The Marvel showcase during this year’s San Diego Comic-Con pulled no punches. They detailed some of their plans over the next 4 years, both theatrically and on Disney+. While they didn’t show everything (D23 Expo) the audience now has a more precise roadmap of the overall cinematic plan.
THE MULTIVERSE SAGA
Kevin Fiege announced that Phases 4, 5, and 6 will be united together under the banner entitled ‘The Multiverse Saga’. If you remember, Phases 1, 2, and 3 were united as ‘The Infinity Saga’. What will phases 7, 8, and 9 be called? We’ll get into that later. For now, here is the current calendar.
FROM JULY TO DECEMBER, 2022
SHE-HULK: ATTORNEY AT LAW – August 17th
Disney premiered a new trailer for the next story to hit Disney+. She-Hulk follows paralegal Jessica Walters and her newfound uncontrollable hulk powers. Who will mentor her? Bruce Banner. This series will also feature a returning hero to the mix, Daredevil.
BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER – November 11th
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will officially end Marvel’s Phase 4. This movie has a lot to accomplish and a lot to overcome. But if the first teaser is any inclination of where the film is headed, then the worries may be washed away.
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY: HOLIDAY SPECIAL – Dec.
After the weight of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Marvel will air the Guardians Of The Galaxy: Holiday Special on Disney+ this December. This special will act as a palette cleanser. A special adventure featuring everyone’s favorite abrasive family on an isolated adventure. The perfect end before the chaos of Phase 5 begins.
FROM JANUARY TO JUNE 2023
ANT-MAN & THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA – February 17th
The third Ant-Man film kicks off Phase 5 with a dive into what the Multiverse Saga is really about. Scott Lang is back with his daughter and life is good, until Kang the Conqueror (portrayed by Jonathan Majors) arrives. Kang will become one of, if not the essential villain of The Multiverse Saga.
SECRET INVASION – Spring
Secret Invasion is a crossover series coming to Disney+ that is set to show a world in which a faction of shapeshifting Skrulls (first seen in Captain Marvel) have infiltrated the world. What if your best friend of 7 years has been lying to you all this time? This series follows that thread.
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3 – May 5th
Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 marks the last ride of Peter Quill and his misfit family. This film will focus on Peter trying to raise the team’s spirits after the death of Gamora, as well as the truth behind Rocket’s sad origin. Bring tissues with this one.
ECHO – SUMMER
The character Echo was first introduced in 2021. After seeking revenge for a family murder, Echo was killed at the end of the Hawkeye series…or was she? Look for major connections to the Marvel “street-level” heroes in this Disney+ series.
JULY TO DECEMBER 2023
LOKI SEASON 2 – JULY…ISH
The season finale of LOKI detailed a multiverse in which any and all timelines are possible. Sylvie’s action from season one will be felt throughout the MCU, and Kang The Conqueror will have something to say in the new season on Disney+.
THE MARVELS – JULY 28TH
The follow-up to Captain Marvel will be an interesting one. This film combines 3 characters of similar powers. Spectrum, who was first seen in WandaVision, Captain Marvel herself, and Ms. Marvel, fresh off of her highly rated Disney+ debut. These three must determine the source of their powers and determine the threat it poses.
BLADE – November 3rd
The daywalker is back with a new coat of paint. This time, Oscar winner Mahershala Ali dons the black cape and sword. Bassim Tariq is set to direct the vampire hunter film with shooting to begin this October.
IRONHEART – FALL
Marvel has started a trend of introducing characters in their movies, and diving into them through their own show. Ironheart is next in line. She will first be seen in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and then star in her Disney+ show following the aftermath of that film.
AGATHA: COVEN OF CHAOS – WINTER 2023 | JANUARY 2024
Marvel struck gold with Kathryn Hahn’s portrayal of the witch Agatha Harkness. One villainous plot and a popular song later, she receives her own Disney+ show. Expect Wanda Maximoff or the Scarlett Witch to make an appearance.
JANUARY – JULY, 2024
DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN – SPRING
Everyone’s favorite devil returns to Hell’s Kitchen in 2024. Charlie Cox is back as Daredevil (recently seen in Spider-Man: No Way Home) as well as Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin (first seen in Hawkeye). Where has Daredevil been in the MCU? Why is he helping Echo and She-Hulk? Find out the answers in this 18-episode Disney+ series.
CAPTAIN AMERICA: NEW WORLD ORDER – May 3rd
Sam Wilson is Captain America following the events of the Falcon and Winter Soldier series on Disney+. It’s a new era for the Avengers, and this film begins that push. Simple, yet effective.
THUNDERBOLTS – JULY
What happens when you can’t force your way into becoming an Avenger? You join the Thunderbolts. This team in the comics was made up of villains looking to do the dirty work and push the envelope that the heroes wouldn’t. What happens when The Suicide Squad meets The Guardians Of The Galaxy?
Marvel has not announced that the THUNDERBOLTS film will be the end of Phase 5, so expect another film, or series, to carry that designation. Regardless, Phase 5 will wrap up before November of 2024.
PHASE 6: FROM NOVEMBER 2024 – TBA
This is where the details become more open-ended but have no fear. Kevin Fiege himself stated…
“There will be another 8 Marvel projects to be revealed during the D23 Expo. Including Eternals.
The rough outline is here, but by September, the majority of the puzzle should be completed.
FANTASTIC FOUR – NOVEMBER, 2024
Marvel’s first family, The Fantastic Four, signals the beginning of Phase 6. Expect a retro, almost Jeston family-like approach to the film. Director? TBA. Filming? TBA.
AVENGERS: THE KANG DYNASTY – MAY 5th, 2025
By this point, it will have been 7 years since the last time the Avengers were on screen. With Kang (Jonathan Majors) front and center as the chaotic time lord, the Avengers will go on a reality-bending thrill ride. Story elements from Secret Invasion, Quantumania, Loki, and more combine into the beginning of the end.
AVENGERS: SECRET WARS – NOVEMBER 8th, 2025
This is the Avengers film that’s most likely to move to 2026 for story purposes. Regardless, the events that transpire in Avengers: The Kang Dynasty will spill over directly into Avengers: Secret Wars.
In the comics, the Secret Wars storyline sees the multiverse unravel, destabilize, and threaten all life until the day is saved by one man…Doctor Doom. Will the MCU adapt this specific story? Probably not. Will this merge the Multiverse Saga into one or two timelines and finally introduce the X-Men? Possibly. Only time will tell.
FOUR UNTITLED FILMS IN 2026
FEBRUARY 13TH, 2026 (UNANNOUNCED)
MAY 1ST, 2026 (UNANNOUNCED)
JULY 24TH, 2026 (UNANNOUNCED)
NOVEMBER 6TH, 2026 (UNANNOUNCED)
So that is the Marvel cinematic calendar as it stands (without animated projects). There are plenty of projects to be revealed for Phase 6 as the year progresses and I’m sure there is a myriad of questions and theories regarding certain characters. For now, plan your budget accordingly.
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