New details has arrived concerning the filming schedules of Avengers 4, Captain Marvel, and Ant-Man & the Wasp, signaling the beginning of the end for Marvel's Phase 3. It's hard to believe that the ambitious film slate Marvel announced a few years ago is now almost in the rearview. Since that time, Inhumans was moved to TV and Spider-Man: Homecoming and a sequel to Ant-Man were added. Even still, we're now headed towards the end of Phase 3 and an unknown future for the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Later this year, Homecoming and Thor: Ragnarok will hit theaters, while Black Panther is all set to bow early next year. The film has already wrapped and the Black Panther teaser is now a huge hit online. Meanwhile, this time next year will finally bring us the epic culmination of the MCU so far when Avengers: Infinity War hits theaters. Despite the massive scope of the film, however, it won't be the end of Phase 3. Three more movies will still be left on Marvel's docket, and each are on the verge of starting production. While Infinity War and Avengers 4 were once set to film side-by-side, the new tactic will have them shooting back-to-back—and that transition is almost upon us.
In three separate reports, Omega Underground has uncovered the production information for Avengers 4, Captain Marvel, and Ant-Man & the Wasp, indicating when and where each will be shooting. Surprising no one, all three will film in Atlanta, something we've known was likely for some time given Marvel's studio there. Despite a few conflicting reports, however, we now know the exact dates each will start and finish filming. Ant-Man 2 (aka 'Cherry Blue') and Avengers 4 (aka 'Mary Lou 2') will begin production next month on July 6 and 17, respectively, with the former wrapping on November 30 of this year and the latter completing production on December 13.
There's no word if that means Infinity War will finish filming by next month, or if the two will overlap. It could also mean Infinity War will simply move out of Atlanta, allowing the other two films to begin work. Finally, despite word that Captain Marvel (aka 'Warbird') wouldn't shoot until February of next year, it now looks like the film will commence on January 8 and run until May 11.
The overlapping schedule for Ant-Man 2 and Avengers 4 could also indicate some sort of connection between the two films. Given the cosmic nature of Infinity War and Captain Marvel, Ant-Man & the Wasp coming between them and the final Avengers film of Phase 3 has always seemed odd. Of course, we recently learned that Captain Marvel will explore the Quantum Realm first seen in Ant-Man and later appearing in Doctor Strange, so perhaps all four of the movies will feature a cosmic and/or extra-dimensional through-line.
Meanwhile, news about each film continues to trickle out. Captain Marvel now has a pair of directors and we have learned why Chris Evans renewed his contract for Avengers 4. Meanwhile, Ant-Man & the Wasp continues to expand its cast with every passing day, with Killjoys star Hannah John-Kamen being the most recent cast addition to the sequel.
While we still have a while to wait before the final films of Marvel's Phase 3 hit theaters, the upcoming productions of Avengers 4, Captain Marvel, and Ant-Man & the Wasp mean more news on all three should be arriving soon.
MORE: What Comes Next for Marvel After Phase 3?
Source: Omega Underground [2] [3]
