Marvel Television expanded the universe to network television with Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. The films of Phase Four began with Black Widow (2021). The first three phases in the franchise are collectively known as 'The Infinity Saga'. Phase Three began with Captain America: Civil War (2016) and concluded with Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019). Phase Two began with Iron Man 3 (2013) and concluded with Ant-Man (2015). The first MCU film is Iron Man (2008), which began the films of Phase One culminating in the crossover film The Avengers (2012). The shared universe, much like the original Marvel Universe in comic books, was established by crossing over common plot elements, settings, cast, and characters.
The franchise also includes television series, short films, digital series, and literature. The films are based on characters that appear in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The Marvel Cinematic Universe ( MCU) is an American media franchise and shared universe centered on a series of superhero films produced by Marvel Studios. Marvel Cinematic Universe video game tie-ins Marvel Cinematic Universe television specials Marvel Cinematic Universe television series Marvel Cinematic Universe intertitle from Marvel Studios: Assembling a Universe (2014)
