Marvel Studios Unveils Phase 3 of its Cinematic Universe

Marvel Studios revealed some huge news today during a special event at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood. As fans followed along via a live blog, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige revealed the films that will make up Phase 3 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, featuring a mix of fan-favorite characters and several heroes who will be making their big-screen debuts.

A full press release has been issued so we can break down this cool news including that the next two films to be released by Marvel are "Avengers: Age of Ultron" on May 1, 2015, and "Ant-Man" on July 17, 2015. The dates and titles of nine additional films through 2019, including upcoming Captain America, Thor, Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy installments, along with films featuring Black Panther – who, Feige announced, will be played by Chadwick Boseman – Captain Marvel, Doctor Strange, and the Inhumans. Here is the remainder of the release with the crucial dates:

The announced films are as follows:

· 5/1/15 – AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON
· 7/17/15 – ANT-MAN
· 5/6/16 – CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR
· 11/4/16 – DOCTOR STRANGE
· 5/5/17 – GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY 2 (previously dated 7/28/17)
· 7/28/17 – THOR: RAGNAROK
· 11/3/17 – BLACK PANTHER
· 5/4/18 – AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR PART I
· 7/6/18 – CAPTAIN MARVEL
· 11/2/18 – INHUMANS
· 5/3/19 – AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR PART II


Ten films have already been released in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, beginning with 2008’s IRON MAN. All 10 films opened at #1 domestically and have collectively grossed over $7.1 billion globally.

Two of these films, MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS and IRON MAN 3, set records as the #1 and #2 domestic openings of all time with $207.4 million and $174.1 million respectively. MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS went on to become the third biggest film of all time worldwide, while Marvel’s IRON MAN 3 ranks as the sixth biggest film ever. They are the two highest grossing Super Hero films of all time.

Earlier this year, Marvel’s CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER, which broke the April opening domestic record with $95 million, earned $714 million worldwide and is the #5 film of 2014. Most recently, Marvel’s GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY crossed $757 million globally after opening with a domestic August record of $94.3 million and setting an October debut record in China, where it has now grossed nearly $90 million. It’s the #1 film of the year domestically and the #3 film worldwide.

For full coverage of today’s event, visit marvel.com.

Now it's time for you to sound off. What's your favorite part of the announcement? What film are you most excited about? Also, please enjoy the "Age of Ultron" trailer again and be sure to tune in to "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D" tonight at 9 p.m. ET on ABC for a special look at "Age of Ultron."



-Larissa Mrykalo