Next year, Phase 3 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe will come to an end with the release of Captain Marvel and the untitled Avengers 4. After 20 movies worth of buildup, the Avengers will assemble once again to try to defeat Thanos and save the universe. For the past 10 years, with each new release of a Marvel movie, we've gotten a sense as to where things were going. Ever since it was revealed that Thanos was the big villain behind 2012's The Avengers, we have watched an overarching story unfold, with more and more Infinity Stones popping up in various films. Each film was building to the next, helping create an interconnected story that would all come to a head in Avengers: Infinity War.

While we have no idea what will ultimately happen in Avengers 4, we do know that it will offer a conclusion to this arc that has been unfolding for over a decade. But what of the future? We know for a fact that while Phase 3 of the MCU is coming to an end in 2019, the Marvel Studios movies will keep on going. The future of Phase 4 is a complete question mark, and we have no idea what the next big story arc is going to be. In fact, we barely have any idea which films will be produced, save for a select few. Which films have already been announced, and which have been rumored for some time now? On top of all that, which films do we want to see, above all else? Here's a comprehensive guide.

15 CONFIRMED: BLACK PANTHER 2

Black Panther T'Challa UN

Yes, Avengers: Infinity War may have ended with Black Panther crumbling to dust, but you shouldn't worry – the King of Wakanda isn't going anywhere. While the cameras aren't rolling just yet, it wasn't long after the big and successful release of the first film that Marvel confirmed a sequel would be coming.

Black Panther 2 does not have an official release date or full cast list yet, but it's safe to assume that most of the actors from the first film will return. There is no word yet on which Marvel character will appear as the antagonist, but a popular fan-theory lists Namor, the King of Atlantis, as a possible villain/frenemy in the film.

14 RUMORED: NOVA

Ever since James Gunn gave audiences a Guardians of the Galaxy movie that was faithful to the modern era of Marvel's cosmic comic books, fans have been clamoring for the arrival of Nova in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The fan-favorite space character is a big part of the comics, yet is nowhere to be seen in the movies as of now.

While before, Gunn had stated that he had no desire to use Nova in his Marvel cosmic films, the director later changed his tune by stating that Nova will be coming to the MCU. Of course, this has led many to theorize that we might see the character in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 before getting his very own spin-off film.

13 WANT: THE VISION

The Vision

Paul Bettany's Vision was created in Avengers: Age of Ultron. While the character starred in Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War, we did not see him get a solo storyline yet. But all of that could change with a Vision film, which could easily be inspired by Tom King and Gabriel Walta's brilliant The Vision series.

In the comic series, Vision built himself a wife and two children, Viv and Vin, and moved into a lovely little home in a quiet neighbourhood. However, the androids' quest for a normal life and acceptance only led to complications and horrors, something that made the series not only unique but fascinating – and the great basis for a possible film.

12 CONFIRMED: BLACK WIDOW

Black Widow in Avengers Infinity War

It was already a while ago that Marvel announced that it was finally making a solo Black Widow film. While there is not an official release date yet, a writer was reportedly hired to pen the script, someone who was said to be working closely alongside actress Scarlett Johansson to break the story and direction of the film.

Given that many think that Natasha Romanoff may not make it out of Avengers 4, rumors are currently circulating that Black Widow could be a flashback movie set during the character's formative years as a Russian spy. On top of that, some fans believe that Sebastian Stan's Winter Soldier could also return to co-star in the film.

11 RUMORED: A-FORCE

Marvel Vanity Fair female Avengers

Following the release of Avengers: Age of Ultron, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and Thor: Ragnarok, the female actresses of the Marvel Universe began stirring the pot in order to get an all-female Avengers film going. Inspired by the A-Force comic series, the film would star the likes of Black Widow, the Wasp, Valkyrie and Scarlet Witch – for starters.

While there have been zero confirmation about such a film, the actresses approached Kevin Feige directly to let him know they were interested in such a project. If the cast is willing and Marvel Studios is listening, then perhaps Phase 4 of the MCU will feature a very different kind of Avengers film.

10 WANT: FANTASTIC FOUR

the-thing-fantastic-four-marvel-comics

Since Disney is currently in the process of purchasing 20th Century Fox's film assets, it's only a matter of time before the Fantastic Four come home to Marvel. Then, the studio would finally be able to give fans the Fantastic Four movie they have always wanted. It might take a few years, but what better franchise to build Phase 4 around? Phase... four.

The conclusion of Avengers 4 would probably serve as the perfect set-up for the introduction of Marvel's first family of superheroes. In fact, it's possible that the super-team is already a part of the MCU. After all, we never found out who purchased the Avengers Tower in Spider-Man: Homecoming... Could it be someone looking to re-brand it as the Baxter Building?

9 CONFIRMED: SPIDER-MAN SEQUEL

Spider-Man Homecoming

No matter how Avengers 4 ends, no matter which fan-favorite character dies and how many tears we shed, the sequel to Spider-Man: Homecoming will be coming on the heels of the final Phase 3 film. In fact, only a few short months after Avengers 4, Spider-Man: Far From Home will be hitting theaters.

The sequel will once again be directed by Jon Watts and star Tom Holland in the role of Peter Parker. The film is currently shooting, and the title is meant to be a clear reflection of the story, which will take Peter away from his usual stomping ground of New York City. Michael Keaton is said to return to the role of Adrian Toomes, and Jake Gyllenhaal is rumored to play Mysterio.

8 RUMORED: THOR 4

There is no telling what will become of Thor in Avengers 4. The character could end up living to fight another day, or he could end up making the ultimate sacrifice to save the universe. While most assume that this could be the end for Thor, there are increasing rumors that actor Chris Hemsworth might return for a fourth Thor film.

The actor has gone on record to state that he greatly enjoyed his time with director Taika Waititi on Thor: Ragnarok and that he felt rejuvenated to play the character again. Hemsworth even confirmed that he and Waititi have begun discussing possible story ideas for Thor 4, which means it might just happen.

7 WANT: CAPTAIN AMERICA 4

Yes, we are aware that we might have to bid farewell to Steve Rogers' Captain America in Avengers 4. But that doesn't mean that it has to be the end. In the comic books, Steve's best friend, Bucky Barnes, took the mantle of Captain America so that Steve's legacy could live on. With his shield and a new uniform, Bucky became the new Star-Spangled Man With a Plan.

Bucky had trouble being as good a Captain America as Steve, and that's what made this succession so fascinating. What's more, since the two characters spent so much time together during World War II, we could see the return of Chris Evans in some key flashback scenes that would inform Bucky's plight in the present.

6 CONFIRMED: DOCTOR STRANGE 2

Dr. Strange Faces Dormammu

The first Doctor Strange film was released almost two years ago, in 2016. While it made more money than Ant-Man, a movie that did generate a sequel, Marvel did not exactly give a green light to a sequel starring the Sorcerer Supreme for a long while. Apparently, this was meant to keep the focus on the Doctor's role in Infinity War.

However, now that Infinity War has come and that Doctor Strange has set in motion the endgame, we can look forward to the future. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige recently confirmed that Doctor Strange 2 would of course happen, and director Scott Derrickson later cryptically hinted shooting could commence as soon as September.

5 RUMORED: ANT-MAN 3

It didn't take very long for Marvel to announce a sequel to 2015's Ant-Man following the tease of Wasp's full superhero debut. Now, here we hare three years later and Ant-Man and the Wasp has already been released, to fan and critical acclaim. While we don't know the future of the franchise yet, it appears Ant-Man 3 could very well happen.

After all, the first two Ant-Man films told their very own little story that didn't have too much of an impact on the larger Marvel Universe. Plus, co-writer and star Paul Rudd already confirmed he has ideas for the third film... and audiences really need to find out what Janet Van Dyne was up to in the Quantum Realm all those years.

4 WANT: INHUMANS

The Inhuman Royal Family, led by Black Bolt, in Marvel Comics

When Marvel first announced its plans for Phase 3, there was supposed to be an Inhumans film coming our way. However, behind-the-scenes shuffles saw the Inhumans franchise shift to the small screen, where it had an unceremonious 8-episode first season. Following its conclusion, the series was cancelled, and forgotten by all.

Therefore, it's safe to say that most fans would be more than willing to pretend like ABC's Inhumans series never happened and have the big screen movie we were originally promised. An Inhumans film could finally give fans a proper portrayal of the Royal Family, and introduce such fan-favorites as Kamala Khan's Ms. Marvel.

3 CONFIRMED: GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 released in 2017 and easily became one of Marvel's biggest film. Following its massive success, and that of its predecessor, Marvel Studios didn't waste anytime in confirming that Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 was of course happening, with an expected release date of 2020.

At the time, writer/director James Gunn had been tapped for the third film, however a recent controversy led to Gunn's firing – leaving the status of the film's script in doubt. There is no question that Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 will happen, it just may end up arriving a little later than originally expected.

2 RUMORED: CAPTAIN MARVEL 2

captain marvel brie

The first Captain Marvel, starring Brie Larson as the title character may still be seven months away, but already fans are looking to the future of the character. We already know that, while her origin story unfolded in the '90s, Carol Danvers will join the Avengers' fight against Thanos in the present. But what about after?

The truth is, Avengers 4 might feature the departure of everyone's favorite super-soldier, Steve Rogers. If that is the case, then Captain Marvel could become the new leader of the Avengers. Not only would the character have an important role to play in the team-up films, but a solo sequel could show the character getting used to modern life – just like another Captain we know.

1 WANT: CHAMPIONS

champions-header

In Marvel's current comic books, the Champions are the foremost team of teenage superheroes in the Marvel Universe. With such members as Nova, Miles Morales' Spider-Man, Amadeus Cho's Hulk, Viv Vision, Riri Williams' Ironheart and Kamala Khan's Ms. Marvel, the Champions are essentially the legacy of the Avengers.

The inclusion of the team would be one that would greatly fit into the MCU mold. By replacing Miles Morales with the still young Peter Parker, Spider-Man could take it upon himself to build a new team to follow in the footsteps of the Avengers. Then, it just becomes a matter of recruiting the newest additions to the MCU, who could come from the Nova, Vision and Inhumans films -- and more.