Marvel’s Release Delays Mean The MCU Matches DC In One Very Disappointing Way

Marvel Studios has delayed several upcoming films, meaning the Marvel Cinematic Universe release schedule now matches DC in an underwhelming way. Activity in Hollywood has been paused for the greater part of 2023 due to the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Now that the strikes have officially concluded, Marvel productions will be back underway with some new end dates in mind. Though the extra time will do these projects some good, it means the MCU’s release schedule is looking more sparse than it has in a long time.

Most MCU Phase 5 and Phase 6 projects have already been the victim of delays announced back in June 2023, but several MCU projects are getting pushed back a bit more. Deadpool 3‘s new release date of July 26, 2024 means the film is only getting pushed back by a few months. Meanwhile, Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts have gotten pushed into a new year. Finally, the Blade reboot has also been delayed a few months amidst a troubled production.

Related: How To Watch the Marvel Movies In Order (By Release Date & In Order Of MCU Timeline Events)

Only 1 MCU Movie Releases In 2024

The MCU originally had three films slated for a 2024 release, but the new delays mean that only one MCU film will be released next year – Deadpool 3. In a first for Marvel Studios since 2012 with The Avengers, the MCU will only have one film releasing next year. This makes Marvel’s 2024 theater slate awfully similar to DC’s, as DC’s only release next year will be Joker: Folie à Deux.

Related: Every Actor Cast In Deadpool 3 (So Far)

The MCU delays are not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, the bare 2024 MCU slate might actually work in the studio’s favor. Audiences have been especially critical of the MCU in recent months, with superhero movie fatigue hitting Marvel and DC hard this year. Having only one film in 2024 will give audiences a chance to reset after back–to–back releases, and it will give productions more time to work on previously criticized aspects like rushed VFX. Though only having one film in 2024 may be disappointing, the MCU can still release plenty of MCU content through Disney+.

2024 Will Be Dominated By Sony Marvel Movies

The majority of Marvel content next year will be coming from Sony, as the studio currently has three Marvel films slated for release in 2024. Though filming for Madame Web has been well finished and is set to release in only a few months on February 14, not much else is known about the movie. On the other hand, Kraven the Hunter has already received a trailer ahead of its August 30 release. Venom 3 is expected to be the last Sony Marvel film released in 2024, with a scheduled date of November 8.

The MCU’s slate is always changing, but 2024 will mark the first time the MCU has only released one movie since 2012. Of course, whether that ends up a good thing or not will come down to the quality of Deadpool 3 and the projects after it. The Marvel Cinematic Universe is in need of some course corrections, and the extra time afforded by the delays might do the trick.

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