Since 2008, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, also known as the MCU, has released its Marvel Studios productions in multiple phases. The fourth and most recent phase of the MCU, the Post-Infinity Saga, contains all of the Marvel Studios productions released since January 2021 and all of the productions set to be released into 2023.

Phase Four of the MCU is said to feature 12 new films that explore the lives of Marvel heroes. Two of the films planned for release later this year include Black Widow, in which Natasha Romanoff is forced to confront her dangerous past, and a sequel to Spider-Man: Far from Home (2019), which may follow up on the mid-credits scene from Spider-Man: Far from Home.

Along with lots of new films planned for release in the next two years by Marvel Studios comes 13 new television series. Some of these Phase Four television series include the already-released WandaVision, which dives into the subconscious of Wanda Maximoff, and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, where Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes team up in an ability-testing adventure.

Unlike previous MCU Phases, I find that Marvel’s TV shows will connect the cinematic universe together more than ever before. We’ll be seeing both familiar and unknown faces with the MCU expanding its horizons to provide insights into the individual lives of more characters, such as Black Widow and the Scarlet Witch.

But certain Marvel fans find that Phase Four feels a bit dull in comparison to previous phases. They think poorly of this new phase because it revolves around new, somewhat unknown characters and an emphasis on diversity within the casts. Lots of MCU fans are also upset that much of Phase Four has to be paid for to watch through a monthly subscription with the streaming service Disney Plus.

I’ll agree, it’s a little annoying that MCU fans are forced to buy a monthly Disney Plus subscription to be able to watch some Marvel Studios productions. But I find that new characters and an added element of diversity within productions allow fans to look at Marvel’s heroes in a different light.

The first two Phases of the MCU focused heavily on building up a foundation for Marvel’s star pitchers, the Avengers. In Phase Three the MCU introduced new characters that built a relationship between groups and led to the grand battle in Avengers: Endgame against Thanos. But Phase Four will introduce the world to a plethora of new, diverse characters and will dive into the lives of other characters. I personally cannot wait to see what Marvel has in store for Phase Four of the MCU.