHASEs THREE & FOUR
Depending on how you look at it, the Marvel Cinematic Universe took upwards of 45 years to piece together (counting the company's comic book origins), but according to the filmmakers entrusted with the next stages of the story, its deconstruction has already begun.
"Captain America: Civil War" marks the beginning of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Phase Three, which will include "Guardians of the Galaxy" and "Thor" sequels, "Doctor Strange," "Black Panther," and "Captain Marvel" solo features, and "Avengers: Infinity War" parts 1 and 2, so given the episodic nature of the MCU, it is only natural that the creative heads behind the scenes are discussing Phase Four, and what could come after the latest series of chapters.
Speaking with EW, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige said fans should expect wide, potentially universe-altering changes come Phase Four. "I think you look at comics as a guide," he said. "There will be a finality to moments of Phase Three, as well as new beginnings that mark a different -- a very different -- a distinctly different chapter in what will someday be a complete first saga made of up three Phases."
CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR
Speaking of Phase Three, it seems as though #TeamCap might just be winning the outreach war with fans, in advance of the release of "Captain America: Civil War," the third of the Star-Spangled Avenger's headlining movie adventures.
Actors Chris Evans and Sebastian Stan surprised Phoenix fans this week when they made a surprise appearance at a screening of Marvel's latest blockbuster Thursday night. After teasing that they could be en route to a screening anywhere in the country on the movie's official Twitter account, the pair of Marvel veterans surfaced in Arizona, with video of the event captured on social media.
A special message from #TeamCaphttps://t.co/i9oWIkFpOL- Captain America (@CaptainAmerica) April 15, 2016
Chris Evans & Sebastian Stan surprised fans at an impromptu screening of Civil War today in Phoenix! #TeamCap pic.twitter.com/Yatll4K4Qv- Chris Evans Online (@CevansOfficial) April 15, 2016
CHRIS EVANS AND SEBASTIAN STAN AT THE PHOENIX SCREENING @SuperheroFeed @CaptainAmerica pic.twitter.com/rjKQgQDdym- Tate Sandifer (@TateSandifer) April 15, 2016
After complimenting the crowd on selecting the right "team," Evans reminded fans, "Just because you like [the movie] now, doesn't mean we don't need you opening weekend. Go then, too!"
In theaters May 6
SUICIDE SQUAD
Harley Quinn fans may be disappointed that Margot Robbie won't be donning the character's traditional red-and-black getup in David Ayer's upcoming entry to the DCEU, but a still captured by an eagle-eyed fan indicates that director David Ayer is at least paying homage to the jester-ish original costume, which debuted when the Joker-obsessed character made her first appearance on "Batman: The Animated Series."
An image uploaded to imgur showing a scene where the Suicide Squad roster is gearing up zooms in on an article of clothing just beyond a trunk. The closer look reveals what looks to be Harley's original costume, discarded by the character in favor of a baseball tee and bloomers.
AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D.
A pair of new clips from this week's "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." shows the newly assembled Secret Warriors leaping into action on their first mission as a extra-powered superteam.
Titled "The Team," the episode sees Chloe Bennet's Daisy Johnson lead her Inhuman pack on a rescue mission against Brett Dalton's Ward/Hive and the forces of Hydra.
In the first clip, Daisy gives the team a pep talk before undertaking the mission.
In the second, the team uses their powers to break into a Hydra base.
Airs Tuesday, April 19, at 9 PM on ABC
SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING
Tom Holland makes his debut as Marvel and Sony's latest Spider-Man in a few short weeks when "Captain America: Civil War" sees its release, but a colorful cast of cohorts for his solo adventure, coming in 2017, is starting to take shape.
Yesterday, reports surfaced that a pair of "Spider-Man: Homecoming" supporting actors have been cast. "Grand Budapest Hotel" star Tony Revolori will play a high school classmate of Peter Parker's (though reportedly not a villain), and "One Life to Live" actress Laura Harrier will play what is described as a "key character," named Michelle. Oscar-winner Marisa Tomei had already been announced as part of the cast, playing Aunt May, and Disney Channel star Zendaya recently confirmed that she, too, will be in the 2017 flick, to be directed by Jon Watts and written by John Francis Daley and Jonathan M. Goldstein.
In theaters July 7, 2017
THE WALKING DEAD
"Walking Dead" fans have grown accustomed to shocking revelations, which opened the door for one high-profile nerd and another even higher profile knighted actor to have some fun with their expectations.
Sir Patrick Stewart joined "Nerdist" host Chris Harwick for a podcast interview yesterday, and in celebration of the event the two staged an Instagram photo teasing the latest cliffhanger from the hit AMC show.
"Sir Patrick Stewart is on the podcast today, where he reveals the biggest Walking Dead twist of all: that HE is, in fact, Negan, and I am the one who gets to meet Lucille," Harwick wrote in the post. Check it out below.
Sir Patrick Stewart is on the podcast today, where he reveals the biggest Walking Dead twist of all: that HE is, in fact, Negan, and I am the one who gets to meet Lucille. A photo posted by Chris Hardwick (@hardwick) on
Returns in October. "Fear the Walking Dead" debuts Sundays on AMC.
THE DEFENDERS
Netflix has tabbed "Daredevil" season two showrunners Douglas Petrie and Marco Ramirez to run their upcoming "Defenders" series, which will unite Charlie Cox's Daredevil, Krysten Ritter's Jessica Jones, Mike Colter's Luke Cage, and Finn Jones's Iron Fist as Marvel's street-level superteam. Drew Goddard, who wrote and produced "The Martian" and originally developed the "Daredevil" series, will also executive produce.
Marvel Head of Television Jeph Loeb says that, with the roster of producers assembled, Marvel has "got a team that's as formidable as the Defenders themselves."
"The Defenders" is expected to go into production later this year.
"Daredevil" and "Jessica Jones" are streaming on Netflix now. "Luke Cage" will debut September 30, and no date has yet been announced for "The Defenders."