It’s fairly obvious that Marvel Studios has laid out the groundwork for their Cinematic Universe. Each and every film bridges the gap to the next chapter of each Phase, with each and every event having an effect on the end of each Phase.

So the events in Captain America: The Winter Soldier will have an effect on what we see in Avengers: Age Of Ultron. Disney CEO Bob Iger told The Wrap that the upcoming film will “set critical events in motion” that will lead directly into next year’s The Avengers: Age of Ultron.

It makes sense that Captain America: The Winter Soldier would set up said events and not Guardians of the Galaxy. It’s been repeatedly stated that while Guardians is set in the same universe, it won’t have much to do with what’s going on with The Avengers themselves. Plus, with the rumors that Ultron was built by the government because of the events in New York at the end of The Avengers, it’s even possible we could see the other catalyst that will lead us to Age Of Ultron.

Other studios are mirroring Marvel Cinematic Universe by mapping out a plan for their respective Marvel properties. Fox has already laid out a map for the X-Men universe with the possibility of connecting it with their Fantastic Four universe. Sony has already announced that they would be releasing a number of spin-off films based on Spider-Man characters. And WB Studios signed Gal Gadot on for Batman Vs. Superman, a solo film, and Justice League.

Opening in theaters on April 4, 2014, Captain America: The Winter Solider stars Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Frank Grillo, Emily VanCamp, and more.

[Source: The Wrap]