The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a shared fictional universe that is the setting of superhero films independently developed by Marvel Studios, based on characters published in Marvel Comics. The setting is much like the Marvel Universe in comic books. The universe was established by crossing over shared plot elements, settings, cast, and characters.
In 2005, Variety reported that Marvel Studios would start producing its own films and distribute them through Paramount Pictures. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige in 2009 initially referred to the shared narrative continuity of these films as the "Marvel Cinema Universe", but later used the term "Marvel Cinematic Universe".
Marvel One Shots are a series of direct-to-video short films released by Marvel Studios, set within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The first, titled The Consultant, was released on the Thor Blu-ray on September 13, 2011. A second, titled A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Thor’s Hammer, was released on the Captain America: The First Avenger Blu-ray on October 25, 2011. Both films star Clark Gregg as Phil Coulson, and offer up self-contained stories about a day in the life of a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent.
Iron Man 3: Shane Black is set to direct a screenplay by himself and Drew Pearce, which will be based on the "Extremis" story arc by Warren Ellis. Robert Downey, Jr. reprises his role as Tony Stark, with Gwyneth Paltrow and Don Cheadle reprising their roles as Pepper Potts and James Rhodes respectively. Iron Man 3 is scheduled to be released on May 3, 2013.
Thor 2: Alan Taylor is set direct a screenplay by Don Payne and Robert Rodat with Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston and Idris Elba reprising their roles from the first film. Thor 2 is scheduled to be released on November 15, 2013.
Captain America 2: Screenwriters Stephen McFeely and Christopher Markus said in April 2011 that they have been writing a sequel for Marvel Studios. In a June 2011 interview, they said, "The story will likely be in the present day. We're experimenting with flashback elements for more period World War II stuff. I can't say much more than that but we made it baggy enough to refer to more stories in the past". In September 2011, Chris Evans said that a sequel may not be released until 2014. In January 2012, Neal McDonough mentioned that a sequel would likely be filmed after the completion of Thor 2, which would likely be before the end of 2012.
In March 2012, it was reported that Marvel has whittled down a field of ten directors to three potential candidates; George Nolfi (The Adjustment Bureau), F. Gary Gray (The Italian Job) and brothers Anthony and Joseph Russo (Community) to helm the sequel. In April 2012, Walt Disney Studios announced that it will release the sequel to Captain America: The First Avenger on April 4, 2014. Disney stated, "The second installment will pick-up where … The Avengers leaves off, as Steve Rogers continues his affiliation with Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D. and struggles to embrace his role in the modern world."
Ant-Man: Edgar Wright plans to direct a live-action Ant-Man film. The script has been written by Wright and Joe Cornish, who plan to include Henry Pym and Scott Lang as major characters, with Pym as Ant-Man in the 1960s in Tales to Astonish style, and a flashforward to Lang as Ant-Man's successor in the 1980s/1990s.
Punisher: In July 2010, at the San Diego Comic-Con International, company head Kevin Feige revealed that another Punisher reboot is in the works. Feige said that the rights to the character have reverted back to Marvel Studios, and they want to take their own shot at it. He also said that he is aiming for a "Frank Castle" movie rather than a Punisher film.
Black Panther: In January 2011, Marvel Studios hired documentary filmmaker Mark Bailey to write a script for a Black Panther film with Marvel's Kevin Feige producing.
Inhumans: A trade report in March 2011 said Marvel Entertainment is developing an Inhumans film and described it as "in the vein of 'X-Men' about aliens who were put on Earth as a sleeper cell to eventually call back their race to take over the planet."
Since begining of producion on The Avengers there's also been talks for Hawkeye and Black Widow to get their own films. As well as a S.H.I.E.L.D. based film starring Nick Fury.
Alias TV Series: In December 2010, it was reported that Twilight screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg is developing a series for ABC titled, AKA Jessica Jones based on the comic book series, Alias created by Brian Michael Bendis. In November 2011, Rosenberg stated that the TV show would center on Jessica Jones and would have principal parts for Luke Cage and Carol Danvers. She also confirmed that the TV series would absolutely take place in the larger "cinematic" Marvel Universe and Tony Stark and Stark Industries are in the current pilot script but admitted, "As we go along things will alter in terms of what is made available to us, but we're definitely in that universe. We are in no way denying that that universe exists. And as much as I can I'm going to pull everything in from there that I can use"
Besides these there's been small talk (even leading to some writers hired) to begin production on movies based around other heroes, including:
- Cable
- Iron Fist
- Nighthawk
- Vision
- Dr. Strange
- Ka-Zar
- Luke Cage
- Dazzler
- Power Pack
- War Machine
... aaand that's pretty much it for now.
