Kevin Feige has revealed that Jonathan Hickman's Secret Wars (2015), a storyline from the Marvel comics, is being used as a blueprint for the future of the MCU after Avengers: Secret Wars. This is the clearest indication yet of where the franchise is headed. As the Multiverse Saga ends, Marvel Studios is preparing for its next chapter with movies such as Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Avengers: Doomsday. Feige’s latest comments provide a glimpse into the long-term vision that is informing the studio’s plans after Secret Wars. 

While Feige's comments hinted at Marvel's long-term direction, he identified the specific comic storyline that is shaping the studio's plans for the post-Secret Wars era. 

Kevin Feige has revealed the comic that will guide the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe after Avengers: Secret Wars, and it is Jonathan Hickman’s landmark 2015  Secret Wars comic. He also reiterated that the franchise is not getting rebooted. Feige told the Happy Sad Confused podcast, along with Spider-Man: Brand New Day executive producer Amy Pascal, that Marvel is once again looking back to the comics for inspiration. 

“I looked at the comics as I always do, in terms of our storytelling, and after both the Secret Wars, but particularly the Hickman Secret Wars from 10 years ago, there's a nice road map to where we can go,” Feige said, implying that the comic will help guide the MCU in its next era.  

While talking on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Feige also confirmed that Avengers: Doomsday will still be released when planned. He then dismissed rumors that Secret Wars may be released as two separate films. Then, while talking about the casting for the X-Men, Feige pointedly did not confirm there to be an ongoing casting process.

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Feige’s statements shed some light on what the future of MCU will be once the Multiverse Saga is over, with multiple big franchises anticipated to dominate Marvel in its next cycle.

Marvel Studios is set to begin Phase 7 after the conclusion of its Multiverse Saga series with Avengers: Secret Wars in late 2027. The following phase is believed to be mostly about mutants and the X-Men, along with the continuation of existing series with sequels in a strategically planned way. It is also being reported that Marvel has laid out its roadmap up to the next decade, demonstrating the future vision of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

After the Secret Wars, Marvel Studios plans to introduce new superhero teams alongside existing series. It includes projects of X-Men, Black Panther, Shang-Chi, around 5 Spider-Man movies, and a rumored Ghost Rider reboot starring Ryan Gosling. Instead of bringing out every prominent character in a short time, Marvel will slowly but steadily grow its universe by combining legacy heroes, mutants, and supernatural beings for the next major saga of the franchise.

Secret Wars places more importance on evolving the concept rather than starting from scratch. With Phase 7 on the horizon, it appears that mutants and supernatural beings will fit right into the frame. Meanwhile, Feige's comments suggest the studio appears focused on building forward rather than starting over.

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Do you think Marvel is taking the right approach by using the comics as a roadmap for the MCU's future? Let us know the comments.