We have all the latest updates on the MCU, ranging from ‘The Marvels’ to ‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings 2’
Following the immense success of Avengers: Endgame, Marvel Studios wrapped up The Infinity Saga, a 22-film series that left fans wondering if Marvel could replicate such magic in the future. At San Diego Comic-Con 2022, Kevin Feige introduced The Multiverse Saga, a new era in the Marvel Cinematic Universe that would span across multiple phases.
Feige unveiled the planned conclusion of Phase 4 and outlined the entire slate for Phase 5, offering a glimpse into Phase 6 as well. However, the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes have cast uncertainty over the schedule, as the films heavily depend on the labor of striking writers and actors.
As a result of the strikes, production on upcoming MCU movies that were yet to be filmed has been put on hold, and this may necessitate further adjustments in the release dates. Despite these challenges, we do have a comprehensive list of all the Marvel movies currently in development, along with confirmed cast and filming details. However, it is essential to acknowledge that these details may be subject to change as the situation evolves.
The Marvels
Release Date: November 10, 2023
Status: In post-production
Director: Nia DaCosta
Cast: Brie Larson, Iman Vellani, Teyonah Parris, Samuel L. Jackson, Zawe Ashton, and Park Seo-joon.
The upcoming Captain Marvel sequel, officially titled “The Marvels,” is set in the present-day, but the original directors, Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, will not be returning. Instead, Marvel has brought in Nia DaCosta, known for directing the Candyman remake, to take the director’s chair for this film.
The cast includes Iman Vellani, who will portray Ms. Marvel in her own Disney+ series, playing a supporting role in the movie. Additionally, Teyonah Parris will reprise her role as the adult Monica Rambeau, first introduced in the Disney+ series “WandaVision.” The film’s antagonist will be portrayed by Zawe Ashton.
Filming for “The Marvels” commenced in May 2021 and concluded in May 2022, with the production process spanning over a year to bring this highly anticipated sequel to life.
Deadpool 3
Release Date: May 3, 2024
Status: Filming Halted
Director: Shawn Levy
Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Morena Baccarin, Karan Soni, Rob Delaney, Emma Corrin, and Matthew Macfadyen
The much-awaited news is that Deadpool will officially be joining the MCU, and the franchise will retain its R-rating, as confirmed by Kevin Feige. In November 2020, it was revealed that Wendy Molyneux and Lizzie Molyneux-Logelin, along with Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick (who wrote the first two Deadpool movies), would be working on the screenplay for the sequel.
In March 2022, it was announced that Shawn Levy would be directing the film, having previously collaborated with Ryan Reynolds on projects like Free Guy and The Adam Project. Perhaps the most surprising aspect of this project is that Hugh Jackman has signed on to reprise his role as Wolverine, despite his character’s demise in Logan.
Both Jackman and Reynolds have assured fans that this delicate matter will be handled thoughtfully, but given their humor, who knows what to expect?
Emma Corrin, known for her role in The Crown, has joined the cast as an undisclosed villain, adding more excitement to the film. Additionally, Matthew Macfadyen’s role remains under wraps, further heightening anticipation for the upcoming Deadpool sequel.
Captain America: Brave New World
Release Date: July 26. 2024
Status: In Post-Production
Director: Julius Onah
Cast: Anthony Mackie, Harrison Ford, Danny Ramirez, Carl Lumbly, Shira Haas, Tim Blake Nelson, and Liv Tyler
Announced at San Diego Comic-Con 2022, “Captain America: Brave New World” is a continuation of the Captain America storyline, with Anthony Mackie taking on the lead role after his storyline in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Co-writing the script are Malcolm Spellman, the showrunner of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and Dalan Musson, a writer from the same series.
Harrison Ford joins the MCU as Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, following the passing of William Hurt. The film has found its director in Julius Onah, known for his work on movies like The Cloverfield Paradox and Luce. Filming for “Captain America: Brave New World” concluded on June 30, and the movie is currently in the post-production phase, building anticipation among fans for its release.
Thunderbolts
Release Date: December 20, 2024
Status: Production Halted
Director: Jake Schreier
Cast: Sebastian Stan, Hannah John-Kamen, Wyatt Russell, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Florence Pugh, David Harbour, Olga Kurylenko, and Harrison Ford
In June 2022, Marvel Studios began development on a movie that features a group of villainous types and anti-heroes coming together to undertake missions for the government, reminiscent of the “Suicide Squad” vibe.
Jake Schreier, known for directing “Paper Towns,” is attached as the director, and Eric Pearson, who worked on screenplays for “Thor: Ragnarok” and “Black Widow,” is penning the script.
The cast includes a star-studded lineup of characters from the MCU, such as Taskmaster portrayed by Olga Kurylenko, US Agent played by Wyatt Russell, Yelena Belova portrayed by Florence Pugh, and Sebastian Stan returning as The Winter Soldier.
However, work on the project, tentatively titled “Thunderbolts,” has been paused by Marvel Studios due to the ongoing industry strikes, which have had a significant impact on various film productions. Fans are eagerly awaiting updates on the movie’s progress once the labor issues are resolved.
Blade
Release Date: February 14, 2025
Status: Production Halted
Director: Yann Demange
Cast: Mahershala Ali
Marvel Studios made a surprise announcement at Comic-Con 2019, revealing that Oscar-winning actor Mahershala Ali would be the new Blade, but no further details were disclosed at the time. In July 2021, Bassam Tariq, the director of “Mogul Mowgli,” signed on to direct the film, with Stacy Osei-Kuffour penning the script.
However, both Tariq and Osei-Kuffour have since left the project, and Yann Demange is now set to direct, with Michael Starrbury as the new screenwriter.
Despite these changes, the film’s production has likely encountered obstacles due to the ongoing industry strikes, and it may face delays in filming. As of now, there are no concrete updates on the film’s progress, but fans are eagerly awaiting further announcements once the labor issues are resolved.
Fantastic Four
Release Date: May 2, 2025
Status: Production Halted
Director: Matt Shakman
Cast: TBA
Marvel Studios made an exciting announcement in December 2020, revealing that Jon Watts, known for directing the Spider-Man films, would be helming a new reboot of Fantastic Four to introduce the beloved characters into the MCU.
While viewers caught a glimpse of John Krasinski as Reed Richards in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, the casting for the 616 Reed Richards remains uncertain.
In April 2022, Jon Watts stepped down as director, but the eagerly anticipated film found a new director in Matt Shakman, known for his work on WandaVision. The movie is confirmed to be a part of Phase Six in the MCU, though the timeline between its initial announcement in 2019 and the expected release date leaves a significant gap.
As of now, details on the Fantastic Four reboot remain limited, leaving fans eagerly anticipating further updates and casting announcements as production progresses.
Avengers: The Kang Dynasty
Release Date: May 1, 2026
Status: Production Halted
Director: Destin Daniel Cretton
Cast: TBA
As of now, there is very little information available about “Avengers: The Kang Dynasty.” The title was announced during Comic-Con 2022 by Kevin Feige at the Marvel Studios Hall H panel. The only details revealed so far are the release date, scheduled for May 1, 2026, and the return of Shang-Chi director Destin Daniel Cretton as the director for the film.
Beyond this, no further information about the plot, cast, or other details has been made public. Fans are eagerly awaiting more updates and announcements as the project develops.
Avengers: Secret Wars
Release Date: May 7, 2027
Status: Production Halted
Director: TBA
Cast: TBA
As of now, the information available about “Avengers: Secret Wars” is even scarcer than what we know about “The Kang Dynasty.” Based on the comics run of Secret Wars, it is expected that the film will involve characters like Doctor Doom and the Fantastic Four, along with the lead-up from Phase Five movies that set the stage for the Incursions,
which are central to Secret Wars. Other potential characters that might be involved include Doctor Strange, Peter Parker, Carol Danvers, The Mighty Thor, Star-Lord, Cyclops with the Phoenix Force, Black Panther, Reed Richards, and characters from the Ultimate Universe Marvel, such as Miles Morales.
The movie is likely to be a significant culmination of various storylines, and there is ample time between “The Kang Dynasty” and “Avengers: Secret Wars” for more significant revelations and surprises.
Given how far away the release of “Avengers: Secret Wars” is, the possibilities for the film’s plot and character involvement seem endless, and fans can expect numerous exciting developments leading up to its release.
Armor Wars
Release Date: TBA
Status: TBA
Director: TBA
Cast: Don Cheadle and Walton Goggins
“Armor Wars,” originally planned as a Disney+ series, has been reworked into a feature film, as revealed almost two years after its initial announcement.
The movie will bring back Don Cheadle in the role of James Rhodes/War Machine, who must confront the challenge of Tony Stark’s technology falling into the wrong hands. Yassir Lester, known for his work on shows like Girls and Black Monday, has been hired as the head writer for the project and remains part of the team despite the transition from series to film.
Joining Don Cheadle in the cast is Walton Goggins, who will reprise his role as Sonny Burch from “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.” Filming is expected to commence in 2023, although the release date for the film and the return of Rhodey on the big screen are still unknown.
Fans are eager to see how the storyline unfolds and how War Machine deals with the repercussions of Tony Stark’s technology being misused.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings 2
Release Date: TBA
Phase Unknown
Status: In development
Director: Destin Daniel Cretton
Cast: Simu Liu
The sequel to “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” was officially announced in December 2021, with director Destin Daniel Cretton returning to helm the film and also serving as the writer.
While the plot details are scarce, it is suggested from the post-credits scene in the first movie that the sequel might explore the origin of Shang-Chi’s father’s Ten Rings organization.
Simu Liu will reprise his role as Shang-Chi, the titular character, in the sequel. Though not officially confirmed, it is likely that Meng’er Zhang will also return as Xu Xialing, now the new leader of the Ten Rings organization, considering her significant role in the first film.
As the project develops, fans eagerly await more information and updates about the storyline and the direction the sequel will take Shang-Chi’s character.
Untitled Mutant-Centered Film
Release Date: TBA
Phase Unknown
Status: ???
Director: TBA
Cast: TBA
In 2019, Kevin Feige announced that Marvel Studios was working on a mutant-centered film featuring the X-Men, promising a different approach from what audiences had seen in the previous 20th Century Fox adaptations. However, after the pandemic hit, Marvel remained relatively quiet about further details on this project.
The recent conclusion of the Ms. Marvel series hinted that Kamala Khan, the titular character, might be depicted as a mutant in the MCU, unlike her comic book origin as an Inhuman. This revelation has led to speculation that one of the movies in Phase Six of the MCU could potentially be a mutant-centered film.
Although specific details remain undisclosed, fans are hopeful that Marvel will eventually deliver on its promise of introducing the X-Men and mutants in a fresh and distinctive manner, adding another layer of excitement to the ever-expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe.
