Marvel Studios revealed the next phase of their expanding movie universe based on favorite and brand new heroes from the comics.
Inspired by our ….for Virgins series that began with the first Avengers movie here’s what you need to know about the next movies if you’re just a superhero movie fan or you’re a casual comic book reader who needs a refresher.
What is Civil War aka Why is Robert Downey Jr. in Captain America 3 instead of Iron Man 4?
Imagine the next Cap movie as an Avengers 2.0 but with Steve (Chris) and Tony (Downey) clashing more than ever. It was based on a hugely successful Marvel comics event in the early 2000’s. The U.S. government and public finally reach a limit on costumed heroes saving the day but destroying property and endangering lives while trying to save lives. The Superhero Registration Act is passes forcing heroes to register, reveal their secret identities and agree to work for the government as super powered police officers. Futurist Tony Stark sees the logic and agrees to lead the movement. Steve believes the law violate civil liberties and questions the government having supreme authority over super powered police. Cap leads the resistance and fans must ask Whose Side Are You On?
Who is Black Panther? T’Challa is a Prince of the African nation of Wakanda. The fictional nation is very isolationist, secretive and powerful because it’s the only source of vibranium on Earth which came via meteorite. (Cap’s shield is made of vibranium so Howard Stark or someone in the Strategic Scientific Reserve found a way to get it.) It’s the only African nation to never be conquered by European nations. Wakanda is ruled by a royal family and each leader is known as the Black Panther. T’Challa was sent by his father to be an ambassador to the outside world and joined the Avengers. Black Panther possesses superhuman senses and Olympic level strength, speed, agility and stamina. T’Challa has a genius level intellect and great inventor who can hold his own with Stark. T’Challa has vibranium built into his unform.
Who is Captain Marvel- One of the most popular Avengers in the team’s history. Carol Danvers was an Air Force pilot kidnapped by a Kree soldier and exposed to the explosion of his alien device granting her super powers. Danvers would become Ms. Marvel join the Avengers and a few years ago became Captain Marvel, the title once held by a Kree soldier turned Avenger. Danvers already has a huge fan base from her years as Ms. Marvel but the Carol Corps grew with the success of her Captain Marvel solo book and appearances in the Avengers. Carol is currently exploring outer space with the Guardians of the Galaxy.
Who are the Inhumans? Think X-Men meets Game of Thrones. The Kree came to Earth at the dawn of time experimenting on ancient humans to create super soldiers for their inter-galactic wars. Descendants of those ancient humans evolved into a secret society. When a young Inhuman comes of age they are exposed to Terrigen Mists (from alien crystals) that trigger the alien DNA in their genes and they gain super powers and often radically different appearances. Inhumans are ruled by a royal family in a secret city called Attilan. Black Bolt (who can destroy cities with a word) is King. Medusa (with powerfully strong hair she can use like fists or tentacles) is his devoted Queen. In a recent battle against Thanos Black Bolt detonated a Terrigen Bomb unleashing the mists across the world. Every human with a hint of the ancient DNA were transformed. NuHumans are popping up across the globe. Some are heroes, villains, targets and pawns in a coming war for control of the Inhuman throne and the planet.
Who is Doctor Strange? Stephen Strange began his career as a brilliant but arrogant surgeon before an accident ruined his hand and career. Strange’s search for a cure led him to Tibet and an encounter with The Ancient One who showed him a new path. Strange became the Sorcerer Supreme of Earth defending humanity against supernatural threats, demons and vampires. Strange has been a member of The Defenders, New Avengers and The Illuminati – a secret cabal of heroes who act to save the Earth, often without telling the other Avengers. You may remember Stephen Strange was mentioned in Captain America: The Winter Soldier in Hydra’s scans for potential threats to their world order.
What is The Infinity War? Avengers 3 will be split into two movies. You’ve seen elements of the storyline in several previous films. Thanos is seeking six Infinity gems which he will assemble on a mystical gauntlet granting him ultimate power. The Gauntlet was seen in Odin’s vault in Thor. We’ve seen gems in Thor: The Dark World and Guardians of the Galaxy.
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By Editor