‘Marvel Studios: Assembling A Universe’ Recap: What We Learned from ‘The Winter Soldier,’ ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ and Phase 3!

Marvel's 'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.' took a break from its usual Tuesday airing to bring us 'Marvel Studios: Assembling a Universe,' ABC's TV special recounting the tale of the comic movie studio's journey through the first 'Iron Man' to the impending 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier' and beyond! Want to know what we saw from the future of 'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,' 'Guardians of the Galaxy, 'The Avengers: Age of Ultron,' 'Ant-Man' and the rest of Phase 3?

While it's true that much of the 'Assembling a Universe' special highlighted the past, including interviews with our favorite Marvel stars and creative minds as it recounted journeys through multiple Comic-Cons and the seven films we've seen to date, fans were eager to get a look at the newest offerings from Phases 2 and 3. We did get a look through the One-Shot short films, including Hayley Atwell's 'Agent Carter' (keeping mum about a series, gr) and Ben Kingsley's 'All Hail the King,' though the One-Shot investigation largely served to set up discussion of 'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.'

In that regard, we were only afforded the briefest glimpses of upcoming episodes, including J. August Richards' new Deathlok ensemble and 'Heroes' star Adrian Pasdar's debut as traditional 'Hulk' antagonist Colonel Glenn Talbot. As for 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier,' we've already seen enough content from the dozens of photos, trailers and clips to feel a tad over saturated, though it certainly helped for producers like Kevin Feige and Louis D'Esposito to identify its 'Cap' sequel as having the most connective tissue to the 'Avengers' movies yet, as Steve Rogers couldn't return home the way Tony Stark or Thor did in the wake of their team-up.

Along with behind-the-scenes looks and some pretty in-depth investigation of the titular Winter Soldier, we got a brief extension of scenes between Captain America and Nick Fury, who ominously warns Cap, "S.H.I.E.L.D. takes the world as it is, not as we'd like it to be. It's gettin' damn-near past time for you to get with that program, Cap." Retorts Rogers, "Don't hold your breath." We also get some of the expected insight into Sam Wilson's (The Falcon's) past, and Cap's ongoing relationship with Scarlett Johannson's Black Widow.

So, what of 'Guardians of the Galaxy,' Marvel's darkest horse to date? We didn't get any actual new footage beyond what we saw from the first trailer, though the ample behind-the-scenes showed off our first look at Glenn Close's Nova Prime, as well as a few quick glimpses of Lee Pace's Ronan the Accuser, all of which we've included below:

No new footage of Bradley Cooper voicing Rocket Raccoon, nor do we get a chance to hear Vin Diesel saying the iconic "I AM GROOT," though we at least hear the gravelly 'Fast and Furious' franchise star say, "the growth of these characters allows for the film to create its own personality and its own identity. That's always fun, when you're at the frontier of something new." Oh, and need we say it? Gamora vs. Nebula = Badass.

The closing moments of 'Marvel Studios: Assembling a Universe' also teased comic designs of Quicksliver, the Scarlet Witch and Hank Pym's Giant Man, interspersing a few shots of Edgar Wright at work on 'Ant-Man,' along with some of the test footage fans have been lucky enough to see of the character in action.

There will be plenty more from the major Marvel movies in the weeks to come, particularly as we near the release of 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier,' but in the meantime, what do you think? Has Marvel's cinematic monopoly grown to its greatest heights yet, or is the best yet to come?

Check out clips from tonight's 'Assembling a Universe' special below, and tell us what you want to see from future cinematic offerings in the comments!