Marvel Cinematic Universe: Phase Four

Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is a group of American superhero films and television series produced by Marvel Studios based on characters that appear in publications by Marvel Comics. The MCU is the shared universe in which all of the films and series are set. This was the first phase to include television content from Marvel Studios, with multiple series and specials—marketed as "Marvel Studios Special Presentations"—produced for the streaming service Disney+. The franchise also expanded to animation from Marvel Studios Animation. The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the phase, leading to various schedule changes. It ultimately began with the series WandaVision in January 2021 and ended with the special The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special in November 2022. Phases Four, Five, and Six make up "The Multiverse Saga" storyline. Kevin Feige produced every film in the phase, with Amy Pascal also producing Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)—a co-production between Marvel Studios and Columbia Pictures—and Marvel Studios executives Jonathan Schwartz, Nate Moore, and Brad Winderbaum also producing some of the phase's other films. The films star Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow in Black Widow (2021), Simu Liu as Xu Shang-Chi in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021), Gemma Chan as Sersi in Eternals (2021), Tom Holland as Peter Parker / Spider-Man in No Way Home, Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr. Stephen Strange in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022), Chris Hemsworth as Thor in Thor: Love and Thunder (2022), and Letitia Wright as Shuri / Black Panther in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022). Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures distributed the films except for No Way Home, which was released by Sony Pictures Releasing. The phase's films grossed over US$5 billion at the global box office. Unlike previous MCU television series that were produced by Marvel Television, separately from Marvel Studios, the Phase Four Disney+ series were overseen by Feige and have close connections to the MCU films, starring actors from the films or introducing new characters for future film appearances. The television series star Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch and Paul Bettany as Vision in WandaVision, Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson / Falcon and Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes / Winter Soldier in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021), Tom Hiddleston as Loki in the first season of Loki (2021), Jeffrey Wright as the Watcher in the first season of the animated What If...? (2021), Jeremy Renner as Clint Barton / Hawkeye and Hailee Steinfeld as Kate Bishop / Hawkeye in Hawkeye (2021), Oscar Isaac as Marc Spector / Moon Knight and Steven Grant / Mr. Knight in Moon Knight (2022), Iman Vellani as Kamala Khan / Ms. Marvel in Ms. Marvel (2022), and Tatiana Maslany as Jennifer Walters / She-Hulk in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (2022). In addition to the feature films and television series, the phase also includes two television specials: Werewolf by Night (2022) starring Gael García Bernal as Jack Russell / Werewolf by Night and The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special starring Chris Pratt as Peter Quill / Star-Lord. The first season of the I Am Groot animated shorts and some tie-in comic books are also included. Benedict Wong has the most appearances in the phase, starring or making cameo appearances as Wong in three films and two television series. The large expansion of the MCU compared to previous phases led to discussions about quality versus quantity and whether Marvel Studios still had a plan for the franchise.