As 2025 gets underway and Marvel Studios looks to begin production on two major pieces of the final phase of the Multiverse Saga in Avengers: Doomsday and Spider-Man 4, Kevin Feige and the Parliament must also continue to keep an eye on the future of the franchise. Though nobody is quite certain just what to expect from Avengers: Secret Wars in terms of the impact it will have on whatever the next Marvel saga is, rumors and reports of projects in development do provide some pieces of the puzzle.
With Michael Lesslie hard at work on a script for the first Marvel Studios-produced X-Men film, it is safe to say the next saga will have its fair share of mutant heroes and villains. And while most of the focus might fall on whatever version of Charles Xavier’s uncanny team of heroes make their way into the MCU, another project featuring the MCU’s first mutant also looks to be gaining traction.
According to Marvel insider Daniel Richtman, Marvel Studios’ D+ streaming series, Champions, is close to landing a showrunner and has begun locking in key cast members. Richtman reports that in addition to Iman Vellani and Hailee Steinfeld, who appeared together in a credit scene for The Marvels meant to tease Champions, Joe Locke, Dominique Thorne, Kathryn Newton and Xochitl Gomez have also joined the project. Though the report indicates that those six actors are the series’ leads, it does not indicate that other young heroes won’t join the project in supporting roles.
According to industry insider Daniel Richtman, following his appearance in Daredevil: Born Again, The Punisher will return to kill more people that need killing in his own Disney Plus streaming series.
It’s already been nearly five years since the second and final season of The Punisher debuted on Netflix and given the pace at which Marvel Television is now developing and producing streaming series, it may be another five before the next chapter in Frank’s story is told. With very few loose threads left hanging from the series’ two-season run on Netflix, it’ll be interesting to see which characters, if any, are brought back into the fold on D+ or if Marvel Television sets up Frank’s new story in Daredevil: Born Again and goes in an entirely different direction.
After a quiet year theatrically in 2024, Marvel Studios has three films scheduled for release in 2025, including its first February release since Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania. Finally taking center stage in a film, Anthony Mackie‘s Sam Wilson will take on Harrison Ford‘s ragey Red Hulk in Captain America: Brave New World, but despite being a serious threat, the President is only a puppet whose strings are being pulled by far more sinister baddie.
Sixteen years after the next chapter in his story was set up in The Incredible Hulk, Tim Blake Nelson‘s Samuel Sterns returns in Captain America: Brave New World as the nefarious, super-intelligent supervillain, The Leader. And while he’s been hidden in the shadows in all of the film’s marketing materials, a fantastic look at the character has been revealed via new promo art.
Notably, Nelson’s Leader is certainly sporting a subdued and noticably less macrocephalic look than his comic book counterpart, though the case could be made that his cranium could still double as a drive-in movie screen. He is, however, indeed green, so he’s got that going for him, which is nice.
Captain America: Brave New World and The Leader arrive in theaters on February 14th!
As was the case with Spider-Man: No Way Home, Marvel Studios and Sony’s next Spidey collab has been subject to an absurd amount of rumors and speculation ahead of its expected Summer 2025 start of production. With so many wild and wide-ranging reports making the rounds, it has become incredibly difficult to make sense out of what to actually expect from the film when it hits theaters in 2026. However, assuming the studios intended to follow the path upon which they set their hero at the end of No Way Home, some possibilities do make more sense than others.
One of the more realistic routes the film might take would be to follow Peter Parker’s new life in which his old friends no longer remember him and he transitions to a more traditional Spider-Man. It’s reasonable to assume that might include Parker enrolling in college, perhaps at Empire State University, where, in the comics, he met a whole new group of characters who played major roles in his life including Harry Osborn and Gwen Stacy. And now a new report from a trusted insider has people beginning to believe that the latter may be headed to the MCU in Spider-Man 4.
According to Daniel Richtman, Marvel is considering Furiosa: A Mad Max and The Queen’s Gambit star Anya Taylor-Joy for an unknown role in Spider-Man 4.
While some corners of social media are flocking toward speculation that the actress may be in the running for the role of Felicia Hardy/Black Cat, another intriguing possibility has also generated some by buzz as fans consider that Taylor-Joy would make for a pretty damn great Gwen Stacy.
Of course, it speaks to both the actresses range of talents and popularity that Taylor-Joy’s name would be associated with two very different characters, both of whom played integral roles in both parts of Pete’s life. While this would mark the third live-action iteration of Gwen (with Bryce Dallas Howard and Emma Stone each having portrayed the characters in Sony’s previous Spider-Man franchises), Hardy has really never been fully realized in a Spider-Man film.
Certainly should Taylor-Joy portray one or the other of the two characters, it would not necessarily mean the other would be ruled out of an appearance in the film. Previous rumors have circulated that Marvel was interested in Sydney Sweeney and a “Madelyn Cline-type” actress for a role in the film. Either of those stars could arguably fill the role of Felicia Hardy alongside Taylor-Joy as Gwen. At this point, even though trades will likely break casting news in the new year, it may be some time before the true nature of the new film, and the roles within in, becomes clear.
Spider-Man 4 is currently expected to swing into theaters on July 24th, 2026.
It’s not easy being Jean. Despite having an entire film dedicated to her in each of Fox’s X-Men in the original Fox trilogy and in the alternate timeline reboot that followed X-Men: Days of Future Past, it is resoundingly safe to say that we still haven’t gotten a solid live-action version of Jean Grey. An Omega-level telepath whose true upper limit to her power remains undefined, Grey was never given proper agency in either iteration and was reduced to a supporting character in both of Fox’s efforts to tell a classic comic book story in which she is the main character. Watch X-Men: The Last Stand and ask yourself, if as Logan kills Jean, if you feel worse for her or him.
To be fair, the problem isn’t unique to the Fox films. Outside of Chris Claremont‘s time writing her, Jean hasn’t always been treated much better in the pages of Marvel Comics. The fact remains, however, that as one of the five original members of Charles Xavier’s X-Men, Jean Grey–codename Marvel Girl–has always been and should always remain an integral part of the team’s story and should be at the center of any efforts to tell it. And as Marvel Studios prepares to put its spin on the uncanny team of mutant heroes, a new report indicates that its version will not only include Jean but also that one name has risen to the top of a list to portray the MCU’s version.
According to Jeff “The In” Sneider, Stranger Things and The Whale star Sadie Sink has emerged as the front runner to portray Jean Grey in the MCU.
Though it may seem a touch early for the studio to be on the lookout for one of the stars of their X-Men reboot, Sneider provided some additional context about Sink’s potential involvement. Despite Marvel Studios’ X-Men film still being in the scripting stages and not expected to be released during the Multiverse Saga, Sneider’s sources believe that the studio is keen on casting the role of Jean Grey now to allow the character to appear in either or both of its next two Avengers films, Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars.
Allowing important characters to debut in other properties before taking center stage in their own is a tactic Marvel Studios has employed to some success in the past. Both Black Panther and Spider-Man debuted in Captain America: Civil War ahead of starring in their own projects. Making the rumor more believable is that both Doomsday and Secret Wars are being directed by Joe and Anthony Russo who directed Civil War and who have, in the past, expressed a desire to be involved with the MCU’s X-Men. It could all be a coincidence, of course, and being a frontrunner is much different than being cast; however, it wouldn’t be surprising at all to see more mutants than just Jean–and more mutants than just the ones the studio plans to move forward with in the future–before the Multiverse Saga comes to a close.
It’s all connected. For a decade, that tagline defined the MCU to the extent that it used as the subtitle for the first Marvel Cinema Universe Guidebook. Fans fawned over every fragment of connectivity, theorizing which character might show up where and how each post-credit scene might set up the next big thing. However, as Marvel Studios moved into the Multiverse Saga and a new era of streaming their own series on Disney Plus, comfort turned into confusion with the rapid expansion of projects and characters.
There was a lot of pressure post-Avengers: Endgame on the public to feel obligated to watch absolutely everything in order to watch anything. Part of the rebranding was a signal to the general audience that we’re creating a lot of options, and you can follow your tastes within this brand. Some will be more comedic, some will be more dramatic, some will be animated, some will be live-action. Marvel is more than just one thing — it is actually many different genres that just happened to coexist in a single narrative.
Marvel’s head of streaming, television and animation, Brad Winderbaum, on the studio’s rebranding, May 2024
Now that some time has passed, now that we actually see how well-integrated the stories are, I personally, Brad Winderbaum, will confidently say that they are part of the Sacred Timeline.
-Brad Winderbaum
And while Winderbaum gave his stamp of approval to the canonicity of the Netflix series, he dodged, ducked, dipped, dove and dodged the issue of another fan-favorite series from the mid-2010s: Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. “I want to go down this road with you, you know I do, but we’re just gonna take a deep breath for a second,” said Winderbaum in an August 2024 interview with Screen Rant. Hardly a strong show of support for Phil Coulson and crew.
As one might expect, Winderbaum‘s comments weren’t warmly received by AoS fans; however, given his position at Marvel, he would certainly be the one to know…and four months later, it seems nothing has changed.
In a new interview with Screen Rant’s Joe Deckelmeier, Winderbaum was pressed once more about the canonicity of Marvel TV’s ABC shows and he hasn’t budged on his stance. When asked by Deckelmeier if Marvel TV’s Agent Carter, which ran for two seasons on ABC, was considered MCU canon, not only did Winderbaum refuse to confirm that it was but he also lumped it in with all of Marvel’s ABC shows.
“Well, I’ll tell you this, and put it to you like this. It’s exciting for me to think about how to square those ABC shows with the canon,” said Winderbaum, indicating that while he has thought about how to canonize Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Agent Carter and Inhumans, he hasn’t figured out how to do so just yet.”That, to me, if you know me and the way my brain works, that is fun territory to imagine,” confirming that for now, imagination is the only place in which those series should be considered canon.
While that’s made quite clear on Disney Plus, where those shows, along with a few others, can be found in an “Agents and Inhumans” category rather than in the “Complete MCU Timeline” category, fans of the series still find plenty of ways to make the events of the shows tie into the ongoing story of MCU. And at the end of the day, that’s just fine and what being a fan is all about.
Perhaps no Marvel Studios movie took hardcore fans for more of a ride before it was released than Spider-Man: No Way Home…and that madness may have already been surpassed by its sequel.
Following the events of Doomsday, Peter Parker is determined to lead a normal life and focus on college, stepping back from his responsibilities as Spider-Man. However, peace is short-lived when a deadly new threat emerges, endangering his promise. With stakes higher than ever, Peter reluctantly returns to his Spider-Man identity and finds himself teaming up with an unlikely ally to protect those he loves.
-Reported synopsis of Spider-Man: Brand New Day via Prodcution Weekly
Though the latest rumored synopsis for synopsis skirted the issue, the Brand New Day subtitle will certainly ring a bell with comic book readers as the follow up to the controversial One More Day arc that saw Peter Parker strike a deal with the devil. Now, a new report from a longtime Hollywood insider points the pitchfork at a potential appearance by that very devil…and another…in Spider-Man 4.
In a bit of a chaotic scoop, Jeff “The In” Sneider revealed that Sacha Baron Cohen‘s Mephisto, set to make his MCU debut in 2025 in Marvel Television’s Ironheart, may appear in Spider-Man 4…but that he also may not…but that it would be great if he did…but there’s no confirmation that he will. Sneider did, however, feel far more confident that Charlie Cox‘s Daredevil would indeed appear, though whether or not it would be as part of the rumored Devil’s Reign adaptation was not addressed.
While Sneider ‘s sources are mixed on an appearance by Mephisto, there’s no doubt that the state in which Parker’s life was left at the conclusion of Spider-Man: No Way Home would absolutely leave the door open for the Whisperer in Darkness to attempt to make one of his foul pacts. And, perhaps coincidentally, that would align with the rumored Spider-Man: Brand New Day synopsis. Pragmatically, it’s likely the rumor mill is only a quarter turn or so through its most frustrating rotation as fans should buckle in for another “are Garfield and Maguire in No Way Home” scenario.
Spider-Man 4 is set to begin filming next summer and is due in theaters on July 24, 2026.
Episode 1: What If…The Hulk Fought the Mech Avengers?
Captain America/Sam Wilson must suit up in a colossal mech suit to battle Bruce Banner after an attempt to cure himself of the Hulk goes horribly wrong. Bucky Barnes, Monica Rambeau, Moon Knight, and others must join Sam as his new team of Mech Avengers.
Episode 2: What If…Agatha Went to Hollywood?
Howard Stark may have helped the Allies win World War II…but what he really wants to do is direct! On the set of Stark Pictures’ first production, the playboy auteur quickly finds himself enchanted by his bewitching lead actress, Agatha Harkness. Little does she know there will be another superpower co-star on the call sheet…Kingo.
Episode 3: What If…The Red Guardian Stopped The Winter Soldier?
It is 1991, and the Red Guardian takes it upon himself to join a high-profile mission and prove himself to his Red Room superiors. When his antics interfere with the Winter Soldier’s own mission to kill Howard Stark, the two Soviet supersoldiers must form an alliance to escape the United States.
Episode 4: What If…Howard the Duck Got Hitched?
Howard the Duck and Darcy Lewis find themselves on an intergalactic pleasure cruise. When dangerous factions from across the galaxy descend to threaten their trip, they must discover their own cosmic powers to withstand the onslaught.
Episode 5: What If…The Emergence Destroyed the Earth?
In a Universe where The Eternals never stopped The Emergence, the birth of an incubating Celestial shatters the Earth. Civilization endures on the rocky remnants of our planet, where Quentin Beck leads an authoritarian regime until freedom fighters recruit Riri Williams on a deadly mission to take him down.
Episode 6: What If…1872?
In a universe where the heroes of the MCU live in the Old West, Shang-Chi and his pistol-packing partner, Kate Bishop, traverse the frontier, saving the innocent from the evils of The Hood.
Episode 7: What If…The Watcher Disappeared?
The Watcher must stand trial for his many interventions.
Episode 8: What If…What If?
The end of the beginning…
The third and final season of What If…? begins streaming daily episodes on December 22nd.
Released in 2018, Black Panther still stands as Marvel Studios’ third highest-grossing film with only Avengers: Endgame and Spider-Man: No Way Home having raked in more at the domestic box office. Six years later, it also remains the studio’s most critically acclaimed project and beloved by fans. Following the tragic death of its star, Chadwick Boseman, the franchise continued with Letitia Wright taking over as its lead in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Released into a different box office environment than its predecessor, Wakanda Forever, held together by a strong creative team, also did extremely well at the box office, taking in $453M domestically, placing it 8th on the MCU’s all-time list.
While writer and director Ryan Coogler undoubtedly stands as the driving force behind the Black Panther franchise, Marvel Parliament member and executive producer Nate Moore was also an integral piece of the team behind the scenes. Now, Moore–who produced seveb projects at Marvel Studios including the upcoming Captain America: Brave New World–is taking his career in a different direction but not without finishing what he started.
In statements released to the trades, Moore, along with Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige and Co-President Louis D’Esposito, revealed that while Moore is leaving the company, he will return to work with them in some capacity on Black Panther 3, marking the first confirmation from studio brass that the project is in development.
In 2022, still reeling from the emotions of moving ahead in the franchise without its star and close friend, Coogler explained that he had yet to figure out what was next for him, much less when he might be ready to tackle Black Panther 3. While Feige confirmed that he and Coogler had some “ideas pitched back and forth“, he made it very clear that while a new director could possibly take over the franchise, it was his strong preference to move forward with Coogler when he was ready. It seems as though that time is drawing near.
Nate is a fantastic executive and colleague as well as a wonderful friend to all of us here at Marvel Studios. He has been a core member of our team since 2010, and his influence will continue to reverberate in our storytelling. Although we’ll miss him a great deal, we look forward to watching what he does next while also having the good fortune of working with him in a new way on our next Black Panther movie.
“Nearly everything I know about producing I’ve learned from my time at Marvel Studios. I feel lucky to have worked with a group of people who love filmmaking and storytelling as much as my Marvel colleagues and the cast and crew of our films,” said Moore. “But I couldn’t be more excited to apply my experience and passion for film towards theatrical movies in all genres, including returning to the world of Wakanda for Black Panther 3.”
It’s unclear at this time if the third installment in the Black Panther franchise is far enough along in its development to be included in the Multiverse Saga (there are currently two Untitled Marvel Studios films scheduled for release in 2026) or if the studio would release the threequel as part of its next saga, which will begin in 2027.
Six years after Kevin Feige claimed that the Human Rocket had “immediate potential” to pop up in the MCU, Marvel Studios finally seems to be ready for Richard Rider to join the fray…a few years from now. First developed as a film with Moon Knight writer Sabir Pirzada working on the script in 2022, Nova was transitioned to television a year later and put on hold while the studio began restructuring its streaming plans. With a new roadmap in place, things started moving on Nova again earlier this year with an eye on a 2025 start of production. With the new year right around the corner, a new report has revealed that Marvel is indeed ready to launch Nova and has brought a veteran TV writer on board to lead the charge.
According to Jeff “The In” Sneider, Ed Bernero, who has over 25 years of television experience, has agreed to become the showrunner of Marvel Television’s Nova. Bernero, who created the NBC crime drama Third Watch and wrote more than two dozen episodes of Criminal Minds, is also expected to serve as a writer on the streaming project.
News of Bernero’s deal comes hot on the heels of a report that Nova would introduce the classic Marvel Comics’ villain Annihilus and pit the Bug-Lord against a young team of Nova Corpsmen. Given Bernero‘s background, which also includes Crossing Lines, a crime drama that focuses on an elite team of special investigators, it seems reasonable to assume that while Rider will be the series’ central figure, the other Corps members will feature prominently in the action. With Bernero just now signing on, the studio will begin assembling a writers room and start the casting process.
As only the third project to feature a true showrunner since the studio’s restructuring, there’s not enough data to accurately predict a timeline of events; however, taking a look at the timeline fromTerry Matalas‘ taking over as showrunner of the upcoming Vision series in May 2024 to its expected February 2025 start of production, it’s safe to say cameras won’t roll on Nova until the second half of 2025. With Marvel Studios actively seeking to reduce its streaming output, that likely means the series won’t hit Disney Plus until 2027 and may actually be part of the studio’s post-Multiverse Saga plans.
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