Marvel Cinematic Universe

*"You think you're the only superhero in the world? Mr. Stark, you've become part of a bigger universe. You just don't know it yet."*
―Nick Fury to Tony Stark[src]
The **Marvel Cinematic Universe** is a media franchise created by Marvel Studios, set primarily in a shared universe designated as the reality **Earth-199999** within Marvel's multiverse system, with some installments also set in adjacent or branching realities.

Starting with *Iron Man*, the franchise is comprised mainly of films independently made by Marvel Studios, that are primarily set within this same universe, much like Marvel has done with their comics.

The franchise includes a series of short films, called *Marvel One-Shots*, launched with several films' Blu-ray releases starting with *Thor* and finishing with *Thor: Ragnarok*.

Starting with *Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.*, the franchise expanded into television series, including series premiered on the ABC and Freeform channels, and on the Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ streaming platforms. The franchise also includes the news program *WHiH Newsfront* and the digital series *Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Slingshot*.

Other contents include a series of tie-in Comics and video games, released as promotional material to the films and series and therefore part of the franchise, even if some of them are set on these branching realities.

## Movies

### Infinity Saga

#### Phase One

1. *Iron Man* (2008)
2. *The Incredible Hulk* (2008)
3. *Iron Man 2* (2010)
4. *Thor* (2011)
5. *Captain America: The First Avenger* (2011)
6. *The Avengers* (2012)

#### Phase Two

7. *Iron Man 3* (2013)
8. *Thor: The Dark World* (2013)
9. *Captain America: The Winter Soldier* (2014)
10. *Guardians of the Galaxy* (2014)
11. *Avengers: Age of Ultron* (2015)
12. *Ant-Man* (2015)

#### Phase Three

13. *Captain America: Civil War* (2016)
14. *Doctor Strange* (2016)
15. *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2* (2017)
16. *Spider-Man: Homecoming* (2017)
17. *Thor: Ragnarok* (2017)
18. *Black Panther* (2018)
19. *Avengers: Infinity War* (2018)
20. *Ant-Man and the Wasp* (2018)
21. *Captain Marvel* (2019)
22. *Avengers: Endgame* (2019)
23. *Spider-Man: Far From Home* (2019)

### Post-Infinity Saga

#### Phase Four

24. *Black Widow* (2021)
25. *Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings* (2021)
26. *Eternals* (2021)
27. *Spider-Man: No Way Home* (2021)
28. *Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness* (2022) (unreleased/post-production)
29. *Thor: Love and Thunder* (2022) (unreleased/post-production)
30. *Black Panther: Wakanda Forever* (2022) (unreleased/post-production)
31. *The Marvels* (2023) (unreleased/post-production)
32. *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3* (2023) (unreleased/filming)
33. *Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania* (2023) (unreleased/post-production)
34. *Fantastic Four* (TBA) (unreleased/development)
35. *Blade* (TBA) (unreleased/development)

#### Undetermined Phase

* *Deadpool 3* (TBA) (unreleased/development)
* *Captain America 4* (TBA) (unreleased/development)
* *Spider-Man 4* (TBA) (unreleased/development)
* *Shang-Chi 2* (TBA) (unreleased/development)

## Short Films

### Marvel One-Shots

#### Phase One

* *The Consultant* (2011)
* *A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Thor's Hammer* (2011)
* *Item 47* (2012)

#### Phase Two

* *Agent Carter* (2013)
* *All Hail the King* (2014)

#### Phase Three

* *Team Thor: Part 1* (2016)
* *Team Thor: Part 2* (2017)
* *Team Darryl* (2018)

## TV Series

### Marvel Television Series

#### Marvel Heroes Series

* *Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.*
	+ *Season One* (2013-2014)
	+ *Season Two* (2014-2015)
	+ *Season Three* (2015-2016)
	+ *Season Four* (2016-2017)
	+ *Season Five* (2017-2018)
	+ *Season Six* (2019)
	+ *Season Seven* (2020)
* *Agent Carter*
	+ *Season One* (2015)
	+ *Season Two* (2016)
* *Inhumans*
	+ *Season One* (2017)

#### The Defenders Saga Series

* *Daredevil*
	+ *Season One* (2015)
	+ *Season Two* (2016)
	+ *Season Three* (2018)
* *Jessica Jones*
	+ *Season One* (2015)
	+ *Season Two* (2018)
	+ *Season Three* (2019)
* *Luke Cage*
	+ *Season One* (2016)
	+ *Season Two* (2018)
* *Iron Fist*
	+ *Season One* (2017)
	+ *Season Two* (2018)
* *The Defenders*
	+ *Season One* (2017)
* *The Punisher*
	+ *Season One* (2017)
	+ *Season Two* (2019)

#### Young Adult Series

* *Runaways*
	+ *Season One* (2017-2018)
	+ *Season Two* (2018)
	+ *Season Three* (2019)
* *Cloak & Dagger*
	+ *Season One* (2018)
	+ *Season Two* (2019)

#### Adventure into Fear Series

* *Helstrom*
	+ *Season One* (2020)

### Marvel Studios Series

#### Phase Four Series

* *WandaVision*
	+ *Season One* (2021)
* *The Falcon and The Winter Soldier*
	+ *Season One* (2021)
* *Loki*
	+ *Season One* (2021)
	+ *Season Two* (TBA)
* *What If...?*
	+ *Season One* (2021)
	+ *Season Two* (2022)
* *Hawkeye*
	+ *Season One* (2021)
* *Moon Knight*
	+ *Season One* (2022)
* *Ms. Marvel*
	+ *Season One* (2022)
* *She-Hulk*
	+ *Season One* (2022)
* *I Am Groot*
	+ *Season One* (2022)
* *Secret Invasion*
	+ *Season One* (TBA)
* *Ironheart*
	+ *Season One* (TBA)
* *Armor Wars*
	+ *Season One* (TBA)

##### Undetermined Phase

* *Echo*
	+ *Season One* (TBA)
* *Agatha: House of Harkness*
	+ *Season One* (TBA)
* *Spider-Man: Freshman Year*
	+ *Season One* (TBA)
* *Marvel Zombies*
	+ *Season One* (TBA)
* Untitled Wakanda TV Series (TBA)
* Untitled Destin Daniel Cretton's TV Series (TBA)

### Cancelled Series

* *Most Wanted*
* *Damage Control*
* *New Warriors*
* *Ghost Rider*

## TV Specials

* *The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special* (2022) (unreleased/filming)
* Untitled Marvel Studios Halloween Special (2022) (unreleased/filming)

## Web Series

* *WHiH Newsfront*
	+ *Season One* (2015)
	+ *Season Two* (2016)
* *Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Slingshot*
	+ *Season One* (2016)

### Promotional Campaign Series

* *Stark Expo 2010* (2010)
* *Rising Tide* (2013)
* *TheDailyBugle.net* (2019-2022)

### Behind-the-Scenes Features

* *Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Declassified* (2013-2014)
* *Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Double Agent* (2015)
* *Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Academy* (2016)

## Documentaries

* *Marvel Studios: Assembling a Universe* (2014)
* *Marvel Studios: Expanding the Universe* (2019)

### Docuseries

* *Marvel Studios: Legends*
	+ *Season One* (2021)
* *Marvel Studios: Assembled*
	+ *Season One* (2021-ongoing)
* *Super Women of the MCU* (TBA)

## Comics

* *Iron Man: Fast Friends* (2008)
* *Iron Man: Security Measures* (2008)
* *Iron Man: The Price of Doing Business* (2008)
* *The Incredible Hulk: The Fury Files* (2008)
* *The Incredible Hulk: The Big Picture* (2008)
* *Nick Fury: Spies Like Us* (2009)
* *Iron Man: I Am Iron Man!* (2010)
* *Iron Man 2: Security Breach* (2010)
* *Iron Man: Will Online Evils Prevail?* (2010)
* *Iron Man 2: Nick Fury: Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.* (2010)
* *Iron Man 2: Public Identity* (2010)
* *Iron Man 2: Phil Coulson: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.* (2010)
* *Iron Man: Limited Edition* (2010) (no official title)
* *Iron Man 2: Black Widow: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.* (2010)
* *Iron Man Royal Purple Custom Comic* (2010)
* *Iron Man 2: Fist of Iron* (2010)
* *Captain America: First Vengeance* (2011)
* *Captain America & Thor: Avengers!* (2011)
* *Thor, The Mighty Avenger* (2011)
* *Thor: Rescue* (2011)
* *Captain America: Evil Lurks Everywhere* (2011)
* *The Avengers Prelude: Fury's Big Week* (2012)
* *The Avengers: Iron Man Mark VII* (2012)
* *The Avengers Prelude: Black Widow Strikes* (2012)
* *The Avengers: The Avengers Initiative* (2012)
* *Iron Man 2 Adaptation* (2012)
* *Iron Man 3 Prelude* (2013)
* *Iron Man: The Coming of the Melter* (2013)
* *Thor Adaptation* (2013)
* *Thor: The Dark World Prelude* (2013)
* *Thor: Crown of Fools* (2013)
* *Captain America: The First Avenger Adaptation* (2013)
* *Captain America: The Winter Soldier Infinite Comic* (2014)
* *Captain America: Homecoming* (2014)
* *Guardians of the Galaxy Prequel Infinite Comic* (2014)
* *Guardians of the Galaxy Prelude* (2014)
* *Guardians of the Galaxy: Galaxy's Most Wanted* (2014)
* *Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: The Chase* (2014)
* *The Avengers Adaptation* (2014)
* *Avengers: Age of Ultron Prelude - This Scepter'd Isle* (2015)
* *Avengers: Age of Ultron: Episode 0* (2015)
* *Ant-Man Prelude* (2015)
* *Ant-Man - Scott Lang: Small Time* (2015)
* *Avengers: Operation HYDRA* (2015)
* *Ant-Man: Larger Than Life* (2015)
* *Jessica Jones* (2015)
* *Captain America: Civil War Prelude* (2015)
* *Captain America: Civil War Prelude Infinite Comic* (2016)
* *Captain America: Road to War* (2016)
* *Doctor Strange Prelude* (2016)
* *Doctor Strange Prelude - The Zealot* (2016)
* *Doctor Strange: Mystic Apprentice* (2016)
* *Doctor Strange: Episode 0* (2016)
* *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Prelude* (2017)
* *Spider-Man: Homecoming Prelude* (2017)
* *Spider-Man: Homecoming: Fight or Flight* (2017)
* *Spider-Man: Homecoming: Morning Rush* (2017)
* *Spider-Man: Homecoming: School of Shock* (2017)
* *Thor: Ragnarok Prelude* (2017)
* *Black Panther Prelude* (2017)
* *Avengers: Infinity War Prelude* (2018)
* *Ant-Man and the Wasp Prelude* (2018)
* *Captain Marvel Prelude* (2018)
* *Avengers: Endgame Prelude* (2018)
* *Spider-Man: Far From Home Prelude* (2019)
* *Spider-Man: Far From Home - Got To Hand it To Him* (2019)
* *Spider-Man: Far From Home - Them's The Brakes* (2019)
* *Black Widow Prelude* (2020)
* *Eternals: The 500 Year War* (2022)

## Video Games

* *Iron Man* (2008)
* *The Incredible Hulk* (2008)
* *Iron Man 2* (2010)
* *Thor: God of Thunder* (2011)
* *Captain America: Super Soldier* (2011)
* *Iron Man 3 - The Official Game* (2013)
* *Thor: The Dark World - The Official Game* (2013)
* *Captain America: The Winter Soldier - The Official Game* (2014)
* *Spider-Man: Homecoming - Virtual Reality Experience* (2017)
* *Spider-Man: Far From Home - Virtual Reality Experience* (2019)
* *Avengers: Damage Control* (2019)
* *Eternals: AR Story Experience* (2021)

## Artbooks

* *The Art of Iron Man* (2008)
* *The Art of Iron Man 2* (2010)
* *The Art of Thor* (2011)
* *The Art of Captain America: The First Avenger* (2011)
* *The Art of The Avengers* (2012)
* *The Art of Iron Man 3* (2013)
* *Iron Man Manual* (2013)
* *The Art of Thor: The Dark World* (2013)
* *The Art of Captain America: The Winter Soldier* (2014)
* *The Art of Guardians of the Galaxy* (2014)
* *Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Season One Declassified* (2014)
* *The Art of Avengers: Age of Ultron* (2015)
* *The Road to Avengers: Age of Ultron - The Art of the Marvel Cinematic Universe* (2015)
* *Agent Carter: Season One Declassified* (2015)
* *The Art of Ant-Man* (2015)
* *Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Season Two Declassified* (2015)
* *The Art of Captain America: Civil War* (2016)
* *Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Season Three Declassified* (2016)
* *Agent Carter: Season Two Declassified* (2016)
* *The Art of Doctor Strange* (2016)
* *The Art of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2* (2017)
* *Marvel: Creating the Cinematic Universe* (2017)
* *The Art of Spider-Man: Homecoming* (2017)
* *Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Season Four Declassified* (2017)
* *The Art of Thor: Ragnarok* (2017)
* *The Art of Black Panther* (2018)
* *The Road to Avengers: Infinity War - The Art of the Marvel Cinematic Universe Vol. 2* (2018)
* *The Art of Avengers: Infinity War* (2018)
* *The Art of Iron Man: 10th Anniversary Edition* (2018)
* *The Art of Ant-Man and the Wasp* (2018)
* *The Art of Captain Marvel* (2019)
* *The Road to Avengers: Endgame - The Art of the Marvel Cinematic Universe Vol. 3* (2019)
* *The Art of Spider-Man: Far From Home* (2019)
* *The Art of Avengers: Endgame* (2019)
* *WandaVision: The Art of the Series* (2022)
* *The Falcon & The Winter Soldier: The Art of the Series* (2022)
* *Loki: The Art of the Series* (2022)
* *The Art of Black Widow* (2022)

## Guidebooks

* *Guidebook to the Marvel Cinematic Universe - Iron Man* (2015)
* *Guidebook to the Marvel Cinematic Universe - The Incredible Hulk* (2015)
* *Guidebook to the Marvel Cinematic Universe - Iron Man 2* (2015)
* *Guidebook to the Marvel Cinematic Universe - Thor* (2015)
* *Guidebook to the Marvel Cinematic Universe - Captain America: The First Avenger* (2016)
* *Guidebook to the Marvel Cinematic Universe - The Avengers* (2016)
* *Guidebook to the Marvel Cinematic Universe - Iron Man 3* (2016)
* *Guidebook to the Marvel Cinematic Universe - Thor: The Dark World* (2016)
* *Guidebook to the Marvel Cinematic Universe - Captain America: The Winter Soldier* (2016)
* *Guidebook to the Marvel Cinematic Universe - Ant-Man* (2016)
* *Guidebook to the Marvel Cinematic Universe - Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season One* (2016)
* *Guidebook to the Marvel Cinematic Universe - Guardians of the Galaxy* (2016)
* *Guidebook to the Marvel Cinematic Universe - Avengers: Age of Ultron* (2016)
* *Guidebook to the Marvel Cinematic Universe - Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season Two* (2016)
* *Guidebook to the Marvel Cinematic Universe - Marvel's Agent Carter Season One*
* *Guidebook to the Marvel Cinematic Universe - Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season Three* (2016)
* *Guidebook to the Marvel Cinematic Universe - Marvel's Agent Carter Season Two* (2016)
* *Guidebook to the Marvel Cinematic Universe - Captain America: Civil War* (2017)
* *Guidebook to the Marvel Cinematic Universe - Doctor Strange* (2017)
* *Guidebook to the Marvel Cinematic Universe - Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2* (2017)
* *Guidebook to the Marvel Cinematic Universe - Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season Four* (2018)

## Inspired Content

* *Iron Man: Teen Novelization* (2008)
* *Iron Man: The Junior Novel* (2008)
* *Iron Man: A New Hero* (2008)
* *Iron Man: I Am Iron Man!* (2008)
* *Iron Man* (2008)
* *The Incredible Hulk Movie Novelization* (2008)
* *The Incredible Hulk: A Hero Called The Hulk* (2008)
* *The Incredible Hulk: Larger Than Life!* (2008)
* *The Incredible Hulk: Movie Sticker Book* (2008)
* *Iron Man 2* (2010)
* *Iron Man 2: The Official Movie Storybook* (2010)
* *Iron Man 2: The Junior Novel* (2010)
* *Iron Man 2: Iron Man's Friends and Foes* (2010)
* *Iron Man 2: Meet the Black Widow* (2010)
* *Iron Man 2: Iron Man vs. Whiplash* (2010)
* *Iron Man 2: Iron Man Fights Back* (2010)
* *Iron Man 2: The Reusable Sticker Book* (2010)
* *Thor (junior novelization)* (2011)
* *Thor: Movie Storybook* (2011)
* *Thor: Heroes & Villains* (2011)
* *Thor: From Asgard to Earth* (2011)
* *Thor: Attack on Asgard* (2011)
* *Thor: Thor's Revenge* (2011)
* *Captain America: The First Avenger (junior novelization)* (2011)
* *Captain America: The First Avenger: Movie Storybook* (2011)
* *Captain America: The First Avenger: America's Secret Weapon* (2011)
* *Captain America: The First Avenger: The Hydra Files* (2011)
* *Captain America: The First Avenger: Operation: Super-Soldier* (2011)
* *Captain America: The First Avenger: The Great Escape* (2011)
* *The Avengers: The Avengers Assemble* (2012)
* *The Avengers: Movie Storybook* (2012)
* *The Avengers: Battle Against Loki* (2012)
* *The Avengers: The S.H.I.E.L.D. Files* (2012)
* *The Avengers: Reusable Sticker Book* (2012)
* *Iron Man 3: Suits of Armor* (2013)
* *Thor: The Dark World (junior novelization)* (2013)
* *Captain America: The Winter Soldier: Falcon Takes Flight* (2014)
* *Captain America: The Winter Soldier: Rescue at Sea* (2014)
* *Guardians of the Galaxy: The Junior Novel* (2014)
* *Guardians of the Galaxy: Battle of Knowhere* (2014)
* *Guardians of the Galaxy: Friends and Foes* (2014)
* *Guardians of the Galaxy: Rocket and Groot Fight Back* (2014)
* *Avengers: Age of Ultron: The Junior Novel* (2015)
* *Avengers: Age of Ultron: Avengers Save the Day* (2015)
* *Avengers: Age of Ultron: Battle at Avengers Tower* (2015)
* *Avengers: Age of Ultron: Friends and Foes* (2015)
* *Avengers: Age of Ultron: Hulk to the Rescue* (2015)
* *Ant-Man: I Am Ant-Man* (2015)
* *Ant-Man: The Amazing Adventures of Ant-Man* (2015)
* *Ant-Man: The Incredible Shrinking Suit* (2015)
* *Captain America: Civil War: The Junior Novel* (2016)
* *Captain America: Civil War: Avengers Declassified* (2016)
* *Captain America: Civil War: Captain America Versus Iron Man* (2016)
* *Captain America: Civil War: Choose A Side! Sticker Book* (2016)
* *Captain America: Civil War: Escape From Black Panther* (2016)
* *Captain America: Civil War: The Rise of Crossbones* (2016)
* *Captain America: Civil War: We Are The Avengers* (2016)
* *Doctor Strange: The Junior Novel* (2016)
* *Doctor Strange: I Am Doctor Strange* (2016)
* *Doctor Strange: Strange Stickers* (2016)
* *Doctor Strange: Strange Tales and Talismans* (2016)
* *Doctor Strange: The Path to Enlightenment* (2016)
* *Doctor Strange: The Sorcerer Supreme* (2016)
* *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2: The Junior Novel* (2017)
* *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2: Guardians Save the Day* (2017)
* *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2: Meet the Team!* (2017)
* *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2: Revenge of the Ravagers* (2017)
* *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2: The Best Sticker Book in the Galaxy* (2017)
* *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2: The Return of Rocket and Groot* (2017)
* *Spider-Man: Homecoming: The Junior Novel* (2017)
* *Spider-Man: Homecoming: Mayhem at the Monument* (2017)
* *Spider-Man: Homecoming: Meet Spidey* (2017)
* *Spider-Man: Homecoming: The Stick-Like-Spidey Sticker Book* (2017)
* *Spider-Man: Homecoming: The Tangled Web of Super Tech* (2017)
* *Thor: Ragnarok: Get in the Ring!* (2017)
* *Thor: Ragnarok: Into the Fire* (2017)
* *Thor: Ragnarok: The Junior Novel* (2017)
* *Thor: Ragnarok: Thor vs. Hulk* (2017)
* *Black Panther: Meet Black Panther* (2018)
* *Black Panther: On the Prowl!* (2018)
* *Black Panther: The Junior Novel* (2018)
* *Black Panther: The Official Movie Special* (2018)
* *Avengers: Infinity War: The Heroes' Journey* (2018)
* *The Cosmic Quest Volume One: Beginning* (2018)
* *Ant-Man and the Wasp: Escape from School* (2018)
* *Ant-Man and the Wasp: The Heroes' Journey* (2018)
* *Ant-Man and The Wasp The Official Movie Special* (2018)
* *Thanos: Titan Consumed* (2018)
* *The Cosmic Quest Volume Two: Aftermath* (2018)

## Trivia

* So far, the released movies of the Marvel Cinematic Universe have grossed $25,558,934,261 worldwide. It is the first major film franchise to cross the $9, $10, $11, $12, $13, $14, $15, $16, $17, $18, $19, $20, $21, $22, $23, $24 and $25 billion marks. It has also become the first franchise to cross the $3, $4, $5, $6, $7, $8 and $9 billion marks domestically in North America and is the highest-grossing franchise of all time.
* With *Avengers: Infinity War* and *Avengers: Endgame*, the Marvel Cinematic Universe is the first and currently only film franchise where more than one film grossed $2 billion worldwide.
* Due to financial difficulties Marvel faced in the past, they had to sell the film rights to several of their characters. Some of these sales are still in effect today, and thus the characters cannot be used in the MCU. Interestingly, an alternate version of the post-credits scene of *Iron Man* featured Nick Fury mentioning that there are "gamma accidents", "radioactive bug bites" and "assorted mutants" in the "bigger universe" Tony Stark has become part of. This version ultimately went unused from the finished film likely because both the film rights of Spider-Man and the X-Men were owned by Sony Pictures Studios (which still owns them) and 20th Century Fox at that time respectively.
	+ Due to 20th Century Fox owning the rights to the *X-Men* and *Fantastic Four* franchises, the *X-Men* films and its television series (*Legion* and *The Gifted*) and the *Fantastic Four* films all took place in different universes separate from the MCU.
		- Before the Marvel Cinematic Universe started with *Iron Man*, Fox considered using the character of Nick Fury in *Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer*, the second installment of their *Fantastic Four* original duology. However, as they would have been forced to purchase his rights, Fox desisted from using Fury and General Harper was created in his place.
		- Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch fell under both companies rights, as in the comics they are mutants by origin but are heavily associated with the Avengers. However, both companies had certain limitations:
			* Fox couldn't make any reference to the Twins' involvement with the Avengers.
			* Marvel couldn't make any reference to the Twins being mutants, the children of Magneto, or their association with the X-Men.
		- Similar to Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch, the Skrulls' film rights have been confirmed by *Guardians of the Galaxy* director James Gunn to fall under Marvel Studios and 20th Century Fox as they are associated with the Fantastic Four, but are an important part of the Marvel Universe and play prominent roles in the Kree-Skrull War and Secret Invasion events. As such, the Skrull race can be used in the MCU, while some specific Skrulls couldn't be used due to of Fox's sole ownership over them (such as Kl'rt the Super-Skrull).
			* However in 2017, Marvel has announced that the Skrulls will be the main antagonists of *Captain Marvel*, although since the film was released it was false and the Kree were main antagonists of the film.
		- While writing *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2*, James Gunn was unaware that the film rights of Ego the Living Planet belonged to Fox. With no back up plan, Gunn and Marvel Studios made a deal with Fox, who gave them back the film rights of Ego in exchange of those of Negasonic Teenage Warhead, whom they wanted to use on *Deadpool*.
		- On a related note towards *Deadpool*, the character of Bob, Agent of Hydra was featured in the film, but his connection to HYDRA wasn't mentioned and he was simply referred as "Bob", because the rights of HYDRA were already held by Marvel Studios when the film was released.
		- Although they debuted in a Fantastic Four comic, the Watchers appeared in *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2*, implying that both Marvel and Fox share the film rights to those characters.
		- *X-Men* producer Lauren Shuler Donner has expressed interest in having the X-Men join the MCU. Kevin Feige admitted that whenever he talks about it, it would result in "15 headlines" and that there hasn't been any movement on a deal and it was the "same thing, same status". Feige has said "Yeah, of course" when asked if he wanted to see the X-Men and Fantastic Four in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
		- On December 14, 2017, Disney announced plans to acquire the film and television divisions of 20th Century Fox, which includes the rights to the X-Men, Fantastic Four, and Deadpool. Which means that Marvel Studios will be able to use those characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe following the deal.
		- On March 20, 2019, Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox was completed. Which means that the rights to the X-Men, Fantastic Four, and Deadpool have reverted back to Marvel Studios, and these characters can now be used in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
	+ Similarly, Spider-Man's film rights are owned by Sony Pictures Studios, and both the Sam Raimi series and *The Amazing Spider-Man* series were set separate from the MCU; although after the last movie in the latter franchise, a deal was made between the two companies, resulting in another reboot of the series, this time set in the MCU.
		- The initial indication of an element of cooperation between Sony and Disney was when Sony gave permission for Disney to use the Oscorp Tower from *The Amazing Spider-Man* in a background cameo in *The Avengers*, however, due to budget and time constraints, aside the fact that New York City's skyline was already finished, the idea was abandoned.
			* On February 10, 2015, it was announced that Sony and Disney had struck a deal for setting Spider-Man in the MCU. The character, portrayed by Tom Holland, made his first appearance in the MCU in *Captain America: Civil War* followed by the second reboot of the franchise, a solo film entitled *Spider-Man: Homecoming*, which was released on July 7, 2017. Additionally, it was announced that Sony had full creative control over the character and the franchise whilst setting it in the MCU, allowing characters from other MCU properties to appear in it and vice-versa. Additionally, the planned spin-offs to the franchise by Sony are also reportedly in development, but have since abandoned after the cancellation of *The Amazing Spider-Man 3*.
			* Sony movies such as *Venom*, and *Morbius* are being developed separately from Marvel Studios and take place in Sony's Spider-Man Universe, though Amy Pascal said that although you won't see those characters appear in the MCU, these films take place "in the same reality."
				+ Michael Keaton is set to appear in *Morbius* as a version of Adrian Toomes/Vulture, though his character's exact relation to the MCU is unclear.
				+ In the mid-credits scene of the *Venom* sequel, *Venom: Let There Be Carnage*, J. Jonah Jameson and Spider-Man appear on television after Venom and Eddie Brock seemingly shift into another universe, officially connecting the *Venom* series to the MCU. Venom and Eddie subsequently appear in and are sent back to their home universe in the mid-credits scene of *Spider-Man: No Way Home*.
			* Similar to the Watchers, Kingpin was featured in the Sony Pictures Animation production *Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse*, implying that Marvel and Sony share the rights for Kingpin.
		- On August 20, 2019, however, it was reported that due Disney's inability to reach a new deal with Sony, as the former demands to all further *Spider-Man* films to be financed on a 50/50 basis with Kevin Feige in a consulting capacity but the latter prefers to keep the arrangement under the current terms, Tom Holland's Spider-Man would be consequently removed from the MCU unless a new deal is reached yet there were no talks for it at that moment. Fortunately, on September 27, 2019, it was announced by Sony and Disney that a new deal was reached and that *Spider-Man: No Way Home* was going to be produced again by Marvel Studios and be a part of the MCU and was scheduled for release in 2021.
	+ The cinematic rights to Namor currently lie with Marvel Studios, but due to "older contracts with other parties" it seems they couldn't use them yet.
		- As of June 2016, the film rights to Namor now lies with Marvel Studios, and can be used in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
	+ The film rights to Man-Thing lie with Marvel Studios, while they originally used to lie with Lionsgate and thus he couldn't be used in the MCU at that time.
* After the release of *Iron Man*, Marvel Studios made a deal to produce five further films with Paramount Pictures, being *Iron Man 2*, *Thor*, *Captain America: The First Avenger*, *The Avengers*, and *Iron Man 3*. In 2009, Disney purchased Marvel and gained the distribution rights to *The Avengers* and *Iron Man 3*. In 2013, Disney gained the distribution rights to *Iron Man*, *Iron Man 2*, *Thor*, and *Captain America: The First Avenger* to close the acquisition of Marvel. *The Incredible Hulk* is the only MCU film not currently owned by Disney due to a separate agreement between Marvel and Universal Pictures.
* A recurring theme in the solo films and television series is that the main protagonist often isn't the one who defeats the main antagonist or needs help from an ally to do so.
	+ Iron Monger and Aldrich Killian were killed by Pepper Potts, and War Machine helped Iron Man defeat Whiplash, who ends up committing suicide.
	+ Thor's fight with Loki was interrupted by Odin, Malekith was killed by Erik Selvig, and Hela was killed by Surtur.
	+ Red Skull was vanished by the Tesseract to Vormir for many years, Nick Fury shot Alexander Pierce, Captain America's fight with Winter Soldier ended as a stalemate, Black Panther stopped Helmut Zemo from killing himself, and Sharon Carter shot Karli Morgenthau.
	+ Dormammu took with him Kaecilius to the Dark Dimension as he left Earth.
		- However, Doctor Strange did force Dormammu to leave Earth with the Zealots after trapping him in a time loop.
	+ Vulture's flying suit overloaded and exploded, leaving him powerless against Spider-Man, Mysterio accidentally caused his own Stark Industries Combat Drones to gun him down while trying to take down Spider-Man, and Spider-Man was aided by alternate versions of himself in defeating and curing the Green Goblin.
	+ Shuri aided Black Panther in killing Erik Killmonger.
	+ Ghost was not defeated and instead stabilized by Janet van Dyne.
	+ Sylvie killed He Who Remains despite Loki's attempts to convince her to not kill him.
	+ Dreykov was killed by Yelena Belova.
	+ Wenwu sacrificed himself for Shang-Chi and allowed himself to be killed by the Dweller-in-Darkness.
	+ The Kingpin was apparently shot by Echo after escaping from Kate Bishop and Hawkeye.
	+ Hulk, Ant-Man, Captain Marvel and Scarlet Witch are currently the only exceptions, as they defeated Abomination, Yellowjacket, Yon-Rogg and Agatha Harkness respectively by themselves.
* Ant-Man and Black Panther are the only protagonists who intentionally killed the antagonist.
	+ However, Black Panther wanted to spare Erik Killmonger's life, but Killmonger refused as he preferred to die rather than be locked up in prison.
* The Marvel Cinematic Universe was visited off-panel by the Young Avengers of Earth-616 when they traveled throughout the Multiverse looking for Speed.
* All of the films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe are shot in the widescreen 2.39:1 aspect ratio except for *The Avengers* and *Ant-Man*, which were shot in the taller 1.85:1 aspect ratio, due to vertical subject matter including Hulk in the former and the shrinking scenes in the latter. However all entries in Phase Three are presented in the 2.39:1 aspect ratio with select sequences opened up in the IMAX expanded aspect ratio of 1.90:1, except for *Spider-Man: Homecoming* which was presented in 2.39:1 throughout. *Avengers: Infinity War* and *Avengers: Endgame* were filmed with IMAX cameras and were presented in the 1.90:1 expanded aspect ratio throughout both films only in IMAX theaters.

## References

1. ↑ Which Studios Own Which Marvel Characters
2. ↑ https://twitter.com/DiscussingFilm/status/1172782239173636097
3. ↑ *Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer - Audio Commentary*
4. ↑ Ryan Reynolds And Paul Wernick Talk ‘Deadpool’ Sequel And The Surprising Link To ‘Guardians 2’
5. ↑ Disney-Fox Deal: Bob Iger Discusses Digital Future, James Murdoch, Hulu and $2B Cost Savings
6. ↑ Disney Officially Owns 21st Century Fox
7. ↑ Spider-Man is finally joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe
8. ↑ How Spider-Man Was Almost In 'The Avengers'
9. ↑ Sony Pictures Entertainment Brings Marvel Studios Into The Amazing World Of Spider-Man
10. ↑ EXCLUSIVE: Sony’s Spider-Man Movies Happen in the “Same Reality” as the MCU
11. ↑ Michael Keaton on Reviving Batman and the Power of Saying No to Hollywood
12. ↑ Spider-Man Could Leave MCU if Disney, Sony Can’t Reach Financing Deal
13. ↑ Spider-Man Will Stay in the Marvel Cinematic Universe
14. ↑ Kevin Feige Talks *Guardians of the Galaxy*, *The Avengers* & *The Sub-Mariner*
15. ↑ PARAMOUNT-MARVEL DEAL: Paramount To Distribute Next Five Marvel Films
16. ↑ Disney to Distribute Marvel's Avengers,' 'Iron Man 3'
17. ↑ Disney Completes Purchase Of Marvel Home Entertainment Distribution Rights
18. ↑ *THE INCREDIBLE HULK*: Disney Won't Get Distribution Rights Back From Universal For Hulk Solo Films For a While
19. ↑ Young Avengers Vol 2 #8

## External Links

* Marvel Cinematic Universe on Wikipedia
* Marvel Cinematic Universe on Marvel Database

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