COVID-19 Delays Didn't Change MCU's Phase 4 Creative Plans

It's a strange time for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. At long last, the first entry of Phase 4 has arrived, but it's certainly not what was planned. By now, we should have seen the movies Black Widow and Eternals, along with the first season of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. However, those projects have been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and now it's the Disney+ original series WandaVision, the first Marvel Studios TV show, that's kicking off this chapter of the universe.

Even with the massive release schedule changes, Marvel Studios Kevin Feige says the planned story of Phase 4 remains the same. Speaking at a press conference for WandaVision, Feige said, "Creatively, it didn't reshuffle." However, if necessary, it wouldn't be out of the question. "Part of having a long-lead plan is having the ability and the ideas of how to shuffle, should the need arise," he added.

That said, Feige was quick to note it wasn't smooth sailing for the studio once COVID-19 shut down the entertainment industry. It was just less of a story issue than it was a production one. "I'm not saying we were prepped for a global pandemic. We were not," he said. "But we've always, over the past 12-15 years of Marvel Studios, been able to shuffle around. This required no shuffling whatsoever, in terms of the creative--just in terms of production."

As it stands, there's no telling when fans will be able to see another MCU movie in theaters. Currently, Black Widow is scheduled for theaters on May 7, with Eternals said to hit theaters in November. Meanwhile, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier will launch on Disney+ at the conclusion of WandaVision's run.

If you've seen the first two episodes of WandaVision on Disney+, make sure to check out our Easter egg gallery to see all of the hidden clues Marvel Studios packed into the show. You'd also be wise to hear what Feige has to say about WandaVision's impact on Phase 4.