After the impactful conclusion of the 22-film series, The Infinity Saga, Marvel Studios announced the upcoming phases. Phase 4 of the MCU concluded in 2022 with titles like Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and Avengers: Endgame. This phase marked a period of rebuilding following the franchise's extensive journey toward the showdown with Thanos.
The comprehensive roadmap for Phases 4, 5, and 6 of the MCU was unveiled at San Diego Comic-Con 2022. It provided a wealth of dates and new information about highly anticipated films and TV series within the MCU. The upcoming narrative arc is called The Multiverse Saga, encompassing several years of storytelling.
Keeping track of Marvel's upcoming movie and TV lineup can be overwhelming. So, we've compiled a comprehensive list of confirmed upcoming Marvel movies, including details about the cast and filming.
1. 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.
With the massive success of Captain Marvel in 2019, it was only a matter of time before we had a sequel. The Marvels, set to be the third MCU release in 2023, is set to hit theaters in November. In January 2020, Marvel enlisted Megan McDonnell, a WandaVision writer, to start developing a sequel to Captain Marvel.
The initial trailer for The Marvels was unveiled in April 2023, offering a glimpse into the storyline. The plot involves Captain Marvel, Ms. Marvel, and Monica swapping locations across the universe when activating their powers.
The movie is set in the present day, with Zawe Ashton as the film's antagonist. Filming for The Marvels began in May 2021 and concluded in May 2022.
2. 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
Lizzie Molyneux-Logelin and Wendy Molyneux are writing the script for the third installment in the humorous X-Men-related film series. Utilizing Deadpool's (Ryan Reynolds) ability to break the fourth wall, the film might explore his awareness of a significant alteration in reality. The film could also explore his quest for his previously deceased love interest Vanessa (Morena Baccarin), or the realization that she never existed in this new reality. Director Shawn Levy, known for Free Guy and The Adam Project, agreed to helm the project, with writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick returning to develop the script further.
Rob Delaney, who portrayed Peter, the fully human member of X-Force, confirmed his return to the role in May of that year. Kevin Feige revealed in early 2021 that the film was in development and would maintain its R-rated content.
3. 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
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has a new Captain America, and he will soon take center stage in his own movie. After passing on his iconic shield to Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) in Avengers: Endgame, Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) set the stage for Sam's journey to embrace the mantle. This transformation was explored in the Disney+ series The Falcon And The Winter Soldier. In the series, Sam finally embraces his role as the new Captain America. Donning a new Vibranium suit that retains his flying abilities, Sam's next adventure will take flight on the big screen in this movie.
Co-writing the script are Malcolm Spellman, the showrunner of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and Dalan Musson, a writer from the same show. This film will also introduce Harrison Ford to the MCU as he steps into the role of Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross.
The movie is set to present a blend of fresh allies and adversaries, offering a thrilling and enigmatic superhero narrative.
4. 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
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is set to revolutionize the superhero genre with the upcoming development of a Thunderbolts movie. In June 2022, news of the project emerged, with significant progress made, including key hires. Eric Pearson, known for his work on Black Widow and Thor: Ragnarok, is composing the screenplay.
Thunderbolts, typically depicted as a team of antiheroes in comics, will be released on July 26, 2024, as the conclusion to Phase 5. The movie will bring together unexpected Marvel supporting characters for their own cinematic adventure, possibly introducing a fresh corner of the MCU. The concept bears a resemblance to the setup of Suicide Squad. However, work on Thunderbolts has been temporarily halted by Marvel due to ongoing industry strikes.
5. Blade
Release Date: February 14, 2025
Status: Production Halted
Director: Yann Demange
Cast: Mahershala Ali
Marvel Studios secured the rights to Blade several years ago. They officially announced plans to bring the character to life in MCU at San Diego Comic-Con 2019. Three years later, at the same event, it was unveiled that the movie would be the fourth MCU installment to grace theaters in 2023. However, the release has been subsequently rescheduled to early 2025.
The role of Blade will be portrayed by two-time Oscar winner Mahershala Ali, who recently made his debut appearance in the MCU during the end credits of Eternals, albeit in voice only.
Bassam Tariq, director of Mogul Mowgli, was initially set to helm the project in July 2021, with Stacy Osei-Kuffour in charge of the screenplay. However, both have since departed from the production. Yann Demange has taken over the directorial role, while Michael Starrbury is now handling the script.
6. Fantastic Four
Release Date: May 2, 2025
Status: Production Halted
Director: Matt Shakman
Cast: TBA
Marvel Studios hinted at the inclusion of X-Men and Fantastic Four characters in the MCU during San Diego Comic-Con 2019. In 2022, it was officially announced that Fantastic Four would launch Phase 5 on November 8, 2024, later shifted to May 2, 2025. The Disney-Fox merger heightened excitement for the MCU's Fantastic Four, though Phase 4 didn't showcase their debut. Phase 6 now welcomes the team in May 2025.
Jon Watts, known for MCU's Spider-Man, was set to direct the reboot, revealed at Disney Investor Day 2020. However, he left in April 2022, replaced by WandaVision's Matt Shakman. Casting details for Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch, and The Thing remain pending.
The film won't be an origin story, as Marvel aims for a fresh take; as Kevin Feige stated, "A lot of people know the basics. How do we take that and bring something they've never seen before? We've set a high bar for ourselves." Feige's comments hint at Marvel's innovative approach to delivering an original and unique Fantastic Four portrayal.
7. Avengers: The Kang Dynasty
Release Date: May 1, 2026
Status: Production Halted
Director: Destin Daniel Cretton
Cast: TBA
In 2019, Marvel fans were puzzled by the lack of Avengers films in Phase 4 plans. However, at San Diego Comic-Con 2022, they announced Phase 6 would more than make up for it by presenting two Avengers movies.
Jeff Loveness, the writer of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, is handling the screenplay. Given its title, the movie will likely center around Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors) and his ambitious pursuit of multiverse domination. Following the triumph over formidable adversary Thanos (Josh Brolin) in previous Avengers installments, Marvel is poised to raise the stakes in The Kang Dynasty, capitalizing on the utilization of multiverses and Quantum Realms.
Devotees of Marvel are well aware that Kang featured prominently as one of the earliest adversaries faced by the Avengers. This forthcoming event film will delve into his criminal exploits, building upon the narratives presented in Loki and Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania.
8. Avengers: Secret Wars
Release Date: May 7, 2027
Status: Production Halted
Director: TBA
Cast: TBA
Much like The Kang Dynasty, information about Avengers: Secret Wars is even scarcer. It represents the climax of the MCU's Multiverse Saga. Michael Waldron, known for his work on Loki and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, has been chosen to write the script for the movie. Secret Wars will be the MCU's sixth installment in the Avengers series.
Scheduled for release on May 7, 2027, just about a year after Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, the film will be a cinematic adaptation of the cherished Secret Wars comic storyline. In Secret Wars, the Avengers, Fantastic Four, and X-Men unite to confront an unprecedented and dire menace.
The anticipation among fans for a big-screen adaptation of Secret Wars has been building for years. Although little information is currently available about the film, the excitement surrounding it is already immense. The movie may draw inspiration from Hickman's Avengers and New Avengers comics, possibly involving multiple Earths facing destruction.
9. Armor Wars
Release Date: TBA
Status: TBA
Director: TBA
Cast: Don Cheadle and Walton Goggins
Initially conceived as a Disney+ series, the plan for Armor Wars shifted after nearly two years of its announcement, and it was transformed into a feature film. According to producer Nate Moore, the decision to transition to a film format was driven by the project's scope, which grew too expansive for a television series.
Kevin Feige has hinted that the storyline of Armor Wars will be tied to the aftermath of Secret Invasion. It will revolve around War Machine's efforts to address the potential misuse of Tony Stark's technology by unauthorized individuals.
10. Shang-Chi 2
Release Date: TBA
Status: In development
Director: Destin Daniel Cretton
Cast: Simu Liu
After the successful release of Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings, fans were left wondering about the possibility of a sequel, especially given the film's post-credits teaser hinting at the return of the Ten Rings organization. Despite the lack of immediate news, the highly anticipated sequel was officially confirmed in December 2021. It's hinted that the movie might explore the origins of Shang-Chi's father's Ten Rings organization, as suggested by the post-credits scene of the first film.
While not officially confirmed, Meng'er Zhang is expected to return as Xu Xialing, now the leader of the Ten Rings. Additionally, Shang-Chi 2 will likely maintain the impressive fight scene choreography seen in the first movie, blending modern techniques with nods to classic wire-fighting films.
