The Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase 4 just got chibi-ified and it is unbearably cute!Marvel artist Stephen Byrne -- who's currently working on Dark Horse Comics' Joy Operations -- shared an animated video on July 22 overhauling the live-action Marvel films, TV shows and What If...? animated show under the title Marvel Chums Universe Animated. Opening with a Marvel Studios intro riff, the video briefly spotlights each Phase 1 Avengers member in a classic comic art style before assembling them together for a group shot. The image is then undercut by sling ring portals revealing smaller, chibi-sized Avengers wearing the cast's Endgame attire. It then transitions into a montage of Phase 4 character moments from WandaVision to Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, with brief glimpses of recent adaptations like Ms. Marvel and Thor: Love and Thunder.
Much of Byrne's video emphasizes comedic, but occasionally dark, spoofs of key events from the films and shows, as well as fandom reactions to new characters. These moments include The Falcon and the Winter Soldier's John Walker/US Agent faceplanting during a fight, Eternals' cast distracted by leisurely activities while Thanos beats the Avengers, and Hawkeye's Kate Bishop enlarging a pizza for Lucky (i.e. Pizza Dog) via trick arrow. Near the end, the video begins incorporating multiverse figures from past animated Marvel films and cartoons, and even makes a DC reference, in which Multiverse of Madness' America Chavez encounters Batman.
At last month's San Diego Comic-Con, Marvel Studios' Kevin Feige confirmed that Phase 4 would conclude this November with Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Other previously established projects like Ant-Man and the Wasp Quantumania, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, The Marvels and more will be part of Phase 5, which is now collectively dubbed The Multiverse Saga. In terms of content, Phase 4 has greatly exceeded all other Marvel Phases since the MCU's creation, with over 50 hours of storytelling compared to Phase 3's 26 hours. Despite producing well-reviewed entries like Ms. Marvel and Spider-Man: No Way Home, Phase 4 has also undergone much scrutiny from critics and fans, citing issues like a lack of precise direction compared to previous eras and reliance on humor. Other projects failed to win acclaim, with Eternals receiving a rare "Rotten" score for Marvel Studios on Rotten Tomatoes.
Other notable Phase 5 projects include the Mahershala Ali-starring Blade film, Daredevil reboot Daredevil: Born Again and the long-rumored Thunderbolts adaptation. Phase 6, by comparison, will include a new Fantastic Four movie, followed by the back-to-back Avengers sequels Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars. Marvel is also currently working on new animated content for Disney+ such as Spider-Man: Freshman Year and Marvel Zombies.
Source: Twitter