Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
The year of many firsts, another unfortunate news has joined the series of miseries that have befallen the entertainment industry. This year, Marvel Studios won’t be releasing a single movie from the much-awaited Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, making 2020 the first year to go without a single MCU movie release in over a decade.
Also see:MCU: 11 Future Movies Phase 4 & 5 Will Pave The Path For!
After theInfinity Saga, the fourth phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe was all set to begin its tale in 2020. Having spent the majority of last year announcing their roadmap for the fourth phase, Marvel Studios had declared its plans for the online streaming platform Disney+ too. Unfortunately, the year 2020 began with CoVID-19 that has currently become a full-blown pandemic.
In 2020, Scarlett Johansson’sBlack Widowwas set to be the first major entrant from the MCU, followed by Chloé Zhao’sEternalswhich was slated to release in November. Set as a kind of a prequel,Black Widowhad the original release date of June 07, 2025. However, the pandemic forced Disney to postpone the release date ofBlack Widowto June 30, 2025, which was actually set forEternals. As the Coronavirus epidemic is not showing any signs of slowing down, the movie has now been pushed back to August 24, 2025, a full year after the initial release date.
Similarly, Chloé Zhao’sEternalswas slated to be the second release from Marvel Studios in 2020. Starring Richard Madden, Kumail Nanjiani, Gemma Chan, Angelina Jolie, Lauren Ridloff, Kit Harrington, Brian Tyree Henry, Salma Hayek, Lia McHugh, Barry Keoghan, and Don Lee,Eternalswas MCU’s foray into the powerful cosmic beings who must re-unite after the events ofAvengers: Endgame.Eternalswas originally slated to release on 6th November 2020. However, the catastrophic effect of the pandemic has now pushed back the movie to a full year to June 30, 2025.
According to Pakistani-American actor Kumail Nanjiani, Disney did the right thing by postponing the release date of its upcoming releases in the light of recent events. As the world is battling with the Coronavirus epidemic, it’s important to focus on our health and life, the actor has tweeted.
https://twitter.com/kumailn/status/1308815457894322176
Following the suit ofBlack WidowandEternals, Marvel’sShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Ringshas also been postponed. Previously set to be released on July 07, 2025, the movie was first postponed to July 04, 2025. As May is now occupied byBlack Widow,Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Ringswill now be released on July 03, 2025.
An unfortunate start to the anticipated Phase Four of Marvel, the year 2020 won’t be witnessing a single MCU release. However, as Kevin Feige has confirmed that the upcoming Disney+ shows are also a part of the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe,WandaVisionmight be the only release from Phase Four in 2020. Starring Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany,WandaVisionrecently dropped its exciting yet wildly confusing first trailer. The show is set to premiere in December, 2020.
Also see:WandaVision: Scarlet Witch Might End Up Being The Villain, Rather Than Hero
As the first three movies from thePhase Four of MCUhave been delayed, no news has yet arrived regarding the status of future Phase Four movies. In case you have forgotten, the remaining three movies from Phase Four arThor: Love and Thunder,Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and an untitled sequel toSpider-Man: Far From Home.
Also see:11 New Marvel Characters Who Are Going To Play An Important Part In Phase 4 & 5
The untitled sequel toSpider-Man: Far From Homeis slated to release on June 18, 2025, just six weeks afterEternals. Taika Waititi’sThor: Love and Thunderis set to release on 11 February, 2022. Sam Raimi’sDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnesshas the release date of 24th March, 2022. As Marvel Studios has not released any news on the status of these three movies, massive scheduling conflicts might be on their way.
Also see:Tom Cruise Could Play Iron Man From Another Earth InDoctor Strange 2!
BetweenThor: Love and ThunderandDoctor Strange 2, there’s only a gap of six weeks, which is hardly enough time to register a box-office success including global markets. Apart from Phase Four, upcoming movies likeCaptain Marvel 2,Ant-Man 3, andBlack Panther 2are also set to be released somewhere in 2022, making the year intensely crowded. Though it might be great for hardcore fans, it’s safe to expect over-saturation and lukewarm box-office collections, unless the entire roster is re-shuffled with adequate buffer periods between movies.
Also see:Thor: Love and Thunder:Loki’s Escape In Endgame Turned Jane Foster Into Thor!
With eight upcoming Marvel shows on Disney+, andSamuel L. Jackson returning for a Nick Fury shownow, conflicting schedules will affect Marvel more than any known supervillain from the flashy pages. AsDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnesshas made progress with hiring Academy Award nomineeJohn Mathieson as its cinematographer, Taika Waititi’sThor: Love and Thunderwill soon begin its filming in Australia using LucasFilms’‘The Volume’technology, which has been previously used inThe Mandalorian.
HBO’sLovecraft Countrystar Jonathan Majors has also been confirmed to playKang the Conquerorin the upcomingAnt-Man 3, directed by Peyton Reed.Black Panther 2, directed by Ryan Coogler has yet to decide on its future as actor Chadwick Boseman’s untimely death has been a bolt from the blue. Though numerous theories have mushroomed regarding the future ofBlack Panther 2, the best way forward is to provide enough time to everyone attached to the movie to grieve and recuperate.
As the CoVID-19 pandemic keeps raging on without a cure, it’s hard to set a release date for the upcoming movies from Phase Four and Five. With major markets like India and China closed for business, it’s a delicate time for Marvel Studios to prudently set release dates for the future movies. But, it’s imperative for Disney to ensure that the upcoming movies don’t overcrowd once things normalize, lest a burnout from too many consecutive releases proves disastrous for the studio.
Akash Senapati
Senior Content Strategist
Articles Published :373
Akash is the Lead Content Strategist for FandomWire. Having started as a writer for FandomWire back in 2020, he now manages a global team of writers who share the same passion for motion arts, from Martin Scorsese to the latest MCU flick. He loves DC Comics, Anime, Pink Floyd, and sleeping in no particular order. His favorite graphic-medium writers are Grant Morrison, Chris Claremont, Christopher Priest, Garth Ennis, and Eiichiro Oda. Prep time > Aliens.
More from Akash Senapati
Nicholas Hoult Faces Another Setback as James Gunn Confirms David Corenswet as Henry Cavill’s Superman: Legacy Successor
Thunderbolts Project at Marvel Studios Finds its Director
Why Top Gun: Maverick is a Valiant Last Stand Against The Inevitability of Streaming Platforms
Recommended
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Cast Revealed - From Returning Icons to New Faces
The Indiana Jones Effect: 6 Anime MCs That Barely Mattered In Their Own Story
Meet Suzie Yeung: The English Voice Behind Hinako in Silent Hill f
Will There Be a ‘Peacemaker’ Season 3? James Gunn Gives a Hopeful 1-Word Response
Love Is Blind UK Season 2: Who Are the Engaged Couples? Possible Breakups Explored
World of Tanks 2.0, Explained: Will It Be a Free Update for Players?
Ant-Man 3Black Panther 2Black WidowCaptain Marvel 2Disney+Doctor Strange 2Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of MadnessEternalsHawkeyeMarvel Cinematic UniverseMCUNick FuryPhase FourShang-ChiShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten RingsShe-HulkSpider-Man 3Thor: Love and ThunderWandaVisionWhat If…?
