Eternals, Blade, Black Widow: The new films revealed by Marvel

Any Marvel fans experiencing an Avengers comedown following Endgame can fear not, as there’s plenty more superhero action in the pipeline.

The entertainment giant released details of phase four of its cinematic universe at the San Diego Comic-Con convention over the weekend, with surprise appearances from some stars.

Here are some of the films fans can look forward to:

The Eternals

A group of immortal superheroes who first appeared in Marvel comics in 1976, created by revered artist Jack Kirby, The Eternals are now set to hit the silver screen – with Angelina Jolie taking one of the starring roles.

The actress will play Thena, appearing alongside British actor Richard Madden, best known for Game Of Thrones and Bodyguard, as well as Kumail Nanjiani, Lauren Ridloff, Brian Tyree Henry, Salma Hayek, Lia McHugh and Don Lee.

The film is due to be released in November 2020.

Thor

The fourth instalment in the series about the god of thunder will see Natalie Portman playing a female Thor.

The actress played Jane Foster in the first two Thor films and the character’s arc from the comic books will be mimicked on screen in Thor: Love and Thunder.

Chris Hemsworth, who plays the original Thor, and Tessa Thompson, who plays fellow Asgardian Valkyrie, will also be returning. Valkyrie will be Marvel’s first out LGBTQ character, it has been announced.

Accepting Thor’s hammer from director Taika Waititi as the announcement was made, Portman said: “Feels pretty good. I’ve always had a little hammer in me.”

Hail Thor, goddess of thunder.

Blade

Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali will play vampire hunter Blade in a reboot of the franchise.

Taking on the role famously portrayed by Wesley Snipes more than 20 years ago, Ali appeared on stage at Comic-Con to announce the news, pulling on a Blade cap to cheers from the crowd.

Blade, half-human, half-vampire, first appeared in the 1973 comic book The Tomb of Dracula. The character was portrayed by Snipes in three films, starting with 1998’s Blade and finishing with 2004’s Blade Trinity.

Ali, 45, has won two best supporting actor Oscars, for Moonlight and Green Book.

Shang-Chi

Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings will be Marvel’s first Asian-American superhero film.

Little known actor Simu Liu has been cast in the lead role, alongside Crazy Rich Asians star Awkwafina and Tony Leung, with Destin Daniel Cretton directing.

Look out for it in cinemas in February 2021.

Black Widow

Scarlett Johansson has played Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) since 2010, but is now set to take the lead on her own.

The actress has promised “a lot of surprises” in the new movie, which will also star Rachel Weisz, David Harbour and Florence Pugh.

A former Russian spy who defected to the Avengers, the character first appeared on screen in Iron Man 2 in 2010.

The standalone Black Widow is due for release in May 2020.

Doctor Strange

Benedict Cumberbatch will return for sequel Doctor Strange In the Multiverse Of Madness, which will also star Elizabeth Olsen as Scarlett Witch.

Director Scott Derrickson revealed it will have a horror focus, saying: “We are going to make the first scary MCU film.”

The film is due for release in May 2021.

Anything else?

Kevin Feige, president of Marvel Studios, also dropped hints about Black Panther 2, Captain Marvel 2, the Fantastic Four and a nod to the X-Men.

Watch this space.

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(c) Sky News 2019: Eternals, Blade, Black Widow: The new films revealed by Marvel