Just when we thought the Marvel Cinematic Universe couldn’t get bigger or more successful, Black Panther brought things to another level. However, according to Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige, that was kind of the plan all along. Feige revealed that, and a whole lot more, in a few wide-ranging interviews with Entertainment Weekly, and we have some thoughts to share.
Anthony Mackie’s Falcon takes flight over Wakanda in Avengers: Infinity War. Photo: Disney
Feige told EW “the whole third act” of Avengers: Infinity War is set in Wakanda, which was all shot well before Black Panther was finished. The plan to push forward with Black Panther, even before the film went on to gross $US500 million ($641 million) domestic and counting, is also why sequels were already being considered. And it’s why the studio is going all in on Captain Marvel, a ’90s-set superhero movie that will predate the rest of the MCU. Marvel is pretty strict about keeping things under wraps but here’s what Feige was willing to divulge:
Black Panther, dropping into action. Photo: Disney
Updates on Black Panther sequels?
Nothing specific to reveal, other than to say we absolutely will do that. One of the favourite pastimes at Marvel Studios is sitting around on a Part One and talking and dreaming about what we would do in a Part Two. There have been plenty of those conversations as we were putting together the first Black Panther. We have ideas and a pretty solid direction on where we want to head with the second one.
Could there be Black Panther spinoffs too?
I think there’s lots of potential. It’s a balance between leaving people wanting more and then giving them too much, but I would watch a movie about any of those characters [Dora Milaje, Shuri] you just named. I think Shuri’s astounding, and you’ll see much more of her in our universe. Okoye, I think I’d watch three action films just Okoye. I’m not saying we’re doing that, but I’m saying that we’re intrigued by them. Frankly, as I’ve said before, finishing these first 22 movies is really all we’re thinking about at this point.
A scene from X-Men Apocalypse. Photo: Fox
Is he thinking about Fox properties such as the X-Men or Fantastic Four becoming available?
No. It’s all about getting Infinity War finished and out, starting Captain Marvel, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Untitled Avengers, the next Spider-Man, and Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 3.
What are some more details on Captain Marvel?
We wanted to explore a period before Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury had any idea about any of the other heroes and crazy stuff going on in the world. You know, we first met Nick when he told Tony, “You’re part of a big universe. You just don’t know yet.” Well, we want to go back to a time when he didn’t know it yet, and really showcase and announce that Carol Danvers was that first hero that Nick came across. That meant she could be the singular hero, but place it within timing of the MCU. It also got us talking about different genres, exploring this notion of sort of the ’90s action film. We hadn’t necessarily done anything like that before either, so there are definitely homages to our favourite ’90s action films within Captain Marvel.
Kevin Feige (centre) with a few faces you may recognise taken at D23 Expo in 2017. Photo: Disney
What happens after Avengers 4?
With Infinity War, it’s coming to a climax, coming to a conclusion of seeds with all the MacGuffins in various movies, and with Untitled Avengers a year later, bringing what will be that first 22 movie arc to a finality. That doesn’t mean there are no movies after that. Of course not. It means the movies after that will be changed.
Will the characters that die in the upcoming Avengers movies stay dead?
I would just say, yes. People need to be careful what they wish for.
Read the full interview at the link below. And find out what this all means starting April 25 when Avengers: Infinity War opens.