You could argue that the Marvel Cinematic Universe hasn't had more misses than hits since Avengers: Endgame premiered way back in 2019. But, the thing is, you can't put the genie back in the bottle anymore, or so to speak. After opening the portals, quite literally and figuratively, to an entire multiverse of possibilities, the MCU finds itself in a conundrum. Does it cash in and listen to audiences who want to see more of the MCU as soon as possible? Or, does it welcome the challenge of topping itself with every outing, at the risk of "lower" annual box office totals?
Four years after the launch of what's easily the biggest crossover film in cinematic history (well, at least until James Gunn's creative genius gets Kevin Feige to greenlight a DC vs Marvel film), we finally get an answer.
Hint: we're getting less and more of the MCU in the next couple of years.
From the standard of three releases next year to a rather unusual dip to two films in 2025 (an anomaly last experienced way back in 2016), Disney's release schedule has taken an undeniable downturn. Looking into the future, 2026 and 2027 appear even bleaker at first glance, each year marked by a single MCU release in theaters. This strategy, announced in an official post, is similar to Phase 1 of the MCU, which feels like another lifetime ago.
Why this sudden lurch into the slow lane, you ask? The whispers and rumors across industry grapevines suggest an array of possible causes, but there are two particular snags raising alarm bells: the still-ongoing Writers Guild of America Strike and a handful of admittedly obvious misses at the global box office, partly due to the industry-wide bottleneck caused by a backlog of films needing quality VFX output as soon as possible and the few companies that can cater to their demands.
The delightful charm of the MCU, the addictive allure that keeps audiences hooked, lies as much in its written word as in its extraordinary visual spectacle. The snappy dialogue, the meticulously orchestrated plot twists, the intricate web of narratives that draw viewers to the edge of their seats – all of this depends on the brilliance of the writers.
With the writers currently on strike, the beating heart of the MCU appears to have stuttered, creating a ripple effect that has echoed through production schedules, leading to delays and sidelining script development.
The cascading chaos of the reshuffling has left several films in its wake. Captain America: Brave New World, which has since been renamed and was originally donned in the mantle of a May 3, 2024 release, has been jostled to August 2024. Blade, as well as Thunderbolts, have been nudged along the calendar to find themselves nestled in December 2024 and February 2025, respectively. Not to be left behind, the Fantastic Four now cast a hopeful eye on a May 2025 release.
Finally, the Avengers, our beloved ensemble, has not been spared either. Both upcoming Avengers films, Kang Dynasty and Secret Wars, have found their release dates kicked a whole year down the line to 2026 and 2027, respectively.
Intriguingly, amongst all this turmoil lies one glimmer of hope: Deadpool 3, initially poised for a November 2024 release, has superhero landed its way to May 2024.
Unfortunately, while this advancement of schedule initially seems like good news, it also brings up concerns about a lack of script improvisations due to the writers' strike.
Deadpool's biggest strength is Ryan Reynolds' wit and humor. He's Deadpool, personified. If he's restrained to following a script, how is Deadpool going to be, well, Deadpool?
Ultimately, the trajectory of these events suggests that Marvel Studios is rethinking its strategy. Perhaps Kevin Feige and co. are letting script development set the phase, slowing down its need for visual effects and giving all parties involved enough time to cook, as the kids say these days than marching to the drumbeat of their admittedly ambitious pre-ordained release dates.
If nothing else, this switch bodes well for the quality of the films in the long run. However, it's challenging to gloss over the simmering impatience among fans, who have been conditioned to expect a rapid-fire succession of releases.
Then again, the MCU has the chance to render all this talk moot in the next few years if each quality of every outing matches if not exceeds expectations.
The impending question here is the impact of these changes on the larger narrative, the intricate tapestry of the Multiverse Saga. Production delays, combined with hasty adjustments, could result in a disjointed narrative, leaving a sour taste in the mouths of audiences. We know from past experiences that while MCU fans are a forgiving lot, they can be very vocal about their disappointment if presented with a narrative that seems rushed or undercooked.
Seriously, why the hell is no one still addressing that big hulking body of a Celestial that's sticking out of the planet? We're aware that rumors suggest that it will be addressed soon, but what's taking so long?
The key takeaway from all of this? Disney and Marvel have a challenging balancing act on their hands. It's crucial to retain the integrity and quality of the narrative, but equally important to keep fans' fervor alive by ensuring a steady stream of film releases.
All we can do is hope that the Disney conglomerate will find a way to untangle these complications swiftly and return the MCU to its formerly energetic rhythm.
For now, at least, MCU fans will be eating good with the premiere of Secret Invasion on June 21, Loki Season 2 on October 6, as well as The Marvels and Echo on November 10 and November 29, respectively.
