Multiverse of Madness
MCU
This article was republished on 4/19.
We are currently working our way through Moon Knight, the latest MCU offering on Disney Plus, and the first without any existing ties to the MCU, though I imagine we’ll get one or two by the end. But after that, given that the pandemic delays have mostly subsided, we are in for a busy 2022 from Marvel, both in terms of film releases and more Disney Plus outings.
After Moon Knight wraps in a few weeks, here’s what we have on deck for the rest of the year, and what we might be able to expect from those projects:
Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness (May 6, 2022) – While this functions as a sequel to Doctor Strange, it’s also a chance to do another cameo-filled bit of craziness similar, and probably even more intensive, than what we’ve just seen with No Way Home. Multiverse of Madness is essentially a sequel to not just Doctor Strange itself, but No Way Home, WandaVision and Loki, as well as introducing new characters like America Chavez. The trailer seems to indicate some major cameos like Patrick Stewart showing up as Professor X, and there are more wild theories about this being the debut of the MCU’s Reed Richards, or an alt-universe Tony Stark variant. But those remain guesses for now.
Ms. Marvel (June 8, 2022) – Back to Disney Plus, we if Moon Knight and the recent arrival of Netflix’s Daredevil and Punisher shows on Disney Plus are a turn toward the “dark side,” Ms. Marvel is supposed to be lighter fare in the MCU, a PG rated outing that has a young Kamala (with altered powers from the comics) learning to become a hero in her own right.
Thor: Love and Thunder (July 8, 2022) – Everyone is kind of weirded out that we don’t have a trailer for this yet given how close it is, but we know that it will be centered on Natalie Portman’s Jane Foster picking up the mantle of Thor, a development from the comics. Update: The second I publish this, Love and Thunder gets a trailer:
Black Panther
Marvel
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (November 11, 2022) – The Black Panther sequel has not recast T’Challa after the tragic passing of Chadwick Boseman, and the likely path forward is having Shuri take up the role going forward. Albeit there has been some measure of controversy around Shuri actress Letitia Wright and her vaccine status and positions. It does not seem impossible this could get delayed again.
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (Holiday 2022) – No exact date for this, but it’s likely to be around Christmas. Not a movie, but a Disney Plus offering, we have no idea what exactly James Gunn is going for here, but no doubt it will be absurd. Keep in mind that last time we saw the Guardians, Peter was having to get used to a timeline-ripped Gamora who doesn’t know him, given that “his” Gamora was killed. Not exactly a fun holiday storyline, so we’ll see how that’s handled.
She-Hulk (2022) – She-Hulk, starring Orphan Black’s Tatiana Maslany, does not have a released date yet, but it’s supposed to come out in the back half of the year. Given that Ms. Marvel is June, I would imagine late summer or early fall. We’re also not sure if Loki season 2 will be out in 2022 or not, the only show that’s aired so far that we know is for sure getting a season 2.
There are plenty of more projects to come, but that’s everything that’s supposed to be out in 2022 from Marvel. Some truly huge movies in there, and some brand new characters coming to Disney Plus, which should be fun.
Update (4/19): Have had some requests for the schedule beyond this, just for reference, so here are the major things we know about. A lot of stuff still does not have dates, even if we know it exists, technically.
The Marvels (February 17, 2023) – This will unite the newly minted Kamala Khan, WandaVision’s Monica Rambeau and of course, Bree Larson’s Captain Marvel herself in the next, present-day chapter of her story.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (May 5, 2023) – We know that the Guardians of the Galaxy will have a prominent presence in at least part of Thor: Love and Thunder, as evidenced by the recent trailer, but I would expect this will be a more Gamora-focused outing as she doesn’t appear in the Thor trailer, at least.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (July 28, 2023) – The third go-round for Ant-Man will feature Kang the Conqueror, the dangerous Kang variant that Loki unleashed. It remains to be seen if Kang is meant to be our Thanos in this phase, but we’ll know more by then, no doubt.
Loki Season 2 (Disney Plus, TBD) – Speaking of Loki, the second season of the show will arrive…some time. It could be 2022, but my guess would be next year as Loki deals with the fallout from the multiverse.
Secret Invasion (Disney Plus TBD) – Sam Jackson will lead this series and it will bring Emilia Clarke to the MCU in a major role for the first time. Alien princess, anyone?
Ironheart (Disney Plus, TBD) – This project is started to assemble a cast and crew, and we may be on our way to finally building our true Tony Stark replacement.
Captain America 4, Blade, Deadpool 3, Fantastic Four, Shang-Chi 2 (TBD) – These are the major movies we know are greenlight, but haven’t been assigned dates yet.
X-Men ‘97, Agatha: House of Harkness, What If…? Season 2, Marvel Zombies, Armor Wars, Wakanda Series, Echo, I Am Groot, Spider-Man: Freshman Year (Disney Plus, TBD) – A mix of animated and live action series coming to Disney Plus…some time. But we don’t know when.
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