Marvel announces Black Panther, female Captain Marvel, next 5 years of your life

Not to be outdone by Warner Bros.’ unveiling of its DC Comics slate, or other, ordinary events that have nothing to do with comic-book movies, Marvel Studios hosted its own mystery “special event” today at Los Angeles’ El Capitan Theatre. And there the mystery was revealed to be more Marvel comic-book movies, to be produced and released at a steady pace over the next five years. And while that’s not a surprise—especially given the slew of hints about Marvel’s future in recent weeks—the event did have one up its sleeve: a Black Panther movie starring Chadwick Boseman, who joined Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige, Chris Evans, and Robert Downey Jr. on stage to be officially welcomed to the fold. Marvel also released the below concept art, confirming there’s a new kitty in town. A discipline kitty.

And here all the movies announced today as part of Marvel’s Phase Three, and the next five years of our lives:

Captain America: Civil War (May 6, 2016). The third Captain America film was initially teased with the subtitle Serpent Society, suggesting it would find Cap invited to a fancy gala to mingle with the who’s who of snakes. But then Feige revealed that was all a hilarious ruse. Instead, it will introduce the Civil War storyline most already knew it would.

Doctor Strange (Nov. 4, 2016), which was reported yesterday to have Benedict Cumberbatch in the lead, did not have any sort of official casting announcement today. In fact, Feige explicitly told reporters he was not confirmed, graciously giving them at least another week or so of speculative stories.

Guardians Of The Galaxy 2 (May 5, 2017). Goofy subtitle to come, maybe.

Thor: Ragnarok (July 28, 2017). Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston return for this reportedly game-changing, “very important” third movie in the Thor series, based on the Norse legend of John Hodgman’s comedy special.

Black Panther (Nov. 3, 2017). With 42 star Boseman on board as T’Challa, Feig says Black Panther will first turn up in Captain America 3, while his solo movie will introduce the nation of Wakanda to the rest of the world with the expected, exciting consequences (i.e. lengthy discussions of trade regulations).

Avengers: Infinity War Part 1 (May, 2018). The beginning of the massive Infinity War events that were first teased by Robert Downey Jr., the third Avengers movie could feature a very different roster of Avengers assembling, if Feige’s recent comments to Buzzfeed are anything to go on.

Captain Marvel (July 6, 2018). “I want to make it very clear that this Captain Marvel’s name is Carol Danvers,” Feige said, making it extra clear that this means that Marvel will have a female-led superhero movie soon, while making it super clear we can all stop bugging him about that now. In fact, Feige said it’s been in the works as long as Guardians Of The Galaxy, so there.

Inhumans (Nov. 2, 2018). The Jack Kirby-created, Fantastic Four spinoff characters will get their own movie—separate from that franchise, unless this mess is all worked out by then—focusing on this advanced race evolved from the Kree’s genetic experiments on early man. According to Heat Vision’s Borys Kit, Feige said, “Where they fit into the universe you will find out sooner than you expect.” Meanwhile, everyone anxiously awaits whether the introduction of the Inhumans’ Lockjaw will mean The Pet Avengers is close behind.

Avengers: Infinity War Part 2 (May 3, 2019). And finally, one assumes that all of the above will somehow collide in this massive conclusion to the Infinity War storyline, before the decks are cleared for a Phase Four of movies about Marvel superheroes taking well-deserved vacations.

[h/t Bleeding Cool, Comic Book Resources, The Hollywood Reporter]