The Marvel Cinematic Universe is entering a new phase. After a decade of wildly successful superhero films, Marvel and parent company Disney have been relatively quiet lately about what’s going to happen to its ever-expanding universe of characters after Avengers 4 hits on May 3, 2019. There’s been a lot speculation that some major players — including Chris Evans as Captain America — will be exiting the MCU pretty soon, although co-director Joe Russo has hinted that Evans may stick around longer than we’ve been led to believe.
Still, we’re at a point where a lot of people are wondering how Marvel will fill the hole Evans leaves behind. One obvious solution is for Sam Wilson/Falcon (Anthony Mackie) to step into the role of Captain America, as that’s what happens in the comics. But other options exist. For example, during a visit to The Ellen DeGeneres Show, WWE star John Cena said he’d be up for it:
"If it’s out there, if the Captain America people are listening, and you’re out there watching right now, I’ll totally do it. I totally will. I think I’d be a good Captain America. And I’ve already ruined everybody’s childhood, so it can’t get any worse."
I’m honestly not sure what he talking about with the “ruined everybody’s childhood” comment. I think it’s about him having hair now.
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Anyway, while Mackie is probably the better choice as Captain America, the fact that we’re talking about Cena at all is evidence that the MCU is going through a transition, hopefully one that will be exciting for fans. As Joanna Robinson outlines over at Vanity Fair, one of the biggest changes is diversifying the lineup. Captain Marvel, the first MCU movie headed by a woman, hits theaters in March, with a sequel probably on the way after that. Marvel executive Kevin Feige has also said that a movie about Ms. Marvel, a teenage muslim superhero inspired by Captain Marvel, is “definitely sort of in the works.” There’s also a Black Widow solo movie on the way, which is long overdue, since she’s the only member of the original Avengers team besides Hawkeye not to have her own flick.
Beyond that, Deadline reports that Marvel is making a movie based on Shang-Chi, a comic about a martial arts-based superhero. Shang-Chi is far from the best known superhero in Marvel’s roster, but if the movie happens, it will be the first Marvel movie to have an Asian lead. Marvel may have been inspired to diversify by the insane success of Black Panther, which is also getting a sequel.
Basically, diversity is good for business and good in general. Viva Phase 4.
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