Marvel announces new phase of superhero movies including Doctor Strange, Black Panther, Captain Marvel and game-changing Avengers blockbuster

Superhero fans have an action-packed few years coming up after Marvel announced a slate of new movies leading up to 2019.

The comics giant has conquered the multiplex with its cast of colourful heroes and villains, and its new line-up will see the return of old favourites such as Iron Man, Thor and Captain America - as well as some intriguing new arrivals.

Doctor Strange, the Sorcerer Supreme, will get his own movie in 2016, it was announced at a fan event in Hollywood.

Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch has reportedly been cast as the mystic superhero, but Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige said he had not been confirmed for the role.

Fans can also look forward to Marvel's first films headlined by female and black superheroes - Captain Marvel and Black Panther, respectively.

While there have been multiple versions of Captain Marvel in the comic book universe, the most recent incarnation is the fictional character Carol Danvers, formerly Ms Marvel, a longtime Avenger.

Black Panther is T'Challa, the king of the fictional African nation of Wakanda, and is rumoured to be connected to the next Avengers film.

There was plenty more to take in at the fan event, including the confirmation of sequels for the Captain America, Thor and Guardians of the Galaxy franchises, as well as a two-part Avengers movie.

Captain America 3 will be titled Civil War, referring to a storyline in which the star-spangled Avengers leader goes head-to-head with former friend Iron Man over the US government's plan for a superhero register.

On-screen Iron Man Robert Downey Jr will star alongside lead actor Chris Evans in the film.

The third Thor movie is titled Ragnarok after the apocalyptic battle that ends the world in ancient Norse mythology.

The Avengers 3: Infinity War will be released in two parts.

It is speculated that the film will finally see the super-team take on Thanos, an interstellar villain in possession of the deadly Infinity Gauntlet.

Thanos had a cameo in a mid-credits scene in the first Avengers film, and featured in Guardians of the Galaxy, played by Josh Brolin.

Also announced was a film starring the Inhumans, a genetically altered race of super-people.

AVENGERS ASSEMBLE: MARVEL'S TIMELINE

May 1, 2015: Avengers: Age of Ultron

July 17, 2015: Ant-Man

May 6, 2016: Captain America: Civil War

November 6, 2016: Doctor Strange

May 5, 2017: Guardians of the Galaxy 2

November 3, 2017: Black Panther

July 28, 2018: Thor: Ragnarok

May 4, 2018: The Avengers: Infinity War - Part 1

July 6, 2018: Captain Marvel

November 2, 2018: Inhumans

2019: The Avengers: Infinity War - Part 2