Until a couple of weeks ago, Inhumans was set to be the first movie of the MCU's Fourth Phase - and it was a rather highly anticipated film that would have brought into play in the shared universe a large number of superpowered beings. Its origin story would have been completely unique in comparison with anything seen so far in the cinematic universe.

However, the project was postponed, with no new release date set. New reports say that Kevin Feige didn't agree with this project when it was first proposed - so it appears that it may be canceled. It isn't as if this is the first time Inhumans has been delayed and moved further down the line to make way for other movies.

But now a new question arises: Without Inhumans, which movie will move into its place to follow the defeat of Thanos? Could it be a big sequel, as it happened with the previews phases? Or, could it be a rather unknown property, similar to Guardians of the Galaxy?

Let's open with what could be the most anticipated movie since Iron Man 3.

Iron Man 4

Until now, Marvel has never gone beyond the third movie of a solo franchise. Iron Man, Captain America (kind of), and Ragnarok all concluded with third installments. However, while promoting the Civil War, Robert Downey Jr. said that he believes he can do another Iron Man flick.

Could be a hint! And, if Iron Man 4 is to replace the Inhumans as the first film of Phase IV, it could be the best of all beginnings, since the MCU started with Iron Man.

Admit it - you want this to happen, too, since the most iconic Iron Man villain hasn't been featured on the big screen just yet. So, Marvel, bring in the real Mandarin, let him live (as opposed to killing him, like most MCU villains), and then let others deal with him.

Come on - I know I’m not the only one who thinks this would be cool.

But what if Iron Man isn’t the first MCU solo franchise to move on to a fourth movie?

Captain America: Serpent Society

Remember a couple of years ago when Chris Evans said that he wasn't interested in doing movies any longer and that he'd retire as soon as his Marvel contract expired? Well, the actor changed his tune completely after his role grew in the MCU - first with Avengers, and then with the more-than-awesome The Winter Soldier.

Now Chris Evans doesn't want to leave the MCU - and, after seeing Civil War, I’m more than fine with it. In fact, I’m so fine that a fourth Captain America flick sounds like an awesome idea!

In the comics, Captain America dies at the end of Civil War, but things didn't happen that way in the movie. But what if the MCU’s Steve Rogers dies after the Infinity War, when he – and the rest of the Avengers, individually - try to deal with the aftermath of the Mad Titan's defeat and the resulting power void? What if HYDRA is indeed replaced by a Serpent Society that unites all of the most powerful Captain America villains under one banner?

Following Civil War, I can safely say that the Captain America solo franchise is way better than Iron Man’s franchise. Maybe Chris Evans’ contract should be extended to make another movie or two.

But look who stole the show in Civil War, even in scenes with Captain America:

Spider-Man 2

The title of the first solo MCU Spider-Man flick is Homecoming - the web crawler is finally back with his Marvel Comics brothers and sisters! But the title also reveals (allegedly) some interesting details about the movie’s plot.

Homecoming was the story in which Peter Parker first donned the symbiote suit! And if you were disappointed by Venom from the Sam Raimi franchise, only the MCU can do it better!

Obviously, seeing how serialized the MCU has become, I don't actually expect Venom’s first appearance on Earth to take place in Homecoming. Furthermore, Kevin Feige has said that the first Spider-Man flick will feature a villain who hasn't yet appeared on the big screen.

So, what if Marvel puts Venom in the sequel? And what if the sequel is the first movie of Phase Four (I’m aware of Sony’s plans, but still)? Spider-Man is, after all, the most well-known Marvel character. He can certainly attract audiences, and might bring the best opening for any MCU phase.

Let's change the tune, starting with the next page.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. III

Guardians of the Galaxy is another existing solo franchise that’s set to release a sequel in 2017. The first installment surprised everybody, with an excellent haul at the box office and positive reaction from the critics. It’s expected that the second Guardians movie will do just the same.

A third movie could directly follow Infinity War - this would make sense, since the Guardians are the only ones (thus far) who travel throughout the Universe and are able to discover even worse threats than Thanos.

We'd have the Guardians exploring the galaxy, defeating whatever remained of the Mad Titan's forces. But what if they stumble on something they can’t beat? Or, what if they inadvertently awaken an even more powerful force?

While James Gunn isn't certain that he'd do a third Guardians of the Galaxy flick, if the second one again pleasantly surprises everybody, who knows? A third would be the best way to change the entire roster and allow the solo franchise to move ahead anew.

Of course, a new villain shouldn't come from the far reaches of the universe. There is already a powerful superhero who is closer and  has a very interesting, and powerful, rogues gallery.

Doctor Strange 2

If there is one superhero that has powerful enough enemies to defeat all the Avengers at once, that superhero is Doctor Strange. And, pretty much like Ant-Man and Guardians of the Galaxy, Doctor Strange is still an unknown character for most of the wider audience.

I mentioned that because, at this point, it’s important - he has the best chances to surprise everybody and become the leader of a new Avengers team. Of all of the newly introduced characters, he is still the most powerful.

The fact that Benedict Cumberbatch portrays him makes me believe even more that Doctor Strange will be pushed to the fore starting with Phase Four. Also, as a side note, Kevin Feige fought for quite a while to bring the character to the big screen. And this says something about the importance of Doctor Strange.

But…you know what? Infinity War is the final movie in Phase Three, so why wouldn't Phase Four begin on the same note?

Warlock and the Infinity Watch

I don't really know how this could happen, since Warlock hasn't been introduced in the MCU thus far. But there is still time - and what better way to begin a new Phase than by presenting the aftermath of the previous one? Civil War has proved that this is the best way to do it!

Warlock and the Infinity Watch will see Thanos already defeated, and the heroes of the universe having to deal with what remains after him - namely, the Infinity Stones. And, as Odin has already said in the MCU, they shouldn't be kept together.

So a team would have to be assembled (and these events always work out well for Marvel), with each member assigned to protect one Infinity Stone.

And the fact that the majority of the Infinity Watch are Guardians who’ve already been introduced in the MCU would only increase the movie’s chances for success. In a way, Warlock and the Infinity Watch would be copying the formula of the Civil War, serving as both a sequel of Guardians of the Galaxy, and a separate story.

But the Infinity Watch wasn't the only team to protect the Infinity Stones"¦

The Illuminati

There are several issues that need to be addressed for this movie to make it on the big screen. However, there is still time between now and 2019 (most likely in September or October), when Phase Four arrives.

The Illuminati have played an important part in Marvel comics, being basically a council made up of Earth's greatest superheroes (well, not all of them), that’s assigned to take on the biggest decisions that could protect the planet. One of them concerned the Infinity Stones, with each member assigned to protect one.

The best thing is that two of these characters already exist in the MCU (Black Panther and Doctor Strange). The bad news is that Black Bolt is another member - but this could actually turn out very well, since an Inhumans movie doesn't really need to happen for the ruler of the Inhumans to appear.

The worst thing is that Reed Richards is also on the team - and, as far as we all know, Fox isn't done screwing him over just yet.

But a deal could be brokered, and – according to rumor – this process was rumored to have begun after last year's Fant4stic. And, even if that doesn’t pan out, the Fox-owned characters could be replaced by MCU ones.

And you know what? If Illuminati does happen, it would open up an even more interesting possibility! What if this council is created by the time the Infinity War ends? And what if their biggest decision is to decide what the first movie of Phase Four should be?

World War Hulk

No, the Hulk isn't a successful MCU property of the MCU, but that’s when he stars in solo movies. Maybe that’s why he’s now being paired with Thor for Ragnarok, which will (allegedly) adapt (partly) the Planet Hulk storyline.

And do you know what the continuation of the storyline is? WORLD WAR HULK! The Jade Giant, after playing a role in the defeat of Thanos, could be sent away at the end of the Infinity War. Something will have to happen to enrage him (maybe Black Widow will die?) and he’ll blame the Avengers.

He’ll find a way to return and mayhem will ensue!! Just imagine all of the superheroes fighting a battle they know they can't win. And just imagine the Hulk actually getting stronger as he gets angrier. Am I the only one who wants to see this?

Civil War has already proved that a good conflict (spawned by ideological reasons and ending with emotional twists) between the heroes is bankable. World War Hulk could be the next movie to accomplish this! It's high time the Hulk proved to everybody which superhero is really the strongest of all.

And, since I’ve mentioned the Illuminati and the World War Hulk, the next character (who had a role in both of these storylines) is on the Civil War writers' wish list!

Namor the Sub-Mariner

Namor is now owned by Universal - but so were distribution rights for the Hulk. Furthermore, Universal has no plans to bring the aquatic superhero to life. So what if"¦

Black Panther will be an established character at the beginning of Phase Four. And one of his most interesting enemies (well, not exactly an enemy) is Namor the Sub-Mariner, who attacked Wakanda. This could be an interesting story to adapt, one that leads to the revelation of greater threats, and forces Namor to reconsider his position.

If the Avengers have the Earth’s surface; the Guardians explore the galaxy; Doctor Strange pops from one dimension to the next; and Ant-Man has the Microverse, maybe Marvel should consider expanding the universe to include the depths of the ocean.

If you saw Civil War, then you also got goosebumps when seeing the awesome and straight out of the comics Black Panther statue. Imagine an entire Atlantis just like that.

But how about a fresh start after the Infinity War?

Scarlet Witch Reboots the MCU

You've probably thought about this possibility, as well. Scarlet Witch is now among the strongest of the Avengers, since she’s managed to subdue even Vision. As the directors said, she hasn't even scratched the surface of her full potential - so what if"¦

In the comics, the House of M is established because Scarlet Witch loses someone close to her. In the MCU, she’s already lost her brother, while Vision will certainly perish when Thanos arrives (since he has an Infinity Stone the Mad Titan needs). In the comics, she is deemed as dangerous. The same thing has happened in the MCU, when Tony Stark confined her and placed her in Vision's care.

So the premise is already settled. All that needs to happen is for the Infinity War to unfold. And the first film after that should be about Scarlet Witch, who completely loses her mind and goes about undoing everything that we've seen accomplished so far (well, not everything; things have to be left open to ensure that sequels happen).

On the next page, what we all hoped would happen last year!

The Fantastic Four

A couple of years ago, you wouldn't have believed that Spider-Man would one day join the MCU. In my opinion, the same thing can be said about the Fantastic Four.

This rumor can be traced back to last year's Fant4stic, which proved to be a disappointment from all points of view. If, before its release, the studio was already planning a sequel, as well as a crossover with the X-Men, today all of that is water under the bridge. Fantastic Four? Fox has no idea what to do with it.

So maybe Marvel's first family will join the rest of the superheroes. And this is very important, because the rights to the characters will also bring some of the biggest baddies of the Marvel comics. And the MCU needs them for Phase Four, after the Mad Titan is defeated.

But how about a different approach? How about an unknown property (unknown to the larger audience) opening Phase Four?

The Runaways

Back when the first Phase was being mapped out, Feige had to choose between the Runaways and the Avengers. And since the bigger heroes belonged to the latter team, the choice was made. And it was a good choice, which will culminate with the Infinity War, probably the most anticipated event in the entire comic book movie history.

The MCU is now younger, it can be said, with the addition of Peter Parker. Might some other young heroes join the team, as well?

The Runaways has always been an interesting project in my book, since it can bring a new type of conflict, this time between generations. Opening Phase Four with such an interesting concept could prove to be a stroke of genius.

And since the Runaways keep popping in Feige’s recent discussions, who knows?

And there you have it! What do you think? Which one of these projects can be considered as a proper beginning for Phase Four?