Marvelous Disney Episode 64: MCU Timeline, Quake Rumors, and Universal's Marvel Characters

MCU Phase Two Chronology

• 💡 Phase Two of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is detailed, emphasizing the integration of "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." with films like "Thor: The Dark World" and "Captain America: The Winter Soldier."
• 🚀 The recommended viewing order involves interspersing "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." episodes with key MCU movies to maintain chronological accuracy.
• 🎬 "Guardians of the Galaxy" is suggested as a double feature before "Avengers: Age of Ultron" to streamline the viewing experience.

Marvel Studios Production and Casting

• ⚠️ Thor: Love and Thunder production in Australia faces potential delays due to wildfires and COVID-19, despite government subsidies.
• 🎬 Christian Bale is confirmed to play the villain in "Thor: Love and Thunder," with Tessa Thompson confirming the casting.
• 💥 "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" production shutdown necessitates its completion before "Thor: Love and Thunder" can begin.
• 📅 "Black Panther 2" is slated to shoot in March 2021, followed by "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" in Georgia.

Multiverse and Fantastic Four Rumors

• 🌐 The concept of the multiverse is expected to be a significant focus in the MCU, potentially starting with "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness."
• 🦸 John Krasinski is rumored to be in talks to play Reed Richards, with the character possibly originating from Earth-1610 (Ultimate Marvel universe).
• 💥 The "Ultimate Marvel" universe is discussed as a way to refresh continuity, featuring retellings of stories like "The Ultimates" and the introduction of Miles Morales as Spider-Man.
• 🧟 Discussions include the possibility of bringing back characters like Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man and Robert Downey Jr.'s Tony Stark in alternate multiverse forms.

Disney's Past Interest in Marvel

• 💰 Michael Eisner considered acquiring Marvel Entertainment in the mid-1990s, seeing it as a way to create a Disney "action universe" similar to Warner Bros.' DC Comics.
• 🚫 Executives initially objected, deeming Marvel too "edgy" and potentially damaging to the Disney brand.
• 🤝 Universal's Marvel Superhero Island deal was a contingency after losing the rights to DC Comics characters.
• 📈 The success of "Blade" in 1998 and the merger of Toy Biz with Marvel Entertainment in 1998 were crucial steps leading to the formation of Marvel Studios.

Universal's Marvel Superhero Island

• 🔍 A crowdsourcing effort is underway via the Jim Hill Media Twitter feed to identify all Marvel characters featured in Universal's Islands of Adventure "Superhero Island" to clarify licensing agreements.
• ❓ The timing of Universal's Marvel licensing deal (March 1994) is contrasted with Disney's potential interest around the same period, raising questions about what might have been.

Potential Casting and Missed Opportunities

• 🎬 A theory suggests Bob Hoskins was considered for Wolverine, and James Cameron had an unmade Spider-Man project.
• 🎭 Eddie Murphy turned down the role of Eddie Valiant in "Who Framed Roger Rabbit," a decision he later regretted.