Marvel Cinematic Universe: Phase One

Phase One
Packaging for the "Marvel Cinematic Universe – Phase One: Avengers Assembled" Blu-ray box set
Based on	Characters published by Marvel Comics
Produced by	Kevin Feige Avi Arad (IM & TIH) Gale Anne Hurd (TIH)
Starring	See below
Production company	Marvel Studios
Distributed by	Paramount Pictures (2008–2011) Universal Pictures (TIH; 2008) Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures (2012)
Release date	2008–2012
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	Total (6 films): $0.956–1 billion
Box office	Total (6 films): $3.815 billion

Phase One of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is a group of American superhero films produced by Marvel Studios based on characters that appear in publications by Marvel Comics. The MCU is the shared universe in which all of the films are set. The phase began in May 2008 with the release of Iron Man and concluded in May 2012 with the release of The Avengers. Kevin Feige produced every film in the phase, with Avi Arad also producing Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk (2008), and Gale Anne Hurd also producing the latter.

Marvel previously licensed the film rights for some characters to other studios. They began exploring producing their own feature films by 2005, and Marvel Studios was formed. Following the success of Iron Man they moved forward with a plan to have several individual superhero films culminate in a team-up Avengers film. Paramount Pictures distributed the films except for The Incredible Hulk, which was released by Universal Pictures, and The Avengers, which was released by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

The films star Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark / Iron Man in Iron Man and Iron Man 2 (2010), Edward Norton as Bruce Banner / Hulk in The Incredible Hulk, Chris Hemsworth as Thor in Thor (2011), and Chris Evans as Steve Rogers / Captain America in Captain America: The First Avenger (2011). All returned to star in the ensemble film The Avengers except for Norton, who was replaced by Mark Ruffalo. Samuel L. Jackson has the most appearances in the phase, starring or making cameo appearances as Nick Fury in five of the films.

The phase's six films grossed over US$3.8 billion at the global box office and received generally positive critical and public responses. They are credited with establishing a foundation for the success of later phases. Marvel Studios created three short films for their Marvel One-Shots program—The Consultant, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Thor's Hammer, and Item 47—to expand the MCU, while each feature film received tie-in comic books and video games. Phases One, Two, and Three make up "The Infinity Saga" storyline.