The Year Marvel Started Building a Cinematic Universe

In 2008, Marvel released a lil’ film called Iron Man starring Robert Downey Jr. Not only did it serve as Downey’s big comeback, it also kicked off the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), raking in $585.2 million. Since then, the MCU was purchased by Disney for $4 billion, they pumped out 23 films in three phases and ultimately became the highest-grossing film franchise of all time—earning over $22 billion dollars.

 

But that’s not the end. Phase Four of their Cinematic Universe is about to begin with the premier of Black Widow this May, followed by two Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and WandaVision. We also can’t forget The Eternals, which is set to hit theaters by the end of 2020.

 

Twelve years ago, the MCU might have been a harebrained idea, but now it’s a global force that launches careers, blows up the box office earnings and gives the comic book fan boy culture something to look forward to each year.