The Marvel Cinematic Universe is underneath extra stress than ever earlier than to get it proper. After years of uncontested field workplace dominance and broad essential approval, the tides have began to show in opposition to the once-unassailable theatrical juggernaut, with a big drop in box-office performance, a normal air of “superhero fatigue”, and the conviction and sentencing of actor Jonathan Majors, beforehand set to be the principle villain of the following Avengers saga.
All of that and extra has Marvel in retooling mode, releasing fewer new motion pictures per yr and shuffling some titles across the calendar. However that calendar nonetheless stays, and at 2024’s San Diego Comedian-Con, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige shared a quick look at what MCU followers can count on within the close to (and much) future.
Lacking from the bulletins had been the X-Males, Blade (beforehand listed as a 2025 launch, however not talked about amongst their deliberate 2025 releases, suggesting one more delay), and the same old huge upcoming timeline schedule. Whereas the Marvel panel was gentle on new launch bulletins, Marvel Studios was nonetheless capable of generate loads of buzz with one huge casting announcement.
Right here’s what Marvel announced at SDCC 2024 about the way forward for the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The Russos return for Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars
The closing titles for Marvel’s essential, however considerably gentle, panel had been all concerning the subsequent installments within the Avengers franchise. Whereas Marvel initially mentioned Kang can be the first villain this time round, the corporate pivoted after recasting Jonathan Majors following his conviction on assault and harassment costs, leaving the way forward for his numerous MCU motion pictures as a little bit of a thriller.
Veteran Avengers administrators Joe and Anthony Russo confirmed as much as clear issues up. The duo, who beforehand directed Avengers: Infinity Struggle and Endgame, are again for the following two Avengers motion pictures. The primary film shall be referred to as Avengers: Doomsday, releasing Could 1, 2026, whereas the large finale shall be Avengers: Secret Wars, releasing Could 7, 2027.
After all, no announcement like this might be full with out revealing who’s enjoying Physician Doom himself. However the Russo Brothers took care of that, too…
Robert Downey Jr. returns to the MCU as Victor Von Doom
…with the largest mic drop of the evening. One way or the other, Robert Downey Jr. has returned to the fold. The Iron Man actor will play Physician Doom in Avengers: Doomsday, marking his return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The transfer signifies a full pivot away from Kang to Doom because the Avengers’ subsequent Massive Unhealthy. The Implausible 4 will seem in every of the following two Avengers motion pictures.
“New mask,” Downey Jr. mentioned. “Same task.”
Captain America: Courageous New World bought an official villain
We’ve recognized for some time that Giancarlo Esposito can be within the upcoming Captain America film, but it surely wasn’t till this panel that we realized who he’s enjoying: Sidewinder. Sidewinder is the chief of the Serpent Society, a prison enterprise that often has much less grand aspirations than a few of Marvel’s different villains, which appears to recommend this film goes to be a bit bit extra low-key than a few of its extra unbelievable cousins. As Feige mentioned throughout the panel, this one is an espionage film, extra within the vein of Captain America: The Winter Soldier than the MCU’s numerous motion pictures about heroes saving the universe.
Thunderbolts* premiered its first footage
There weren’t many true bulletins about Thunderbolts* — and we nonetheless don’t know what’s up with the * within the title — however there was some footage that was proven completely to the attendees in Corridor H. That clip appeared fairly thrilling: quite a lot of individuals posting on social media out of the panel in contrast what they noticed to James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad, which will surely be a welcome tone for the MCU.
Implausible 4 bought a subtitle and a few footage
Implausible 4 is the furthest out of any of the flicks that premiered footage throughout the panel, but additionally in all probability probably the most anticipated. The 4 members of the Implausible Household — Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach — confirmed up on stage throughout the presentation, and a little bit of footage was proven that ended with our first look at Galactus. That footage isn’t obtainable on-line but, however we’ll replace when it’s.
You’ll find all of Polygon’s protection of SDCC 2024 information, trailers, and extra right here.
