Why Marvel Stopped Numbering Sequels After Iron Man 3
Iron Man 3 marks a historic moment in Marvel's history, as it is the last numbered MCU sequel for a few reasons. Iron Man 3 chronologically follows the similarly named Iron Man 2 and Iron Man, but other Phase 1 Marvel Cinematic Universe movies like Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger would have sequels with more creative titles. However, there are a few good reasons why Kevin Feige and Marvel Studios changed this formula after Tony Stark's last solo film,Iron Man 3.
Released in 2013, Iron Man 3 is the first film of Marvel Studios' Phase 2, following The Avengers, which was the culmination of Phase 1, bringing Tony Stark, Steve Rogers, Bruce Banner, Thor, Clint Barton, and Natasha Romanoff together to battle Loki. Phase 1 features solo movies for each of these characters except Hawkeye, who is briefly introduced in Thor, and Black Widow, who appears in Iron Man 2, which is also part of Phase 1. Following Iron Man 3, every Phase 2, 3, and 4 movie has shunned the naming convention of numbered sequels, with Steve Rogers' sequel movie being called Captain America: The Winter Soldier, as opposed to «Captain America 2» in what would prove to be a wholesale MCU change.
Related: How Powerful Iron Man Really Is In Each MCU Movie
Iron Man 3 represents the last remnants of Marvel Studios' Phase 1, as the MCU was still creating its formula after the immense success of The Avengers. Phase 1 is the least unified Marvel Phase as Kevin Feige lacked complete control, and some movies, such as The Incredible Hulk, were co-productions with other film studios. AsIron Man 3 was released when superhero movies were still evolving from the era of Sam Raimi'sSpider-Man trilogy and the FOX X-Men movies into the modern MCU, it makes sense
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