Buzz
2023 promises a bustling year for the MCU, spanning both cinema and television.
Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) officially enters its fifth phase in 2023, offering a deeper, more detailed exploration of the multiverse for the audience. Marvel Studios has strategically prepared for this journey with a diverse lineup of blockbuster films and TV shows.
Here's a glimpse of all the films Marvel has in store for 2023.
Ant-Man & The Wasp: Quantumania (17/2/2023)
Kicking off the MCU's fifth phase is the third solo film of the witty Scott Lang, aka Ant-Man. Ant-Man & the Wasp: Quantumania introduces the formidable antagonist Kang the Conqueror to the big screen, a significant addition to MCU's rogues' gallery after Thanos.
The latest trailer for this film reveals that Scott Lang's family will inadvertently get swept into and trapped in the quantum world. Here, they encounter Kang, quietly constructing a vast empire to prepare for the conquest of the entire multiverse.
Ant-Man & the Wasp: Quantumania welcomes back familiar names, including Paul Rudd (as Scott Lang), Evangeline Lilly (Hope van Dyne), Michael Douglas (Hank Pym), Michelle Pfeiffer (Janet van Dyne), along with new faces like Kathryn Newton (Cassandra Lang) and Jonathan Majors (Kang the Conqueror).
What If…? Season 2 (early 2023)
The animated series What If…? returns in 2023, bringing intriguing tales from alternate realities in the Marvel multiverse. Uatu the Watcher continues his role as the storyteller in the upcoming season. However, it remains unclear if the multiverse guardians from the first season will make a comeback.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, producer AC Bradley confirmed that events from MCU Phase 4 will be explored in What If…? Season 2. This suggests the potential inclusion of new characters like Shang-Chi and the Eternals in the upcoming season.
Secret Invasion (early 2023)
Nick Fury mysteriously exited the MCU after Phase 3 concluded, and the series Secret Invasion will unravel what he's been up to during this time. Drawing inspiration from Marvel Comics' storyline of the same name, Secret Invasion promises a mind-bending showdown as the Skrulls infiltrate the U.S. government with their adept shape-shifting abilities.
This series marks the return of Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury), Ben Mendelsohn (Skrull Talos), Cobie Smulders (Maria Hill), Martin Freeman (Everett K. Ross), and Don Cheadle (James Rhodes), alongside television star Emilia Clarke in an undisclosed role.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (5/5/2023)
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 serves as the epic conclusion for the cosmic Guardians in the MCU. Delving deeper into the past of some members, the film embarks on a new cosmic journey to Counter Earth—a replica of Earth but situated on the opposite side of the solar system. Here, the Guardians confront the villainous High Evolutionary, known for blending human and animal genes to create a new species.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 also introduces Adam Warlock, one of Marvel's most powerful entities, to the big screen. Details about this character were teased in the previous two films. However, Warlock's role in the upcoming film remains uncertain, and whether the MCU will portray him as a protagonist or antagonist is yet to be revealed.
The familiar cast returns in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, including Chris Pratt (Peter Quill), Zoe Saldana (Gamora), Karen Gillan (Nebula), Dave Bautista (Drax), Pom Klementieff (Mantis), Bradley Cooper (Rocket), and Vin Diesel (Groot). Will Poulter takes on the role of the film version of Adam Warlock, while Chukwudi Iwuji portrays High Evolutionary.
These three seemingly unrelated characters actually share a peculiar connection. Monica, the daughter of Maria Rambeau and close friend of Carol, and Kamala, the number one enthusiastic fan of Captain Marvel, are mysteriously linked. Moreover, all three experience an inexplicable phenomenon where they swap positions each time they use their powers. This phenomenon first occurs in the post-credits scene of the Ms. Marvel series and is likely to be further explored in the upcoming blockbuster.
The Marvels will welcome back Brie Larson (Carol Danvers), Iman Vellani (Kamala Khan), Teyonah Parris (Monica Rambeau), Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury), along with the addition of South Korean actor Park Seo-joon (Yan D’ Aladna).
Echo (late 2023)
Maya Lopez/Echo will also return to the MCU in 2023, following her appearance in the Hawkeye series as an involuntary antagonist. Maya, the leader of the Tracksuit Mafia, believes Clint Barton is responsible for her father's death. The upcoming series will explore the character's origin story and her relationship with crime lord Wilson Fisk/Kingpin.
Alaqua Cox will continue to portray Maya Lopez, alongside Vincent D’Onofrio (Wilson Fisk) and Charlie Cox (Matt Murdock). Previously, Charlie appeared in the blockbuster Spider-Man: No Way Home and She-Hulk as Daredevil. The Echo series is seen as a stepping stone for this superhero's standalone series, Daredevil: Born Again, set to premiere in early 2024.
Ironheart (late 2023)
The Phase 4 works of the MCU lightly touch on the theme of the multiverse, serving as a foundation to introduce new characters to this cinematic universe. Riri Williams/Ironheart is a standout among them, making an impressive debut in the blockbuster Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
Ironheart is considered the most worthy successor to Tony Stark in both the source material and on the big screen. She has already demonstrated her talent by independently crafting an Iron Man-inspired armor and participating in the battle between the people of Wakanda and Talokan. The story of this character will be explored further in the upcoming series, scheduled to premiere on Disney+ in the fall of 2023.
Agatha: Coven of Chaos (late 2023)
Agatha is the main antagonist in the WandaVision series, also playing a role in helping Wanda unleash Chaos Magic within her and become Scarlet Witch. In the series finale, Wanda drains Agatha's powers and wipes her memory, trapping her indefinitely in Westview with the identity of the quirky neighbor Agnes.
Currently, Marvel Studios remains tight-lipped about the content and setting of Agatha: Coven of Chaos. However, there's a high likelihood that this series will share a similar tone with WandaVision, as both projects are shaped under the guidance of producer Jac Shaffer. Additionally, this presents a great opportunity for Marvel to bring Scarlet Witch back to the silver screen in preparation for larger multiverse events in the future.
Source: Marvel Studios, CBR
