The Marvel Cinematic Universe is fast becoming the most profitable film franchise ever. Not only does it appear that they'll jump past big franchises like Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and James Bond, but they've already put themselves five or six steps ahead of DC Comics, who has yet to even breach the crossover medium in anything non animated.
With the coming releases of The Avengers: Age of Ultron and Ant Man, the second phase of the MCU will be complete. In case you don't know, the MCU is comprised so far of three confirmed phases of films. The first phase was where the Avengers were established and prepared for their big debut on screen:
Iron Man
The Incredible Hulk
Iron Man 2
Thor
Captain America: The First Avenger
The Avengers
The second phase followed the exploits and ultimate disintegration of both the agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Avengers themselves:
Iron Man 3
Thor: The Dark World
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Guardians of the Galaxy
The Avengers: Age of Ultron
Ant Man
The third phase seems to be loosely following the Civil War comic book storyline, in which Steve Rogers and Tony Stark lead sides in which to oppose one another in their beliefs in a law that would force anyone with superhuman powers or abilities to register themselves within the government. Rogers, who seems to have become disillusioned with the government after the events of The Winter Soldier, will lead the side that will fight against the law, while Stark (who may be motivated by his actions during the Ultron crisis) will fight for the side that wants them to sign up.
Alongside these storylines, there will also be the coming of Thanos and his ultimate assault on all of the free worlds and how the Avengers will ultimately have to rejoin together to defeat this unbeatable adversary. Thanos's actions will undoubtedly bring about the arrival on earth of the Guardians of the Galaxy and will also bring several new superheros to the big screen to fight, including Spider Man and several others (no Fantastic Four or X Men yet).
Here is what the MCU Phase III looks like right now:
Captain America: Civil War
Doctor Strange
Guardians of the Galaxy 2
Spider Man
Thor: Ragnarok
The Avengers: Infinity War part 1
Black Panther
Captain Marvel
The Avengers: Infinity War part 2
Inhumans
There are several things to discuss, considering Phase III does not start until next year. One thing I will address in this post is what I expect from the End Credit scenes following Age of Ultron. Now, this is PURELY SPECULATION. I have no inside knowledge regarding the film and if I do happen to be right, it is purely circumstantial.
The End Credits scenes (there should and likely will be at least two) are going to have to set up the next several films. Because I think the finale to Age of Ultron will likely set up Civil War, I think the end credits scenes are going to likely involve setting up either future events in the Avengers saga, or set up future movies. Here are some of the things that could and should be considered as potential end credits scenes following the newest addition to the MCU:
1. Hulk gets shot into space: Considering all we have to go on is speculation, when you see the Hulk Buster suit that Iron Man takes on during the trailers and TV spots for Age of Ultron, we know that Iron Man and the Hulk will ultimately have a battle in some kind of city. All we can assume is that either Bruce Banner loses control of the Hulk during the film or that Ultron triggers it. Considering the Hulk is both the most powerful and unstable member, it would likely stand that such a power not under someone's control could force the hand of Nick Fury and Tony Stark.
2. Spider Man, or his world, is teased: Considering that The Amazing Spider Man franchise died with that abysmal sequel, and now that Disney and Sony are playing nice, it stands to reason that Disney will take full advantage of having the web swinging hero as part of the MCU. One story I like which was teased by a couple of fans on YouTube is that you have J.K. Simmons reprise his role as J Jonah Jameson and either try to spin the Avengers victory over Ultron as them causing more damage or just trying to get a good picture of them and calling in Peter Parker. I would buy this, but I don't think that Marvel has had the time to film something like that yet...
3. Thor discovers the truth about Asgard and the Nine Realms: Upon choosing to leave his chance at the throne in Asgard for Jane Foster, Thor is likely on Earth during several of the events of Phase II. But what he cannot possibly know is that not only did Loki survive their battle with the Dark Elves, but he also took Odin's place as King of Asgard and is ultimately going to throw everything he can at Thor, ultimately setting up why Thor will not take part in Civil War, and also why he will be perhaps removed altogether when Thor: Ragnarok comes to the big screen in 2017.
Another thing, the Ragnarok story line in the comics spells about the complete and utter annihilation of Asgard and many of the Nine Realms, which are ultimately reborn with new characters taking over. This could not only explain why Captain America is able to make Mjonir budge, but also how powerful Thanos can really be (I personally think that Thanos will be the cause of Asgard's destruction and perhaps the death or at least the disappearance of Thor).
4. A second tease of Thanos: More likely than the ones mentioned above, one scene could be that Thanos has seen that the Avengers are weak and disbanding and may see it as a good opportunity to unleash hell on the Earth. Not something I would like to see, but I am guessing this will be the most likely.
That's All for now, please stay tuned for a look at the post-Age of Ultron MCU...
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