Angelina, Natalie and Scarlett: Marvel going all in on female empowerment for phase 4

In case you were out to dinner or otherwise disposed on Saturday night, Marvel Studios announced a whole lot of projects coming in the next couple of years.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has come in waves called "phases." Phase 1 was origin stories, then we had “The Avengers” and phase 3 ended with the last “Spider-Man.”

Fans at San Diego Comic-Con got the goods on phase 4 on Saturday, including confirmation of a "Black Widow" movie, along with news of the next "Thor," a "Loki" series and so much more.

But an overture towards female empowerment shone through, as the likes of Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson and Angelina Jolie were either given their own movie, leads in a movie or elevated within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Black Widow

Fans have been clamoring for this movie for some time and next May, they are finally going to get it.

After her death in "Endgame," many wondered if Scarlett Johansson would get that standalone that Black Widow fans wanted -- and that's a resounding yes.

David Harbour, Florence Pugh, O-T Fagbenle, and Rachel Weisz will star alongside her in a film that will be directed by Cate Shortland.

In an interview that aired on "Good Morning America" Monday, Johansson said, "You actually get to all the questions you may have had about this mysterious character and who she is. Where she comes from, her makeup, who she knows, like, what makes her her? What are the secrets of the past that haunt her?"

Sounds like an origin story to us and we're 100% in.

The Goddess of Thunder!

Up until now, Natalie Portman has really been relegated to Thor's love interest in these films. Not anymore.

Director Taika Waititi brought Portman on stage this weekend and actually handed her his hammer in a sign of things to come as The Mighty Thor, the Goddess of Thunder.

This mirrors what also happens in the comics and for the Oscar winner, it makes perfect sense. If anyone can wield Mjolnir, it's Portman.

Fans lost their mind seeing her as she said holding the hammer "feels pretty good."

"Thor: Love and Thunder" is out November, 2021.

Jolie Eternal

This is something we never saw coming.

Angelina Jolie was announced Saturday as the star of "Eternals," a movie that comes out right around election time, November 2020.

Jolie will star alongside Salma Hayek and play Thena, one of the Eternals of Olympia.

Basically, the Eternals act as the Gods' representatives on Earth and Thena is one powerful woman. The Eternals are committed to peace, but locked in an ongoing war with the Deviants.

She is ageless, has superhuman strength and like Captain Marvel, she can manipulate energy and fire it from her body.

"I'm gonna work 10 times harder," she said about being in the MCU. "I know what we all need to do ... and we know what you deserve."

What is Awkwafina's secret role?

In a movie out in early 2021, Awkwafina will star in a yet-unknown role in "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings."

If you don't know this young actress and comedian, then you've been living under a rock for the past few years.

Not only did she slay in "Crazy Rich Asians," but she is already getting awards buzz for her dramatic turn in "The Farewell."

In short, she owns whatever project she takes on.

So, while Simu Liu will star as "Shang-Chi," don't expect her role to be some damsel in distress.

In fact, Marvel is probably keeping it under wraps for a reason.

Wanda you talking about

Guess who's back again and with a vengeance.

After her incredible return in "Endgame," Elizabeth Olsen is back as Scarlet Witch with Vision in "WandaVision," which will stream on Disney + in the Spring of 2021.

After a solid run since being introduced, this series will finally let fans understand "the Scarlet Witch"...and there are a lot of surprises.

Also, Teyonah Parris has been cast as Monica Rambeau, another Marvel hero, so that's twice the kick-butt female fun.

With movies and series on Disney + that promise to overlap, there should be tons of fun cameos here.

Plus the Witch is one of the baddest heroes in all of the Marvel Universe. So, hold on to your seats, folks.

What about Captain Marvel?

Good question?!

After there were hints that Brie Larson's all-powerful Marvel will be the leader of the Avengers, like she is in the comic books, it seems that fans want more, especially after the first film grossed $1 billion.

It was confirmed that a sequel is coming this weekend, just not when it will be released.

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