Ever since the world shut down last year due to the pandemic, Hollywood has been trying to get back on track as theaters re-open and everyone tries to get back to some semblance of normal. One of the biggest studios effected has been Marvel Studios, home of the most successful connected franchise ever with the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The multi-billion dollar franchise is planning out their future meticulously, preparing for Phase 4 and beyond with multiple release dates throughout 2022 and 2023. Because of this, Disney and Marvel have shifted a bunch of future release dates for the MCU, including pulling two off of the schedule completely.
Disney and Marvel have made a huge shift to their release schedule, starting with early next year. The first shift really hurts the most for fans as Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness has been moved back from March 2022 to May 6th, 2022. This was originally the release date for Thor: Love and Thunder, which is now set for July 8th, 2022. That date was held by Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, which now takes over The Marvels release date of November 11th, 2022. The Marvels has been pushed out of 2022 completely, nabbing the February 17th, 2023 slate and Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania has been delayed to July 28th, 2023.
Also, two untitled projects have been pulled completely from 2023 (July 28th and October 6th, respectively), whilst one unknown project actually got a one week boost and shifted from November 10th to November 3rd of 2023.
These moves come along with Disney shifting other titles like Indiana Jones 5, another untitled project, and 20th Century Media film. However, fans need to not fret. While it stinks that we will have to wait even longer for these highly anticipated films, it has nothing to do with success or failure in their current releases. Shang-Chi is still the highest grossing film of 2021 so far. Instead, these delays are due to production delays, especially since there was nearly a strike from the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, i.e. the behind the scenes crew members that really make movies run. So instead of rushing projects and thus possibly ruining the end product, Disney and Marvel have instead moved them back to give them the time they truly need.
What do you think in this shift in the Disney release schedule? Let us know in the comments below!