Phase Five?

If the Marvel Cinematic Universe expands into Phase Five, we envisage two key things happening; the arrival of a bunch of characters currently tied up in Fox Studios and a predominantly space-based phase.

The Inhumans will likely still be part of the franchise, but only the key characters – like Black Bolt – will remain as prominent characters and that leaves space for the arrival of mutants (heck, the mutant characters might even be Inhumans in the MCU).

The reputation of the Fantastic Four as a movie brand is currently in tatters and Marvel Studios should have no current interest in them but, come the time of a potential Phase Five, it could well be the time to bring them over to the MCU. Therefore, expect both X-Men and Fantastic Four movies (Doctor Doom in the MCU, anyone?) in this phase.

Most prominently, the key locations and stories will take place in space. More space-based characters, therefore, will be added (Gladiator and the Silver Surfer et al) and we might get a Secret Wars storyline (based on the 1980s comic book arc of the same name, not the recent one) or an Annihilation storyline. Expect Spider-Man to continue being involved in everything and, quite possibly, be the icon of the franchise.