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Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has revealed major plans for the MCU's future, including a comprehensive roadmap extending to 2042 and confirmation that the X-Men will form the cornerstone of the post-Secret Wars universe.
Avengers Doomsday and Secret Wars confirmed as pivotal events
Feige confirmed that Secret Wars will not be split into two parts, addressing long-standing speculation about the film's structure. More importantly, he detailed how Avengers Secret Wars will function as a major turning point for the franchise.
Avengers Doomsday and Secret Wars will heavily draw inspiration from the Marvel Comics storylines "Time Runs Out" and "Secret Wars." The two films will serve dual purposes: tying up storylines that began before Iron Man, including the original X-Men characters, while simultaneously setting the stage for an entirely new era.
Unlike Avengers Endgame, which served as a definitive ending, Avengers Secret Wars will be a beginning. According to Feige, the film will "establish a streamlined, simplified, single universe that allows us to keep going." The MCU will transition from a multiverse format to one consolidated universe that combines elements from multiple realities, preserving beloved characters and stories from the past while introducing new ones.
The X-Men saga takes center stage
Feige emphasized that the X-Men will be fundamentally at the core of the next MCU phase. Acquiring the X-Men rights goes far beyond bringing in individual characters like Wolverine. Instead, the X-Men represent an entire universe and multi-phase saga in themselves.
The MCU will maintain one overarching universe but contain distinct storylines and worlds within it. The X-Men will have their own narrative arc similar to the cosmic side with Nova and the Eternals, the Fantastic Four's storyline, and the Avengers' adventures. Eventually, these separate threads will converge, creating the interconnected storytelling the MCU is known for.
Planning extends to 2042
In a surprising revelation, Feige stated that Marvel Studios has already mapped out movies up until 2042. While he acknowledged that plans may change and actual films might differ from the roadmap, having this extensive guidance helps the studio act with greater purpose.
This long-term planning is particularly crucial for the X-Men storyline. With ten previous X-Men films to build upon, some of which delivered on their promise and others that didn't, Feige emphasized the importance of carefully laying out "the mutant saga" in a grand manner.
Avengers Doomsday differs from Endgame
Feige described Avengers Doomsday as fundamentally different from Avengers Endgame. While Endgame united heroes against a common enemy in Thanos, Doomsday presents a far more complex scenario. Three different universes and three different Earths are literally colliding with one another. Heroes will face the crucial question of whether they'll fight each other to protect their own worlds or find a way to work together to save all three.
Doctor Doom will play a central role in this conflict, though Feige did not elaborate on specifics.
Miles Morales coming to live-action MCU
Feige confirmed that Marvel Studios absolutely has plans for a live-action Miles Morales and stated that it is "the destiny of the live-action Spider-Man movies to have Miles join" after the animated Spider-Verse series concludes.
Producer Amy Pascal is already working on the project. With the final animated film, Beyond the Spider-Verse, arriving next year, the path is clearing for Miles to enter the MCU. Feige indicated they have discussed potential storylines for the next two to five Spider-Man films.
This development suggests that while Tom Holland may eventually step away from the role of Peter Parker, Miles Morales could become the live-action Spider-Man of the MCU's future.
What's coming next
Feige hinted that major surprises are coming at San Diego Comic-Con, potentially including new footage for Avengers Doomsday or detailed reveals about the MCU's future direction and the mutant saga. The combination of existing beloved characters and franchises with entirely new storylines suggests Marvel Studios is positioning itself for sustained success well into the next decade.
