Will the Marvel Cinematic Universe ever ... end? | EW.com 

Why Is Everybody Angry in 'Captain America: Civil War'?

Exclusive Look Inside the 'Captain America: Civil War' Showdown

Who killed Constable Zuvio? A true-life 'Star Wars' mystery – solved!

Will the Marvel Cinematic Universe ever end? Maybe. But probably our own universe will collapse on itself first.

Kevin Feige, the mastermind behind Marvel Studios’ interlocked series of movies, says there is no end in sight for the MCU – although it may take a different form after Phase Three.

“I think you look at comics as a guide,” Feige tells EW. Although certain titles may get relaunched or rebooted, the narrative exists on a never-ending continuum.

“I think there will be a finality to moments of Phase Three, as well as new beginnings that will mark a different, a

different, a distinctively different chapter in what will someday be a complete first saga made up of three phases,” Feige said.

, which opens next month, is now the 13th movie in the series, and the universe has gotten to the point where a fresh twist was necessary, its filmmakers say. Instead of the usual good-guy/bad-guy conflict, this one pits hero against hero as Cap and Iron Man throw punches over who has power over the superpowered.

“Things always get deconstructed, right?” says Joe Russo, who directs

with his brother, Anthony. (The two are also the filmmaking force behind 2018 and 2019’s

double feature.) “You build things up and people enjoy the experiences you’ve built up. But then you kind of reach an apex or you reach a climax, a moment where you go, ‘This structure is really going to start to be repetitious if we do this again, so what do we do now?’ So now, you deconstruct it. We’re in the deconstruction phase with

It’s no accident that the next movies in the Marvel Studios line-up –

. “That’s somewhat intentional to go and explore the other aspects [of the universe],” Feige says.

Phase Four line-up is currently wide open, although a third

movie is considered a likely option. Other possibilities include sequels to

, which will all have their first stand-alone features released in Phase Three.

Although he left it vague, that could be what Feige means when he says the universe will become “distinctly different.” The same interlocked narrative will continue, but different heroes will be at the fore.

Speaking of linked universes, check out EW’s four

, pick up the new issue of Entertainment Weekly, on newsstands now, or buy it here – and subscribe now for more exclusive interviews and photos, only in EW.

For more Marvel news, into eternity, follow @Breznican.

\'The Originals\': Julie Plec takes you inside the Lucien-Klaus fight scene

\'Star Wars\': J.J. Abrams clarifies comments on Rey’s parents

\'Vampire Diaries\' boss blogs that touching farewell

\'People v O.J. Simpson\' star joins Tom Cruise\'s \'Mummy\' reboot

Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart eyeing \'Jumanji\' reboot

Prince \'fine\' after reported emergency jet landing

Tribeca Film Festival 2016: Exclusive Portrait Photos

Why Is Everybody Angry in \'Captain America: Civil War\'?

Exclusive Look Inside the \'Captain America: Civil War\' Showdown