After closing out the Infinity Saga in 2019 with Avengers: Endgame, Marvel has turned its attention to the multiverse. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, which hits theaters on Friday, marks the beginning of Phase 5 and will introduce a new villain, Kang the Conqueror.
Kevin Feige, who’s produced every film in the MCU since Iron Man in 2008, sat down with EW for an in-depth interview and teased Marvel’s plans for Phases 4, 5, and 6 – the “Multiverse Saga” – all leading up to Avengers: The Kang Dynasty (2025) and Secret Wars (2026).
Feige described a collection of films and TV shows of varying tones and a slow-down in the number of yearly releases. “As we get further into Phase 5 and 6. The pace at which we’re putting out the Disney+ shows will change so they can each get a chance to shine.” When asked whether this would mean spacing the shows out or putting out fewer, Feige answered, “Both, I think.”
The new saga will also focus on balancing the history of the MCU with the ability to connect with new audiences. “We don’t ever want it to seem exclusive or that you need to have done your homework before watching something,” says Feige. “Does everything have to appeal to everybody? It would be nice. But I think that’s impossible. And if you try to do that, you’re going to find yourself in such a small funnel and pipeline that things will get similar and boring and atrophy very, very quickly.”
The new saga will also introduce Kang the Conqueror, played by Jonathan Majors. Feige cheered on Major’s performance, saying: “We’ve always had the inkling that Kang would be an amazing follow-up to Thanos. He’s got that equal stature in the comics, but he’s a completely different villain… He’s so unique from Thanos, which we really liked.”
Upcoming projects include the MCU’s first Deadpool film, which will see the return of Hugh Jackman; The Marvels and Secret Invasion, both of which follow-up immediately after the end of Captain Marvel 1; Captain America: New World Order, which casts Harrison Ford as U.S. President Thaddeus Ross; Thunderbolts; a Blade movie; and a Daredevil show on Disney+. Feige also hinted that the Fantastic Four would eventually appear as a significant pillar of the MCU.
Leave a Comment