Tag: Marvel Movies

Deep Thoughts: Hypothetical Marvel Studios 2024 Release Calendar, V1

With so much uncertainty remaining about exactly when which projects will stream in 2022, and only some known quantities for 2023, it would be crazy to start thinking about 2024. Without further delay, here’s a look at what Marvel Studios’ 2024 release slate COULD be.

Marvel Studios has not acknowledged the existence of this Hulk project; however, KC Walsh broke the news publicly in October of 2021, supporting information shared with Murphy’s Multiverse 3 months prior. While it seems like a safe bet to be the first 2024 film, given Walsh’s info that it will film in late-2022, all that can be done now is to make a wild prediction that it’ll land here.

As discussed at length here, Charlie Cox is going to be included in a lot of Marvel Studios projects over the next several years. It’s been great for Cox to take off the gloves lately and start discussing his future more and more and, as recent reports have indicated, a Daredevil solo project is among those. At the moment, it looks like that one could go into production as soon as late 2022 or early 2023, but with an already packed 2023, it’s reasonable to expect Daredevil hits Disney Plus in 2024.

The news that Shawn Levy had signed on to take the wheel for Deadpool 3 and the lack of news about other theatrical projects put this one firmly on the board for 2024. Fans are rightly curious about exactly what to expect from this film, but with the writers from the first two films getting a pass at the script, a steady flow of dick jokes is probably on the menu.

While the title of this series is up in the air, from a simple Okoye to a more indicative Midnight Angels, it’s expected that it will spin directly out of the events of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and possibly focus on not only Okoye but also a group of elite Dora Milaje warriors on a VERY special mission. Ryan Coogler has created expansive mythology connected to Wakanda and this series should explore more of that while setting up the future of the franchise.

At one point, this film was on the docket to film in 2021. Recently, Murphy’s Multiverse was informed that production was officially postponed until 2023, putting it among the top contenders for a 2024 release. Thematically, Cap 4 could tie into a number of Marvel Studios projects, including Armor Wars and the Okoye-centric series. Could this be the beginning of a New Avengers team in the MCU?

2024 is the 60th anniversary of Wanda’s first appearance, so what better time for her first solo project to debut? Recent rumors of a solo project The Scarlet Witch seem to be supported by multiple sources and word of a 2023 start of production has reached our ears. A Fall release would align the series with the Autumnal Equinox, one of several major celebrations for Wiccans. Let’s put it here for now.

A late-2023 start of production for this one falls in line with more than a decade’s worth of data that indicates Marvel Studios likes to give creatives a 2-year window from green light to film. Destin Daniel Cretton, who helmed Marvel Studios’ best origin story since Black Panther, is back for the sequel and should benefit from Simu Liu’s Shang-Chi dropping in here and there in between films.

Discussed a couple of times in the most recent 2023 hypothetical calendar, the ability for Marvel to synergistically link theatrical releases to streaming series is a powerful marketing tool. With that tool in the toolbox, a beautiful bridge could be built from Shang-Chi 2 to a Xialing-centric The Ten Rings series. Could the two projects blow open the door for some other hidden cities to enter the MCU?

Note: The latest version of our hypothetical 2023 calendar can be found right here.

March 19, 2022
First ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ Set Photos Offer First Look at Pom Klementieff and Dave Bautista

It looks like we finally got a look at the returning Guardians from the set of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. While we don’t see anything of the actual set, we do get a look at Pom Klementieff‘s return as Mantis and Dave Bautista‘s Drax. We don’t get a good look at Mantis’ design for the threequel, but it looks like Drax has finally accepted that he should wear a jacket. Of course, it could just be something he is wearing on his way to the set, but who knows what kind of trouble they are getting into that he’ll take the risk and put it on.

https://twitter.com/guardiansupdate/status/1504923133584814080

There have been a lot of hints that the Guardians as we know it will disband after the events of this film, especially with it being James Gunn swansong in the MCU before focusing more on his DC projects. We know very little about what the future has in store for this team, or even if any of these characters will exit the film alive. Bautista has also kind of hinted at his interest in moving on after the next film, even if he seemed to enjoy his time with Marvel. It’s not uncommon that some of the actors are open to leaving the franchise behind after enough time.

There’s sadly not much to take away from these photos, but it’s great to know that production is still underway. Gunn has been cheekily sharing teases of Rick and Morty figurines showing up on his workspace. It almost seemed like he’s building up to something, but has been mostly just having fun sharing the fact that he’s still busy working on the film. He’s always been one of the more active users of Social media and we’ll see if he’ll share something from the set.

Source: Twitter

March 18, 2022
Samuel L. Jackson Says Nick Fury Will Return for ‘Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania’

With so many Marvel projects in the works, it is easy to lose track of where some characters are in the universe and when we might see them reappear in the future. Case in point, all eyes have been on Samuel L. Jackson reprising his role as Nick Fury in the upcoming Disney+ series Secret Invasion. Given his conenction to Captain Marvel, it is no surprise that we are expecting to see Fury return in The Marvels as well.

In a recent appearance on the Happy Sad Confused project, Jackson mentioned his role in both Secret Invasion and The Marvels, but he also appeared to confirm that Nick Fury will return yet again in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania:

It used to take a while to make a movie. It still kind of does, but people make about two or three of them at the same time. In the Marvel universe, it’s crazy. When I was in London just now, there was Ant-Man and Captain Marvel 2 was happening and we were getting ready to do Secret Invasion. So it was like three Marvel movies on one lot. So I was kinda running around from place to place.
Samuel L. Jackson

Fury has been a staple of the MCU since its very first post-credits scene in Iron Man, so it is encouraging to see him as a mainstay in 2023, which will feature both The Marvels and Quantumania, and likely Secret Invasion as well.

Not much is officially known about Quantumania yet, though recent set photos have shown a bit of Paul Rudd’s Scott Lang. With Jonathan Majors’ Kang the Conquerer as the Villain and the Quantum Realm a major focus, the third Ant-Man film will likely get pretty wild. That makes Fury’s inclusion in the film so much more interesting considering he is generally a very grounded character. How his Skrull connections and Secret Wars arc will play into the greater MCU is an even larger question now than it was before. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is expected to hit theaters on July 28, 2023.

Source: Happy Sad Confused via ComingSoon

March 17, 2022
Rachel McAdams Teases “Unexpected Conclusions” in ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’

As the press has been going strong with only a few more weeks to go before Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is released in cinemas, we’ve heard quite a bit from the usual suspects. Kevin Feige teased some Evil Dead elements in the film, Benedict Cumberbatch talked about Strange’s development, and Patrick Stewart was questioned on that iconic voice drop in the last trailer. Now, it’s Rachel McAdam‘s turn as she gets to tease her return as Christine Palmer in the upcoming sequel. One highlight for her is that she was able to do more than just wear scrubs, as she highlights that she “was certainly a part of things I’ve never seen on screen.”

She also goes on to highlight just how crazy the upcoming multiverse storyline is going to be. As a follow-up to the new things she’s done on screen, she also teases the crazy events that will unfold and promises that there will be some “very unexpected conclusions” for the film. The highlight for an alternate reality also sounds like we might see many different versions of Palmer.

There are some very bold ideas, and some extraordinary tests of Strange and encounters. There are some very unexpected conclusions. It’s fascinating to explore what would happen if there was an alternate reality that you could visit and all the mess that might ensue.
Rachel McAdams

In a way, she might be hinting at the ongoing relationship that Palmer and Strange have throughout the multiverse. In What If…? we learn that her death was a fixed point in that specific timeline, but it almost seems like them never being together is a much stronger definite in the multiverse. Who knows how their relationship in this reality might end up if things continue down this path of madness.

Source: Empire via The Direct

March 17, 2022
Kevin Feige Promises ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ Will Make “‘Evil Dead 2’ Fans Happy”

For quite some time, we’ve gotten teases that Sam Raimi‘s next film, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, will feature Bruce Campbell in some capacity. While he teased that it might be quite bigger than we initially expected, any return of his would’ve been treated with open arms as see they continue their tradition. It looks like there will be quite a bit more callbacks to Raimi and Campbell‘s filmography, as in an interview with Empire, Marvel Studios CEO Kevin Feige teased that fans of Evil Dead II will be “very happy” with the upcoming film.

This action is cool – you’re competing with Avengers and Spider-Man, no problem – but don’t forget the Sam Raimi parts.’ You will see just how Sam Raimi it is, in ways that will make fans of Evil Dead II very happy.
Kevin Feige

Feige goes on to highlight that they wanted to ensure the director’s signature style remains intact as he jumps into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Perhaps it is in reference to the zombified version that we briefly see in the ending of the previous trailer. Who knows if it’s generally going to act as a reference to the Deadites, but Campbell appearing as Ash Williams would be a treat, especially for fans of the crossover Marvel Zombies comic. Whatever it might end up being, we’ll see if there are more references

Source: Empire

March 17, 2022
Sydney Sweeney Further Hints at Marvel Studios’ Involvement With ‘Madame Web’

It looks like history is set to repeat, as right after Sydney Sweeney was cast in a co-starring role for Sony’s upcoming Madame Web film, she took to Instagram to share her casting. The thing that stands out is the fact that she not only tagged Sony and Dakota Johnson in the picture but also Marvel Studios. In a way, it seemingly might build up a connection that they are involved with the project.

The curious aspect is that Johnson did the exact same shortly after her casting. With their involvement with the latest Spider-Man trilogy and hints that Olivia Wilde‘s upcoming adaptation of Spider-Woman may also be set in the MCU, the tag does add some potential to them taking on a more active role in Sony’s expanded universe moving forward.

Their involvement and Web’s potential multiversal connection could be a hint at how they can further expand this franchise without any continuity issues. The question is also who Sweeney might be playing, especially if she is co-starring alongside Dakota as Web. She’s been quite popular for a variety of Spider-Man characters, most notably Gwen Stacy and Black Cat. We’ll see if we get a clearer picture in the near future.

Source: Instagram

March 16, 2022
Madame Web Will Be Sony’s Spider-Man Universe’s Doctor Strange

Sony is still moving forward with their expanded universe that is building around Spider-Man rather than using him as a jumping-off point. The news just broke that Euphoria‘s breakout star Sydney Sweeny was joining the project in an unnamed role. Yet, there was another big reveal hidden away, as it seems that they have big plans for Dakota Johnson‘s Madame Web. According to Deadline, she will be Sony’s equivalent to Doctor Strange due to her psychic sensory powers.

Strange has previously appeared in Spider-Man: No Way Home and it may have sparked the idea to explore some magical-based storytelling in their own universe. Plus, his upcoming adventure through the multiverse may have also made the easy connection. It does make you wonder if Multiverse of Madness also has him temporarily landing in this alternative cinematic universe to meet her before venturing on. Web could be a Variant of Strange if they want to make a loose connection.

Of course, there’s still the question of what Spider-Man might become the focus of this spinoff universe, as they now have three to choose from. At first, many thought Tom Holland might end up lost in this new universe but he remained in the MCU even as everyone forgot who he is. We’ll have to see what the future has in store for him and this new universe.

Source: Deadline

March 16, 2022
‘Euphoria’s Sydney Sweeney Joins Dakota Johnson-Led ‘Madame Web’

Sony is moving full force with their upcoming Madame Web film, as it seems they’ve now added Euphoria‘s Sydney Sweeny to star alongside Dakota Johnson in the Spider-Man spinoff. The film will be directed by S.J. Clarkson based on a screenplay by Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless. Kerem Sanga had worked on a previous draft. As you might guess, her role is still kept under wraps and the only thing we know is that she’ll be a co-star alongside Johnson.

It’s quite the big get for Sony, as she is hot off HBO’s second-most show just behind Game of Thrones. Sweeny also was quite the focus in the latest season, which put her on many studios’ top lists. She’s been quite the popular fan cast for various Spider-Man roles, but I doubt anyone expected her to join Sony’s universe as most had their money on Marvel studios trying to nab her for an upcoming project.

Still, it seems that the opportunity to work with Johnson was what inspired her decision. Plus, it’ll be the first female-centric film from the Spider-Man spinoffs, which could also be quite the draw. It’ll be interesting to see if other familiar faces from across the Spider-Verse make an appearance given Madame Web’s abilities. Perhaps they are using this as a jumping-off point for a live-action adaptation of the popular comic by the same name.

Source: Deadline

March 16, 2022
Doctor Strange Isn’t an Avenger in the MCU

Here’s an interesting revelation. After the events of Avengers: Endgame, it seemed like so many have become members of the organization. We still never found out what exactly happened to the organization given that everyone only talks about it in the past tense. While a new generation seems to be brewing, Benedict Cumberbatch has shared his thoughts on where Doctor Strange lies when it comes to being a member of the Avengers.

He’s fine with aligning himself with creatures and spirits and everything else that’s thrown at him and that’s why he can be a slight outsider as an Avenger. People say that you were in the Avengers, but you’re not an Avenger, right? No, I’m not. I’m not at Stark Tower with Nick Fury. No, he’s sort of outside of that realm, but I don’t think that’s necessarily a character trait. I think that is just a job title. He’s there to protect the reality of the Avengers in a different way to what they have been fighting up until the point that everything collides in the last two Avengers movies, so he holds his position as an adult on the periphery of that, but I think only for so long.
Benedict Cumberbatch

While an Avenger doesn’t necessarily have to live in Stark Tower–especially with how little we know who took over the tower–but he makes a good point. Avengers are part of a team with it being like a job title. Unlike Spidey, he never was announced or accepted the role of an Avenger. He just showed up in Infinity War and Endgame to help out, especially the former because Banner just happened to drop into the Sanctum Sanctorum. So, while he’s appeared in the films, he still works independently from them. Though he may wish they’d come to help him as he explores a Multiverse of Madness.

Source: KCRW

March 16, 2022
Deep Thoughts: Hypothetical Marvel Studios 2023 Release Calendar, V3

The future slate of Marvel Studios is more fluid now than it’s ever been. With the industry STILL being impacted by COVID to some degree, a backlog of projects that could be shuffled in and out of any date at any time, and the interesting lack of a 2022 press preview kit from Disney, fans are left frivolously hypothesize, predict and speculate when to expect their most anticipated MCU projects. And we’re here to help you with your favorite addiction. This isn’t our first attempt to pin down 2023’s projects; you can check out V1 here and V2 here to compare notes.

As much as everybody wants to see the Samuel L. Jackson/Nicky Fury-led Secret Invasion, the 2022 schedule seems to be complete without it. While we still don’t know very much about the plot of either Secret Invasion or The Marvels, it does seem like the two could share some sort of narrative bridge that would be well-served by them debuting relatively close to one another.

By the time The Marvels hits theaters, it will have been in the can for nearly a year and a half. That’s part of the backlog of projects created by the pandemic, which really changed the well-established production paradigm that Marvel Studios had followed for well over a decade. That means a lot of time to breathe for the characters in between appearances which creates a lot of anticipation…and you know Marvel Studios likes that.

After a little bit of a delay to the start of its production, Echo looks like it’ll be up and running in Georgia in April of 2022 and permits have been filed around Atlanta for the month of May. Given the “grounded” nature of Maya and the types of characters being cast in supporting roles, it doesn’t sound like this one is going to be a VFX showcase, so it should be ready to stream on Disney Plus in March of 2023. Of course, the question on fans’ minds is how much will Daredevil and Kingpin be involved and how might this series dovetail into the Daredevil solo project in development at Marvel Studios. Here’s to hoping Maya remains the focus of this series as there’s plenty of room for Daredevil to explore on his own.

At some point in the first half of 2023, Ahsoka, a highly-anticipated, live-action Star Wars streaming series, will hit Disney Plus. We now know that Disney Plus is not opposed to streaming live-action Star Wars and Marvel Studios’ projects simultaneously, but if Ahsoka rolls out sometime in early May, X-Men ’97, which is on track for a 2023 release, could stream concurrently with that and fill the Marvel Studios streaming void until June, leaving some live-action stuff for later in the year.

James Gunn’s third Guardians’ film might well be his last Marvel Studios’ project. By the time this comes out, it’ll have been over a decade since Gunn started work on Guardians of the Galaxy and as we’ve seen through his recent work on The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker, he’s really on top of his game. This one sounds like it’ll be something really special and emotional, with Gunn saying goodbye not only to Marvel but to some characters he’s really grown to love.

With the production of Season 2 of Loki on track to begin in June of 2022, it should be ready to roll out in June of 2023. While it isn’t clear whether or not Secret Invasion provides a direct runway to the events of The Marvels, it seems VERY clear that Loki Season 2 and Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania share a narrative canvas and that the former can easily hand off a storyline to the latter.

2023 could end up being the Summer of Kang. Jonathan Majors thrilled audiences with a tease of what to expect when the character returns, and it looks like when he does it’ll be a much heavier dose. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania will feature some version(s) of the character fresh off of what’s expected to be a major role in Season 2 of Loki. Of course, Kang’s not the only villain fans can look forward to, as M.O.D.O.K. is also reportedly making his live-action debut, played by Corey Stoll. Should the schedule fall this way, it would represent a great example of the type of synergy Marvel Studios can pull off thanks to a parent company that has its own streaming service and total control over the release schedule.

While a lot of fans are expecting this to be tied into Armor Wars, all the early evidence suggests it is essentially a follow-up to Riri Williams adventures in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. That’s not to say that Riri might not show up in Armor Wars or that the events of Ironheart might not lead into the Don Cheadle-led streamer, in fact it would make a lot of sense if she did, but Riri will be busy enough on her own following her huge role in Wakanda Forever.

When V2 of the 2023 Hypothetical Calendar was published, Agatha: House of Harkness had only just been revealed by the trades a few days before and the official Disney Plus Day announcement was about a week away. Now, it really does look like it could make the 2023 release slate given the tentative October 2022 start of production. It seems like the perfect Spooky Season release for Marvel Studios, so slotting it here seems a no-brainer.

After a couple of production delays, Blade is looking at a Fall 2022 start of principal photography, which makes it the best candidate for the currently unfilled November 3, 2023 release date, especially with production on Captain America 4 officially delayed until 2023. It doesn’t hurt, of course, that it’ll come out right around Halloween and feature a vampire hunter, and it wouldn’t be entirely surprising to see this date slide back a week earlier where nothing major is currently scheduled for any studio.

Armor Wars, like Agatha: House of Harkness, is on track for a late-2022 start of production. While a 2023 debut is by no means set in stone for Armor Wars, there is a nice end-of-the-year window for it, should it be completed and ready to stream. We know very little about the project, but Kevin Feige seems to enjoy playing with the idea of having some streaming series thematically tied to the seasons in which they are released, so maybe, like Hawkeye, Armor Wars could be set during the holidays. After all, is there any better present than Stilt-Man?

March 16, 2022