MarvelBlog News for September 20th, 2021
This week, Marvel Studios provided some clarity about its upcoming theatrical releases. It’s a big deal, and we need to catch you up on a lot.
Here’s the latest MarvelBlog News for September 20th, which is Phase 4 and Phase 5 intensive.
The Upcoming Schedule
Before we go into detail, here are the two big takeaways. First, Marvel will release at least four movies per year in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
In 2023, the MCU will add five new titles for the first time ever. Also, please understand that these updates don’t even include the Disney+ shows.
Speculative 2023 MCU Phase 4 Release Schedule. Photo: Murphy’s Multiverse
Yes, the MCU has expanded mightily to the point that some fans have fretted about saturation. That’s ridiculous, though.
Marvel doesn’t make bad movies or TV shows. So, more is always better!
Photo: Marvel/Tumblr
Anyway, here’s what Marvel firmed up. In 2022, Marvel Studios will follow this schedule:
- Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness – March 25th
- Thor: Love and Thunder – May 6th
- Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – July 8th
- The Marvels – November 11th
Then, in 2023, we’ll get the following titles:
- Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania – 02/17
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 – 05/05
- Untitled Marvel Film – 07/28
- Untitled Marvel Film – 10/06
- Untitled Marvel Film – 11/10
Obviously, we’re not getting much insight into 60 percent of those titles.
MarvelBlog News for September 20th. Photo: Marvel Studios
The new dates come from 2024. Here’s what Disney just confirmed:
- Untitled Marvel Film – 02/16
- Untitled Marvel Film – 05/03
- Untitled Marvel Film – 07/26
- Untitled Marvel Film – 11/08
So, Marvel is keeping more secrets than a Cold War spy right now.
Ultimate Secrets by Mike Fichera, Madison Carter, Stuart Vandal, David Wiltfong, and Greg Land. Photo: Marvel
However, we CAN make some educated guesses based on previous Marvel announcements and rumors.
Filling in the Blanks
I’ve recently discussed the growing likelihood of Deadpool 3. In fact, recent comments from Ryan Reynolds suggest that he’s hard at work on the script.
To wit, many insiders believe that Deadpool 3 will start filming in 2022, which is, you know, only three months away.
Cable and Tiny ‘Pool. Photo: Inverse
Depending on when in 2022 principal photography occurs, it should have no problem finishing by 2024. In fact, a 2023 release remains a distinct possibility.
Similarly, Disney previously announced a Fantastic Four project. Now, we have no details on anything beyond the director.
Then again, that’s terrific news, as Jon Watts will helm the project. Yes, I mean the same Jon Watts who has directed Tom Holland’s Spider-Man movies.
Jon Watts. Photo: Chuck Zlotnick
Still, without any confirmed casting – Emily Blunt and John Krasinski have denied any involvement – this one seems a bit away. I’d guess it’s a 2024 release.
Then, we have the previously announced Blade reboot. This one’s in the opposite camp. It has an actor, the incredible Mahershala Ali.
We also know that it recently received a director, Bassam Tariq. So, progress could occur soon.
Bassam Tariq. Photo: Dawn
For now, I think this one is definitely one of those undefined titles. I just don’t know whether Marvel intends it for 2023 or 2024.
Another confirmed film is Captain America 4, the first one with Sam Wilson wielding the Shield. That production should be ready in 2023.
Photo: EW
That fills in four out of seven blanks. We can also at least partially check off the fifth box. Kevin Feige suggested that a Mutants, aka X-Men, movie is in the works.
I presume that the film will anchor the 2024 schedule. Due to the shroud of secrecy surrounding it, Marvel might be able to sneak it into 2023, though.
The Speculation
Now, we only have two remaining mystery films. And I suspect that they’re both Avengers titles.
The Marvels arrives in November of 2022. Disney executives have hinted that this is a superhero team-up akin to Captain America: Civil War.
MarvelBlog News for September 20th. Photo: Marvel
After a gap year in 2023, I suspect that 2024 will involve not one but two Avengers titles, one of them dark and the other light.
What I mean by that is that a Dark Avengers or possibly Thunderbolts film is on the horizon.
Countess Valentina Allegra de Fontaine will have had enough time by then to build her team.
Photo: Marvel Studios
No matter the name, this group will work as the goatee-sporting enemies of the Avengers.
Presumably, they’ll get a standalone movie first. Then, the new batch of Phase 4 Avengers will team up to defeat them in the next actual Avengers film.
Dark Avengers #9 by Brian Michael Bendis, Rain Beredo, Mike Deodato, and Cory Petit. Photo: Marvel Comics
I cannot confirm literally any of this beyond the fact that an evil superhero team is in the planning phase.
Also, we will obviously get another Avengers film at some point. The year 2024 makes the most sense. It’ll mark five years after Avengers: Endgame.
Photo: Marvel Studios
That’s enough time and distance that Marvel can avoid comparisons to one of the greatest action films of all time.
Marvel Miscellany
Let’s be honest that this big story this week involves a bunch of blank spots on a calendar.
As weird as this sounds, Marvel fanatics love anticipating the new stuff that its favorite company has yet to announce.
So, Marvel intentionally picked a slow news week for this reveal. Still, we did learn a few more interesting tidbits.
Photo: Heroic Hollywood
For starters, Frank Grillo said during an interview that his (dead) Marvel character, Crossbones, WILL still pop up in the MCU.
I presume that he means in What If…? episodes as well as potential Marvel Multiverse appearances. Who really knows with Marvel, though?
MarvelBlog News for September 20th. Photo: Disney+
Speaking of which, even a former Marvel lead actress doesn’t have any idea when she will appear again.
Krysten Ritter, one of this author’s favorite celebrities on the planet, just stated this:
"If there's ever an opportunity for me to put on those boots, I will be there in a flash."#Nightbooks star @Krystenritter says she would 'die' to play #JessicaJones again!
Read more here ➡️ https://t.co/JPJqT8VS8F pic.twitter.com/09DvIJGdiz— Screen Rant (@screenrant) September 14, 2021
That’s right. Ritter is being sincere and transparent here. However, her comments come with the side benefit of reminding Marvel of Ritter’s popularity.
If Black Widow and Captain Marvel get standalone movies, Jessica Jones absolutely should have one, too!
Legit one of the best show’s ever, Jessica Jones. Photo: Netflix/Marvel
PS: if you’ve never watched Jessica Jones, you’re legitimately missing out on one of the best shows of the past decade!
Meanwhile, the Venom: Let There Be Carnage marketing campaign has ramped up. Here’s some fun music in a tweet:
In TWO weeks, the universe is expanding in #Venom: Let There be Carnage, exclusively in movie theaters on October 1. 🎟: https://t.co/thOGY97pJR pic.twitter.com/GgOS8jkWyx
— #Venom: Let There Be Carnage (@VenomMovie) September 17, 2021
You gotta love that somebody created a character whose profile is just a gooey Spider-Man.
Finally, I take every word the man says with a grain of salt, but Mark Millar has indicated that a Marvel Zombies movie could be in the works.
Variant cover by Logan Lubera. Photo: Marvel
Frankly, I fully expect this to happen at some point, just not for several years.
If you watched the recent What If…? episode, you know that it’s a concept that works, though.
