Kevin Feige discusses Marvel’s Phase Two, Phase Three, Thanos, and Planet Hulk

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

Now that we know the road map for Phase Two of the Marvel cinematic universe is falling into place, executive Kevin Feige is letting loose some news about where Phase Three may take us.

On whether Thanos was a throwaway at the end of THE AVENGERS: “There’s a great track record now about lobbing something in at the last moment to get the audience buzzing. Particularly when it came to Thanos, [we knew] that most people in that audience had no idea who that purple guy was — but they could clearly tell he was important, and knew if they asked the two or three people sitting next to them, somebody would know who he was.”

Thanos’ role in the future of the Marvel films: “Clearly, there’s a purpose to us putting him in the end of that movie. We do have plans for him. I wouldn’t say we ever feel the need to rush anything one way or the other. We succeeded in Phase One because we stuck to our guns and stuck to the plan. That plan took place over many, many years and it ultimately paid off. I see Phase Two unfolding in the same way of us taking our time, us doing what’s right for each individual movie, while folding in elements that will not only build up to the culmination of Phase Two, but even Phase Three.”

What direction would they take a Hulk movie: “I don’t think there’s a lot that we couldn’t do someday, as the cinematic universe continues to grow and expand and get as big as the comic book universe. ‘Planet Hulk’ is a cool story. ‘World War Hulk’ is a cool story.”

When we can expect a Hulk solo adventure: “Do I think Hulk can carry a movie and be as entertaining as he was in THE AVENGERS? I do believe that. I do believe he absolutely could. We certainly are not even going to attempt that until THE AVENGERS 2. So there’s a lot of time to think about it.”

The hazards of making too many Marvel movies too fast: “I think there’s pitfalls of continuity-overload, and mythology getting so dense that it almost collapses in on itself. It happens every few decades or so in the comics. Apart from that, I’d say everything is on the table.”

Whether you are fans of Marvel or not, you cannot deny that they know how to plan ahead. They also know that keeping news from the fans is not the right way to handle it. Since THE AVENGERS was originally announced, we have been given tons of sneak peeks and heads up as to where they were headed. I am definitely liking the planned approach they are taking with these phases.

Phase Two begins on May 3rd, 2013 with IRON MAN 3 and concludes with THE AVENGERS 2 on May 1st, 2015.