A big question is looming in the minds of Marvel fans: "What is the studio planning for Phase 3?" Marvel Studios has expressed interest in greatly diversifying and broadening their cinematic universe. They consider Phase 3 to be an important part of this goal. Below are eight films which I consider the most likely to be released.
MARVEL PHASE 3
ANT-MAN
--- In development since 2004; Edgar Wright and Joe Cornish hired to write the script; Edgar Wright to direct.
--- Announced May 2008.
--- “I had a copy of the Tales to Astonish comic from the early 60s, which has his origin story. And I’ve been a fan ever since. I think it’s a really interesting high-concept idea. [...] I know there’s a big stigma attached to it, mostly because every movie about shrinking has been about people in peril. I think it’d be great to do a shrinking film about a bad-ass secret agent. [...] Even something like The Incredible Shrinking Man, which is a fantastic film, is about a guy in trouble. But this is going to be nothing like that. It’s essentially a high-tech spy heist film with somebody with a very particular power.” (Edgar Wight, Aug 2010)
--- Possibly featuring a modified version of the Eric O’Grady Ant-Man (first appearance in The Irredeemable Ant-Man #1, September 2010).
--- Entered Pre-production in July 2011.
--- Nathan Fillion, suggested by many fans, stated that he does not want to play Ant-Man. (May 2012)
--- No casting announcements yet.
--- Production to begin in 2013.
--- Scheduled for release on November 6, 2015.
DOCTOR STRANGE
--- Planned since April 2005.
--- Entered development for awhile in 2008.
--- In development since June 2010; Thomas Dean Donnelly and Joshua Oppenheimer hired to write the script.
--- Was to be a part of Phase 2 (Kevin Feige, Oct 2011), but later moved to Phase 3.
--- Patrick Dempsey is being considered for the role of Doctor Strange.
--- “Our next step, will be to introduce a character outside the Avengers’ world.” (Kevin Feige, May 2012)
--- "Ant-Man is definitely part of Phase Three. [...] Doctor Strange, which I’ve been talking about for years, is definitely one of them. (Kevin Feige, January 2012)
--- Probable release: 2016.
BLACK PANTHER
--- Planned since September 2005.
--- "I think Black Panther and Wakanda has some amazing potential to be a feature film." (Kevin Feige, August 2010)
--- In development since January 2011; Mark Bailey hired to write the script.
--- Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Gbenga Akinnagbe, and Anthony Mackie, are each vying for the role of T'Challa/Black Panther.
--- Raw Leiba wants the part of N'Jadaka/Erik Killmonger.
--- "Black Panther is being developed..." (Stan Lee, November 2012)
--- Probable release: 2016
IRON FIST
--- Marvel planned to produce the movie through Artisan Entertainment in May 2000.
--- Entered development in 2000.
--- In pre-production from August 2002 to March 2007.
--- Dropped from pre-production in March 2007.
--- In planning at Marvel Studios since March 2009.
--- Re-entered development in August 2010; Rich Wilkes hired to write the script.
--- "A very talented writer is currently working on a draft." (Kevin Fiege, December 2010)
--- The story is inspired by the Ed Brubaker-Matt Fraction series.
--- Kevin Pennington is being considered for the role of Danny Rand/Iron Fist.
--- Probable release: 2016.
THE INHUMANS
--- Planned since March 2011.
--- In development since October 2011.
--- Script status: unknown.
--- "Black Panther is being developed... The Inhumans... will eventually be made into movies." (Stan Lee, November 2012)
--- Probable release: 2017.
THE BLACK WIDOW
--- Planned since September 2010.
--- Development delayed until after release of MARVEL'S THE AVENGERS.
--- "We've already started discussions with Scarlett about the idea of a solo movie and have begun putting together concepts, but The Avengers comes first." (Kevin Feige, September 2010)
--- No script yet, no writers have been hired.
--- Probable release: 2017.
THE INCREDIBLE HULK 2
--- Planned since April 2012.
--- "We certainly are not even going to attempt that [ie. a new Hulk movie] until Avengers 2." (Kevin Feige, September 2012)
--- Planet Hulk/World War Hulk rumor debunked. (Robin91939, February 2013; also followup 1, followup 2)
--- Planet Hulk/World War Hulk rumor debunked. (a href="http://forums.superherohype.com/showpost.php?p=25124801&postcount=549">Moridin, February 2013)
--- No script yet, no writers have been hired.
--- Probable release: 2017.
MARVEL'S THE AVENGERS 3
--- Planned since October 2010.
--- No script yet, no writers have been hired.
--- Expected release: 2018.
RUNAWAYS, IRON MAN 4, THOR 3, and CAPTAIN AMERICA 3, in Phase 4.
Currently, Marvel is only releasing two movies per year, but they do intend to up that number. Kevin Feige was asked: "What's the long range goal for Marvel? How many movies do you think you can release in a year financially, feasibly? Do you think two a year is to be expected or do you think you might reach a point of three per year?"
He answered, "I think we could, yeah. I think that is a long term goal. I think one of our business executives just kind of indicated that on one of these earning calls they do. [...] If the films keep succeeding there will be a well from which to pull financing to make two films, three films, four films a year. The question is what those films are going to be. How much are they going to cannibalize the whole notion of a Marvel movie. I think the only way that you could go beyond three movies a year is if they're different. You do a Dr. Strange supernatural movie in March, two tent poles in the summer, a family comedy in September or October, maybe a fantasy tent pole at Christmas. Something like that, spread them out, but they have to be different." (a href="http://herochat.com/forum/index.php?topic=203361.0;wap2">Kevin Feige, June 2009)
Okay, so when do we get the official announcements? That's a good question, and since I don't have Marvel's itinerary - I don't know. Remember, Marvel Studios is focused on Phase 2 right now, so they are not in any hurry to make Phase 3 announcements. I think we'll get the release dates for Doctor Strange and the Black Panther sometime after Guardians of the Galaxy goes into full production in June. Iron Fist, the Inhumans, Black Widow, and the Incredible Hulk 2, will probably be announced at the 2014 San Diego Comic Con, and Marvel's the Avengers 3 should be announced in 2014 or 2015.