Marvel may only release two MCU Disney Plus shows in 2023
Update: less is more for Marvel
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Update:It appearsMarvelis already planning to announce multiple changes to its TV show release schedule.
PerThe Hollywood Reporter’s sources, only two Disney Plus series –Loki season 2andSecret Invasion– are definitely airing in 2023. Animated TV seriesX-Men 97is also expected to release this year, though, according toDisney’s Q1 2023 earnings presentation.
If those reports are true,Echo,Ironheart, andWhat If…?season 2 will all be pushed into 2024.Agatha: Coven of Chaos, which is currently filming, will likely be shunted into 2025, too. It’s unclear how other shows, such as the much anticipatedDaredevil: Born Again, will be impacted.
Disney didn’t respond to TechRadar’s request for comment on the rumored release schedule changes.
Original story follows.
Marvel President Kevin Feige has admitted that the studio’s approach to its TV show release schedule will change.
In a wide-ranging interview withEntertainment Weekly(EW), Feige revealed thatMarvel’s forthcoming lineup ofDisney Plusshows was overstuffed and unwieldy. Subsequently, the studio plans to make sweeping changes around its launch schedule, giving future TV series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) room to breathe and shine.
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Initially, Feige was asked what Marvel had learned about creating and releasing TV shows sinceWandaVision– the MCU’s first TV series – debuted in January 2021. In his response, Feige briefly mentioned a recent Saturday Night Live (SNL) skit, which poked fun at how many shows Marvel was pumping out, before acknowledging that Marvel was re-evaluating its approach to TV.
“I do think one of the powerful aspects of being at Marvel Studios is having these films and shows hit the zeitgeist,” Feige said. “It’s harder to hit the zeitgeist when there’s so much product out there – and so much ‘content’, as they say, which is a word that I hate. [Laughs] But we want Marvel Studios and the MCU projects to really stand out and stand above. So, people will see that as we get further into Phase 5 and 6. The pace at which we’re putting out the Disney Plus shows will change so they can each get a chance to shine.”
Asked whether Marvel intended to space out its Disney Plus offerings, or develop fewer TV shows than before, Feige replied: “Both, I think.”
Analysis: trimming the MCU fat
Feige’s comments will likely be music to people’s ears.
Ever sinceWandaVisionkicked offMarvel Phase 4, fans and critics have regularly commented on Marvel’s increasingly packed lineup of movies and TV shows. Phase 4 comprised 17 projects – seven movies, eight series, and two TV specials – and, given the mixed reception many of those productions met with, MCU fans believe Marvel has begun favoring quantity over quality.
With at least 13Marvel Phase 5films and shows set to debut between February 2023 and September 2024, and four movies already announced forMarvel Phase 6, some industry analysts and fans think it won’t be long before superhero fatigue sets in (if it hasn’t already for some).
However, Feige’s comments provide some hope that Marvel is learning from its Phase 4 mistakes. It’s alreadyrejigged its release date schedule in light ofBlade’s development problems. Meanwhile,Echo’s standalone series is rumored to be getting delayed into 2024, some MCU animated shows,includingSpider-Man: Freshman Year, could end up being scrapped, and even Marvel’s Phase 6 slate could be shunted from 2025/26 to 2026/27.
Based on Feige’s suggestions, we should expect more movies and shows to be pushed back – and that would be welcomed by many. Three Marvel movies and two (or three) Disney Plus shows is more than enough MCU content to consume over a 12-month period. IfGuardians of the Galaxy 3,The Marvels,Loki season 2, andSecret Invasionare the only other projects released this year, we’d be more than happy. The likes ofIronheart,Echo, andWhat If…? season 2, which are also expected in 2023, can wait – and that will also give their cast and crews more time to make them as good as they can be.
The problem Feige has, though, is Disney’s – or rather returning CEO Bog Iger’s – desire to expand its money-spinning franchise. In a recentCNBCinterview, Iger claimed Disney will “lean even harder” into its most profitable IPs, including the MCU, Avatar, andStar Wars.
Feige and Iger have a strong working relationship – it was Iger who stepped in to stop Feige from reportedly (and shockingly) being fired in 2015. However, with Feige suggesting that Marvel will trim the fat from its movie and TV lineup, and Iger pushing to release more projects instead, the pair will need to find common ground if the MCU is to continue thriving and get back on track after a middling – critically, at least – few years.
For more MCU coverage, read ourAnt-Man and the Wasp: Quantumaniareview. Additionally, find out which Marvel series made it onto our list of thebest Disney Plus shows, check out our ranking of thebest Marvel movies, or find outhow to watch the Marvel movies in order.
As TechRadar’s senior entertainment reporter, Tom covers all of the latest movies, TV shows, and streaming service news that you need to know about. You’ll regularly find him writing about the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and many other topics of interest.
An NCTJ-accredited journalist, Tom also writes reviews, analytical articles, opinion pieces, and interview-led features on the biggest franchises, actors, directors and other industry leaders. You may see his quotes pop up in the odd official Marvel Studios video, too, such as thisMoon Knight TV spot.
Away from work, Tom can be found checking out the latest video games, immersing himself in his favorite sporting pastime of football, reading the many unread books on his shelf, staying fit at the gym, and petting every dog he comes across.
Got a scoop, interesting story, or an intriguing angle on the latest news in entertainment? Feel free to drop him a line.
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