The Marvel Cinematic Universe shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. In a recent interview with Comic Book, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige dropped some major news about the franchise's future that has fans buzzing – and not all of them are thrilled about what's coming.
According to Feige, Marvel has concrete plans for three more MCU phases beyond the current Multiverse Saga. "A saga's three phases, so we're working on the next three right now," Feige explained. "But really, the first one of the next saga is directly impacted by what we're doing right now with these movies and Secret Wars."
What Comes After Secret Wars
The current phase of the MCU will wrap up with Avengers: Secret Wars, scheduled to hit theaters on December 17, 2027. This massive crossover event is expected to serve as the culmination of the Multiverse Saga, much like how Avengers: Endgame concluded the Infinity Saga back in 2019.
Following Secret Wars, Marvel will launch into what many industry insiders believe will be called the Mutant Saga. This makes perfect sense given Disney's acquisition of Fox's film properties, which brought the X-Men and Fantastic Four back under Marvel's control. The upcoming X-Men reboot, directed by Jake Schreier (who's also helming Thunderbolts*), is expected to play a major role in establishing this new direction.
If Marvel sticks to their traditional structure, these three new MCU phases would likely span Phases 7 through 9, potentially keeping the franchise running for another full decade. That's a lot of superhero content, even by Marvel's ambitious standards.
Fan Reactions Are Mixed
The announcement has sparked intense discussion among Marvel fans, with reactions ranging from excitement to exhaustion. On the Marvel Studios subreddit, one fan wrote, "I'm starting to feel like Marvel is gonna end the MCU at Phase 9," suggesting this might be the natural conclusion point for the entire cinematic universe.
Other fans expressed concern about the current phase structure losing its meaning. "The phases had value to them when each one ended with an Avengers movie," one commenter noted. "You knew there was some finality to it, with it being marked by a big event and what not. But, now, with all these shows and movies, they've lost their meaning and worse, we've lost track."
This criticism highlights a common complaint about the current MCU phases – they don't feel as clearly defined as the earlier ones. The original three phases built toward specific climactic moments, while the current structure feels more scattered across multiple Disney+ series and theatrical releases.
The Phase System Under Question
Some fans argue that the MCU phases "don't mean anything anymore," which raises interesting questions about Marvel's future approach. After completing these planned three phases, the studio might abandon the phase system entirely in favor of more standalone adventures and direct sequels.
This wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing. The phase structure worked well when Marvel was building toward specific endpoints like the first Avengers movie or Infinity War. But as the universe expands and becomes more complex, a more flexible approach might serve both creators and audiences better.
What to Expect in the Coming Years
Before we get to those future MCU phases, there's still plenty of content coming in the current timeline. Spider-Man: Brand New Day is set to swing into theaters on July 31, 2026, continuing the web-slinger's story in the post-No Way Home era.
The shift toward mutant-focused storytelling represents a significant change for the MCU. While the Avengers and multiverse concepts have dominated recent phases, bringing the X-Men into the fold opens up entirely new narrative possibilities. The X-Men universe comes with decades of comic book storylines, complex character relationships, and social themes that could give the MCU fresh creative energy.
However, integrating mutants into the existing MCU presents unique challenges. How do you explain the sudden appearance of a entire population of powered individuals? How do you balance the X-Men's traditionally more grounded, prejudice-focused stories with the cosmic scope the MCU has embraced?
The Business Reality
From a business perspective, Marvel's long-term planning makes complete sense. The MCU has generated over $29 billion worldwide, making it the highest-grossing film franchise in history. Disney isn't going to abandon that kind of success anytime soon.
The three-phase structure also provides a clear roadmap for investors, theater chains, and streaming platforms. Everyone knows what to expect and can plan accordingly. For Marvel Studios, it means job security and creative continuity for cast and crew members.
Whether fans embrace or resist these extended MCU phases, one thing seems certain – Marvel's cinematic universe will continue shaping popular culture for years to come. The real question isn't whether more phases are coming, but whether Marvel can maintain the quality and excitement that made the franchise successful in the first place.
As we head toward Secret Wars and beyond, the MCU faces the challenge of keeping audiences engaged while telling increasingly complex, interconnected stories. The next few years will determine whether Marvel's ambitious phase planning pays off or if superhero fatigue finally catches up with even the most successful franchise in Hollywood.
