Is Marvel Studios Planning a Massive 3-Phase Trilogy? Joss Whedon Hints Thanos is Being Saved for a "Big Finale" in The Avengers 3

The Avengers, The Avengers Sequel and Phase 2 helmer Joss Whedon continues to open the flood gates of rumors and speculation. First, he teased a brother and sister duo could make an appearance in The Avengers Sequel. Now, he hints that Thanos may not even be the main villain in The Avengers Sequel.

"Thanos is more powerful. He is so powerful he is not someone you can just try out and punch him," Whedon said to Desde Hollywood. "Like he did in the comics, you want him threading through the universe and to save the big finale for the big finale. He is definitely a part of what I have got going on.

"The thing about The Avengers is that they are very powerful but not very stable. So, there will definitely be some people that will shake them up in the next installment.”

At first glimpse it sounds like Thanos is still pulling the strings of other villains (Masters of Evil maybe?) and he may be the main antagonist(s) in The Avengers Sequel. Then, when you go back and read this again, something bigger pops out.

Here comes some speculation on our part. Did Whedon pretty much confirm that Marvel Studios' current plan is to take the 'Phases' of their Marvel cinematic universe and make a massive trilogy out of them? Right now, Iron Man 3 is starting up Phase 2 and we already know there will be a Phase 3 since Ant-Man is confirmed to launch it and Doctor Strange is rumored to be a part of the third phase as well.

The current trend with large franchise movies is to make a trilogy out of them. Sometimes it is not planned initially—like with The Matrix and Pirates of the Caribbean—but when you make a ton of money, a trilogy is the most common result. Marvel Studios might be turning the known trilogy concept upside down since the first part of a potential massive trilogy (Phase 1) was very, very successful.

Phase 1, Phase 2 and a Phase 3 would be a feat of movie making history and it's sounding like Whedon may have just hinted that it's definitely a possibility. If Thanos is still lurking behind the scenes in Phase 2, then you can bet a 3-phase trilogy is Marvel's plan and Thanos' "big finale" will be in The Avengers 3.




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