What’s Next for Marvel After Avengers: Endgame?

It’s finally here and doing everything we thought it would. Avengers: Endgame is headed toward a record-breaking weekend after opening to a mighty $169 million in its initial day of global release.

That total includes a $107.5 million debut in China, an $8.4 million launch in South Korea, a $7 million bow in Australia and a $6 million day one in France. It’s no surprise to note that it shatters industry records for a single-day gross in as many markets.

Domestically, Avengers: Endgame is expected to gross as much as $260 million. Box office experts predict that the film will net more than $800 million globally in its first weekend.

After all is said and done, where does Marvel go from here?

Endgame is the wrap up for a truly epic and sprawling story but it doesn’t close out Phase 3 of Marvel’s plans. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has been pretty mum on the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. “As we’ve been doing for years, we aren’t going to announce anything post Avengers: Endgame or Spider-Man [Far From Home] until post Endgame and Spider-Man,” Feige told ComicBook.com.

What we do know is Marvel’s calendar for 2020 and beyond. We have a list of theatrical dates with no titles.

May 1, 2020
July 31, 2020
November 6, 2020
February 12, 2021
May 7, 2021
November 5, 2021
February 18, 2022
May 6, 2022
July 29, 2022

What we do have are clues from past interviews about what to expect.

Later this year we’ll be getting Spider-Man: Far From Home, which will close out Phase 3. During an Endgame promotional event in Shanghai, Feige made it clear. “It’s the end of the third phase,” he explained. “You’re the first person I told that to.”

The Spider-Man: Homecoming sequel is the only movie in the MCU with a set release date. After the first trailer dropped, we all realized that both Peter Parker and Nick Fury would survive Endgame. However, Tony Stark–who was Parker’s mentor in Homecoming–is nowhere to be found.

What else do we have? How about Black Widow? Back in July 2018, it was rumored that Marvel had spoken to more than 60 female directors to head the movie with Cate Shortland picked to direct and Ned Branson to write. Rumors are swirling that it’s close to going into production but that’s all we have. Rumors.

Black Panther made $1.3 billion at the box office and picked up three Oscars. A sequel is a no-brainer. Ryan Coogler is set to return to write and direct and it’s just a matter of time before it’s announced.

One project that’s gotten some recent buzz is Shang-Chi. Dave Callaham is set to write and Destin Daniel Cretton to direct.

Director and writer Scott Derrickson will return to do Doctor Strange 2 and it look like he’s just waiting on an acceptable script.

Back in April 2018, Feige spoke about the Eternals, inspiring plenty of rumors. “Eternals is one of many many many things that we are actively beginning to have creative discussions about to see if we believe in them enough to put them on a slate,” Feige explained. We’ll see on this one.

When it comes to sure bets, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 has found new life as director and writer James Gunn was rehired by Disney. Right now it’s a matter of timing as Gunn is writing and directing Suicide Squad 2 for 2021.

Like Black Panther, Captain Marvel 2 did amazing at the box office, with a worldwide total at $1,094,340,771. Numbers like that make it easy to assume a sequel is a sure thing.

What else could we have? I know they said the Fantastic Four and the X-Men were on hold but that could change at any time. Then we have a possible Ant-Man And The Wasp 2, Blade, Ms Marvel, or maybe give the Hulk another shot at solo success.

No matter what, it’s going to be fun to watch how Phase 4 shapes up.