There are presently ten films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), an American series of superhero films that has been in production since 2007. Produced by Marvel Studios and based on characters that appear in publications by Marvel Comics, the series has collectively grossed over $6.3 billion at the global box office, making it the second highest-grossing film franchise, behind Harry Potter. Kevin Feige (pictured) has served as a producer for every MCU film, beginning with 2008's Iron Man and continuing through the series' most recent release, Guardians of the Galaxy in 2014. The films are written and directed by a variety of individuals and feature large, often ensemble, casts. Many of the actors, including Robert Downey, Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans and Samuel L. Jackson, signed contracts to star in numerous films. Five more films have been announced, including Avengers: Age of Ultron, the next film scheduled for release, with release dates for a further six films announced through 2019. (Full list...)