10 Infinity War & Endgame Dreams Coming True in Phase 5 & Beyond

During the era of Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, fans theorized and made wishes about the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and many of these are now being fulfilled in Phase 5 and beyond. Since both Infinity War and Endgame were the culmination of the MCU’s Infinity Saga, fans worldwide engaged in much discussion and speculation leading up to their release. Theories about character deaths, Thanos’ plans, and the snap’s aftermath were among the various hypotheses proposed.

Despite this, not all wishes and theories related to these films came to fruition by the end of Phase 3. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever marked the conclusion of Phase 4, and Phase 5 of the MCU is now underway as the second chapter in the Multiverse Saga. In Marvel’s MCU Phase 5 and beyond, ten significant wishes for Infinity War and Endgame are actually being realized in the MCU world.

 1.  Phase 5 Will Introduce Blade to the MCU

For years, fans have been eager for Blade to join the MCU, and their wish is finally coming true. While Wesley Snipes’ film series in the late 1990s and early 2000s had its own unique blend of humor, gore, and excitement, fans have long-awaited a proper MCU adaptation of the Daywalker. In the final movie of Phase 5, set to release in 2024, Mahershala Ali will star as Blade. This film will ideally depict Blade as a crucial character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, fulfilling one of many desires that emerged from the era of Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.

 2.  The Thunderbolts to Take a Significant Role in Phase 5

In addition to the X-Men, Defenders, and Fantastic Four, many fans have been eagerly hoping for the Thunderbolts to join the MCU. As the lead-up to Infinity War and Endgame established antiheroes such as Ghost and Bucky Barnes, there was a growing desire to see Marvel’s version of a Suicide Squad-like team in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Thunderbolts, scheduled for release in 2024 as the second-to-last movie of Phase 5, will finally fulfill that wish. The film will feature Bucky, Ghost, Taskmaster, Yelena Belova, Red Guardian, and Valentina Allegra De Fontaine as the long-awaited antihero team joining the MCU.

 3.  Legacy Characters of Iron Man and Captain America in the Spotlight

In Captain America 4, Sam Wilson, Steve Rogers’ legacy character, will take center stage in Phase 5. Additionally, Riri Williams, the successor to Tony Stark’s Iron Man, will have her own Disney+ series as part of Phase 5. Fans had hoped that Avengers 3 and 4 would establish legacy replacements for the core heroes after speculation that Iron Man and Cap would either retire or perish. Finally, in Phase 5, this desire will be fulfilled with Captain America: New World Order and Ironheart, which will focus on the successors of the two main characters of the Infinity Saga.

 4.  Thunderbolt Ross’s Reintroduction in Avengers 3 & 4 a Big Deal for Phase 5

Despite being largely forgotten in the MCU after 2008’s The Incredible Hulk due to rights issues and Bruce Banner’s recasting, Thunderbolt Ross’ appearance in Captain America: Civil War, as well as Infinity War and Endgame, left fans hoping for a more prominent role in the MCU. Phase 5 will bring this desire to fruition, with Harrison Ford taking over the role of Thunderbolt Ross from the late William Hurt in Captain America: New World Order. With The Leader also appearing in Captain America 4, Ross’s potential transformation into the Red Hulk from Marvel Comics could make him a significant player in Phase 5.

 5.  The Fantastic Four to Star in their Own MCU Movie

Like the X-Men, The Fantastic Four have long been a team that fans have wished to see in the MCU, particularly after the cosmic elements of the universe were explored in Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame. While they did not appear in those films, Phase 6 of the MCU will finally introduce a reboot of The Fantastic Four, with a release date set for 2025. The film will be directed by Matt Shakman and is expected to be a major component of the Multiverse Saga.

 6.  Hugh Jackman to Join the MCU as Wolverine

Hugh Jackman’s portrayal of Wolverine is often cited as one of the best superhero castings of all time, and his absence from the MCU has been a topic of much discussion and speculation, particularly during the lead-up to Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. However, Phase 6 of the MCU will finally bring this wish to fruition with Jackman set to reprise his role as Wolverine in Deadpool 3.

Despite the character’s death in Logan, Jackman’s return will involve a different iteration of Wolverine, likely facilitated by the MCU’s use of the multiverse. This long-awaited addition of Jackman’s version of the character will finally become a reality in the MCU, and the fact that Deadpool 3 will not diminish the legacy of Jackman’s Logan portrayal will make his return all the more satisfying.

 7.  X-Men Slowly Set Up in the MCU

The possibility of X-Men being integrated into the MCU has been a topic of much speculation, fueled by Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox in 2017. Although Avengers: Endgame did not deliver on this wish, Phase 4 of the MCU has hinted at it, with Phase 5 expected to expand on it further. The confirmation that Ms. Marvel is a mutant in the MCU adds to the anticipation, with her appearance in The Marvels in Phase 5 potentially containing more X-Men references.

Moreover, Deadpool 3 will bring the titular mutant into the MCU, following the continuity of the previous two Fox universe films. This will likely feature even more nods and setups for the MCU’s X-Men, which will hopefully be fully realized in Phase 6 and beyond.

 8.  Beloved MCU Characters Returning in Believable Ways

After the emotional deaths of beloved characters like Loki and Gamora in Avengers: Infinity War, many devastated fans hoped for their return to the MCU. Marvel Studios will be fulfilling this wish in Phase 5 in a way that makes narrative sense. While Loki made his Phase 4 comeback through his self-titled TV series, his second season will debut in Phase 5 and is expected to tie him to the overarching story of the Multiverse Saga in a significant way.

In a similar vein, Gamora will make her Phase 5 appearance in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. While Avengers: Endgame introduced another variant of Gamora into the main MCU timeline, Guardians 3 will mark her true focus. The film is set to conclude the Guardians’ trilogy and this version of the team, providing Gamora with a final swan song alongside her comrades, even though this new Gamora is not familiar with any of them as the original one was.

 9.  Adam Warlock to Finally Appear after GOTG 2 Post-Credits Tease

Many Marvel fans were excited for the introduction of Adam Warlock to the MCU, as teased in the post-credit scene of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Despite high hopes for a big role in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, the character did not appear. However, in Phase 5, Adam Warlock will finally make his debut in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, the second theatrical installment. While some changes to his comic book story may occur due to Thanos’ defeat, actor Will Poulter will portray the character in the conclusion of the Guardians franchise.

 10.  Daredevil Officially Joins the MCU and Gets a New TV Series

Leading up to Avengers: Infinity War, many fans wished to see Charlie Cox reprise his role as Daredevil in the MCU. However, neither the film nor its sequel managed to include Matt Murdock. This is something that Phase 5 is addressing in a big way. After brief appearances in Spider-Man: No Way Home and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, Phase 5 will introduce Daredevil: Born Again, which will be the character’s proper reintroduction to the MCU.

Jon Bernthal’s Punisher is also expected to return, and Daredevil: Born Again is being hyped as the potential reintegration of the Netflix Marvel universe’s characters into the MCU, beginning with Daredevil himself.