Marvel Studios made its triumphant return to San Diego Comic-Con to a big crowd at Hall H. Just like previous times that the big movie giant comes to a convention, there were some big news and surprises to be shared regarding their future slate of films coming up. CEO Kevin Feige graced the stage along with a few others to reveal some of the biggest upcoming films coming our way between 2023 and 2025 for Phases 4-6 in what is being called the Multiverse Saga.
Just like the Infinity Saga that came before, this new trilogy of phases has set up the multiverse as it is known as the first films of Phase 4 have set up some old and new characters in the aftermath of Avengers: Endgame. With COVID-19 canceling San Diego Comic-Con for over a year now, it is the first time in a while that Marvel Studios has graced the big convention with some major news on what’s to come. There are a lot of speculations about what would be revealed at the panel, but the comic book film industry is about to be taken by storm with all these new releases and reveals coming straight out of the biggest comic conventions in the country.
Straight out of the gate, it was revealed that Black Panther: Wakanda Forever would end Phase 4 as it is scheduled for a release date on November 11. Director Ryan Coogler along with cast members Danai Gurira, Lupita N’yongo, Letitia Wright, and Winston Duke introduced the world to the teaser trailer for the film, which also welcomed a new cast member Tenoch Huerta as Namor the Sub-mariner. It was emotional for the cast and crew as this is the film that addresses the passing of T’Challa after actor Chadwick Boseman succumbed to colon cancer in 2020. We should expect more coming out of the film in the coming months, but so far, it is looking like audiences will finally be able to visit Wakanda real soon.
Audiences also got another look at the upcoming Disney Plus series She-Hulk, which provided some new information on what we can expect when it comes out in August. Arriving on stage to share their experience was the cast, led by Tatiana Maslany who plays the titular hero. We were also given a glimpse at Jameela Jamil’s villainous role as Titania. Other than Mark Ruffalo reprising his role as Bruce Banner / Hulk, we also learned that returning characters Wong and Daredevil would be making appearances during the series as well.
Speaking of Daredevil, we also learned that Charlie Cox would be returning to his role as the hero in the upcoming revival Daredevil: Born Again alongside Vincent D’Onofrio, who will be donning the suit again as Kingpin. Revealed to be 18 episodes, the series will also stream on Disney Plus sometime in early 2024. The two characters will first appear in the Hawkeye spin-off series Echo, which will be released next summer. Other Disney Plus shows include the second season of Loki, Ironheart, Secret Invasion, and the WandaVision spin-off Agatha: Coven of Chaos, all bowing on 2023.
To kick things off for Phase 5, audiences were given a look at Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Revealing the first look were stars Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, and newcomer Kathryn Newton. In the footage, attendees were given a glimpse at the film’s villain MODOK. The new film will also feature the first appearance of Kang the Conqueror, being played by Jonathan Majors.
The next film on the agenda was Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, which brought in director James Gunn and the cast led by Chris Pratt. Showcasing a tease for the crowd, the next Guardians adventure will feature Will Poulter as Adam Warlock as well as Chukwudi Iwuji playing the High Evolutionary. The film will also have actress Maria Bakalova voicing Cosmo the Spacedog. Fans will also be getting another Captain America film with Anthony Mackie donning the role after Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Titled Captain America: New World Order, the film will be released on May 3, 2024. Closing out Phase 5 would be Thunderbolts, the villains-based team which will be coming on July 26, 2024.
Finally, Phase 6 will open with Fantastic Four on November 8, 2024, but no casting has been made yet or who will be directing the project. However, the biggest news from the panel was that two Avengers films would be released in the same year to close the Multiverse Saga. Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars will put Jonathan Majors at the forefront as the MCU’s next big bad, Kang the Conqueror. Teased during the first season of Loki, we should expect to see him make waves during this chapter of the MCU.
So many new films and TV shows have already laid out plans for the MCU for the next three years. It’ll be interesting to see how this all shapes up for fans of the comics as well as the films.
