Marvel 'phase three' film announcement: What to expect from Doctor Strange to Black Panther

Scroll to see the slate of forthcoming releases below

Iron Man and Captain America in a scene from "The Avengers" ahead of the release of next The Avengers: Age of Ultron (AP Photo/Disney)

Marvel has revealed the names and release dates of its forthcoming ‘phase three’ films, which are set to run until 2019.

In an unprecedented move, Marvel Studios nnounced that two new films, Black Panther and Captain Marvel, will centre on a black and female character for the first time.

The films announced will be a mixture of sequels and new titles based on the Marvel comic books.

Marvel Studio chief Kevin Fiege said the new slate of films was “about bringing new characters to the screen”, and defended the studio’s decision not to focus more on well-known characters such as Black Widow and Hulk.

He added that the first 10 Marvel films, which began in 2008 with Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk, have made over $7 billion at the global box office.

Marvel’s ‘phase three’ film schedule

6 May, 2016: Captain America: Civil War

The version of this story- which differs from the comic book - will be about government control of the Avengers, and there is expected to be a rift between Captain America and Iron Man. Robert Downey Jr is said to be in talks to play Iron Man in the film.

4 November, 2016: Doctor Strange

No announcement was made about whether Benedict Cumberbatch would play the lead in the film. Instead, Marvel said the movie will introduce audiences to the supernatural side of the Marvel Comic Universe and show “the world of parallel dimensions”.

5 May 5, 2017: Guardians of the Galaxy 2

James Gunn is set to direct the sequel to this year’s Marvel blockbuster. “We knew the [first] movie was going to do well, we didn’t know how well,” Fiege said.

28 July, 2017: Thor: Ragnarok

The sequel is said to be a “very important movie for phase three” and is set to pick up after the events of Avengers 2. “Ragnarok” means “the end of things”, which could hint at what’s to come.

3 Nov, 2017: Black Panther

In a first for Marvel Studios, Chadwick Boseman will play the first black male superhero in the 2017 movie. Fiege said he hoped the character would become as significant to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as he is in the comics.

4 May, 2018: The Avengers: Infinity War — Part I

After the trailer for The Avengers: Age of Ultron became the most-watched Marvel trailer of all time last week, anticipation for Infinity War is high despite being four years away. Marvel said the film is the “beginning of the culmination of everything that has come before”.

6 July, 2018: Captain Marvel

Set to be played by a woman, Captain Marvel will take the form of Carol Danvers from Marvel’s comic books. Her origins are said to be “very much earthbound” and her adventures and powerbase come from “the cosmic realm”. While casting of Black Panther has been announced, the actress set to play Carol Danvers will not be revealed for some time.

2 Nov, 2018: Inhumans

The Inhumans movie will be released in the middle of the two Avengers: Infinity War films, but Marvel hopes the film will develop to become a franchise or series of franchises "unto themselves”.

3 May, 2019: The Avengers: Infinity War — Part II

Fiege would not confirm rumours at the announcement whether Joe and Anthony Russo are in talks to direct both Infinity War films.

Read more: Marvel reveals female Thor
Marvel announces black Captain America