Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige promises that their upcoming slate of films will all have a unique voice. Marvel set itself up quite a task a few years back when they announced a schedule of movies (collectively known as Phase 3 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe) running through 2020. Since then, a few more projects have been added or altered, while Inhumans was moved from a film to a lackluster TV show. Still, Marvel Studios has maintained their momentum through the whole process, continuing to turn out massive hits.
Next month, their third film during an ambitious 2017 - their first year moving to three productions annually - will arrive when Thor: Ragnarok hits theaters. Already, the film is being hailed by critics and it could be set to top both Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and Spider-Man: Homecoming. What's also clear is that it takes a wild new approach to the Marvel formula thanks to the unique vision of director Taika Waititi. For Feige, Ragnarok is only the beginning.
Related: Thor: Ragnarok is the Beginning of a New Hulk Trilogy
Marvel Entertainment livestreamed yesterday's red carpet world premiere for Thor: Ragnarok, where Feige offered some thoughts on the future of the MCU. For him, the next four films will be unlike anything they've done so far.
“All of the next films by design have been built to be very different, to be very unique. Ragnarok, Black Panther, certainly as we get into Infinity War and even Ant-Man and the Wasp, which is nearing the end of their production period right now. All four of those movies are distinct and special and I can’t wait for people to see. Thankfully they get to see Ragnarok starting now.”
Unlike Ragnarok, we haven't heard much about the other three films so far. Black Panther and Avengers: Infinity War have both wrapped, but only the former has had any sort of public promotion thus far. The first teaser set the Internet ablaze, and a recent footage description compared the action in the film to Creed and the Kingsman films. It will also feature a predominantly black cast and move the setting outside of America to Africa, where futuristic technology and tradition will collide in the design of Wakanda.
Infinity War, meanwhile, will be unique by design. With dozens upon dozens of characters set to appear - basically everyone we've met in the franchise to date - it will be to an Avengers film what the first team-up was to blockbusters at the time. In all likelihood, it will look and feel like no other film before it has. It certainly has the budget to make this so.
Finally, there's the more low-key Ant-Man & the Wasp. We don't know much about the film but its cast so far is mighty impressive. It will also offer the MCU the chance to do a smaller and more personal story, itself something unique considering all the spectacle present in the other upcoming films.
