The Marvel Cinematic Universe wrapped up its 2019 with the release of Spider-Man: Far From Home, in what has been the biggest year for Marvel Studios since its first film in 2008. This year, the MCU delivered three films (Captain Marvel, Avengers: Endgame and Spider-Man: Far From Home) that not only received critical acclaim but also grossed more than $US 1 billion each. Avengers: Endgame also went on to break one box office record after another and is now the highest-grossing film of all time ($US 2.796 billion), surpassing James Cameron’s Avatar which held the top spot for close to 10 years.
But it looks like 2021 could be an even bigger year for Marvel Studios. Okay, maybe that’s a bit of a hyperbole. However, 2021 will see the studio release four films in a single calendar year, the first in the franchise’s more than a decade long history. The four films are, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Thor: Love and Thunder and Spider-Man 3.
Shang-Chi will feature Marvel’s first Asian superhero, played by Simu Liu. Interestingly enough, the film will also see the introduction of THE REAL Mandarin, as played by Tony Chiu-Wai Leung.
Doctor Strange 2 will see the return of Benedict Cumberbatch as the titular character. The film will also feature Elizabeth Olsen as Scarlett Witch.
Thor 4 will once again be helmed by the man who breathed life into the once dying Thor franchise, Taika Waititi. What’s super cool about the film is that Natalie Portman will be returning to the franchise as The Mighty Thor. Chris Hemsworth will be reprising his role as not-Mighty Thor.
Lastly, there’s Spider-Man 3. We frankly have no idea what the film is going to be about but we’re just glad Spider-Man is back home (pun totally intended) in the MCU where he belongs.
The early years of the Marvel Cinematic Universe saw the release of two films per year, with 2010 being the exception to the rule as the year only saw the release of Iron Man 2. The two film per year trend changed in 2017 with the release of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 and Spider-Man: Homecoming. 2018 saw the release of Black Panther, Infinity War and Ant-Man and The Wasp.
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