The laws of physics will always remind you with Newton’s third law that for every action, there exists an equal and opposite reaction. Well, it seems that it also applies in real life and even in films as a Marvel producer reveals that “reaction” is what the whole MCU Phase Four is all about.
Now that MCU Phase Four is halfway through the current line-up of titles, Marvel Studios Production and Development Head, Richie Palmer, revealed on the Spoiler Special podcast of Empire, that the fourth phase will be all about the reactions of the characters after the events of Endgame.
Palmer explained, "Phase Four is all a reaction – and I don't mean on our part as filmmakers, I mean the characters. It's a reaction to the trauma of Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame. We're still feeling those effects in these movies years later."
As an example, there’s Wanda Maximoff whose arc has been one of the most expansive in MCU Phase Four making her a central figure in the narrative. From a hero to a villain then back to a hero again, Wanda’s story fully explains how the fourth phase is all about reactions.
Palmer shared, "It's also something we spoke to Elizabeth Olsen about every step of the way, that for her, Wanda's full journey is leading to a moment of accountability. And we think she's gotten there."
Palmer added how Wanda’s story goes full circle, "Wanda's version was leaning solely into being the Scarlet Witch, which what we found out from Agatha and the Darkhold, through Wanda's self-discovery, that that's the opposite: the worst villain of all time, the destroyer of worlds."
Palmer narrated how Wanda’s reaction to Endgame led to how actions in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, “She's aware now, 'Oh, I'm supposed to be this god. I've always known this kinda, under the surface, but it's now been told to me. Now, my way of dealing with my loss and trauma is just going full-in to what I am, which is the Scarlet Witch, so I'm going to be that.' Of course, in our movie, she's like, 'I don't want to be that, I want to go be with my kids. So leave me alone, but I'm just letting you know that I am the Scarlet Witch, so don't mess with me.'"
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Other characters like the Falcon embracing being Captain America, Peter Parker asking Doctor Strange to cast an unbreakable spell for him, Doctor Strange keeping America Chavez alive, Hawkeye dealing with grief after losing Black Widow, and many more, all these are the characters’ reactions to what happened in Endgame.
Aside from the reactions, MCU Phase Four also has its fair share of introducing new characters into the franchise like Eternals, Moon Knight, Ms. Marvel, She-Hulk, Agatha Harkness, Blade, and many more which will help expand the narrative into a bigger picture.
Whose reaction do you like best so far in MCU Phase Four? Who among the new additions to the MCU do you like the most?
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