Marvel Unveils Synopses For Guardians Of The Galaxy 2 And Doctor Strange

With the release of Captain America: Civil War, Marvel officially kicked off Phase 3 of its Cinematic Universe. They've currently got one Phase 3 production in the midst of principal photography, two in post-production, four in pre-production, and two in early development. Expect a lot of Marvel as those movies will be released piecemeal, with one more set to release in 2016, three in 2017, three in 2018, and two in 2019. It's safe to say that Phase 3 is going to be huge. It'll have to be, since its primary function is to wrap up the story Marvel has been telling since 2008, when Nick Fury made himself comfortable in Tony Stark's living room to surprise invite him into the Avenger Initiative.

As the Marvel movie train comes barreling down the tracks, the first signs of their next offerings can be seen. Marvel Studios has just released new synopses for both Doctor Strange and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 now that both productions are wrapped.

Here's how Marvel distills the madness of Doctor Strange into a simple paragraph anyone not tripping on acid can understand:

"Marvel's Doctor Strange follows the story of the talented neurosurgeon Doctor Stephen Strange who, after a tragic car accident, must put ego aside and learn the secrets of a hidden world of mysticism and alternate dimensions. Based in New York City's Greenwich Village, Doctor Strange must act as an intermediary between the real world and what lies beyond, utilizing a vast array of metaphysical abilities and artifacts to protect the Marvel cinematic universe."

Well, they did the best they could. Doctor Strange is a notoriously bonkers comic, especially during its heyday in the mid-to-late 1960s when mind-expanding drugs were as essential a tool for its creation as pen and paper.

Here's Marvel's first peek into the happenings of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.

"Set to the backdrop of 'Awesome Mixtape #2,' Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 continues the team's adventures as they traverse the outer reaches of the cosmos. The Guardians must fight to keep their newfound family together as they unravel the mysteries of Peter Quill's true parentage. Old foes become new allies and fan-favorite characters from the classic comics will come to our heroes' aid as the Marvel cinematic universe continues to expand."

This one is actually interesting. Particularly the line, "fan-favorite characters from the classic comics will come to our heroes' aid." The Guardians team has been around since 1969, but the original team and comic was short-lived. The current Peter Quill-led team has only been in existence since 2008. Not much of a storied past there. If they're talking about classic Guardians characters, there isn't a large pool to choose from, and few could be considered "classic" or "fan favorite." So maybe another Marvel character tangentially connected to the cosmic team of misfits will show up? Nova, perhaps? Captain Marvel? Adam Warlock? It's an interesting idea to tease in a synopsis, and hints at a movie with some surprises in store.