Marvel movies are currently facing challenges posed by delayed theatrical releases due to the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) strikes. The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has already been in the firing line for delivering a series of subpar outputs since the beginning of phase 5.
The release dates of four upcoming movies in the MCU Phase 5 will be delayed, much to the disappointment of fans and Marvel executives. These movies are at various stages of production, ranging from filming to post-production, and will have to wait for the strikes to end for their release.
1. Deadpool 3
Deadpool 3 marks the first movie from the earlier X-Men universe to be released under Marvel’s banner after Disney’s acquisition. The Ryan Reynolds starrer was integrated into MCU Phase 5 and will retain its R-rating, becoming the first R-rated movie in the MCU. To the delight of fans, Hugh Jackman will reprise his role as Wolverine in the movie.
The production of the film was halted in July due to the strikes. Marvel initially announced the release date of the movies as November 8, 2024, but it was moved up to May 3, 2024. As a priority for Marvel, the movie will probably be the first Marvel movie to hit theatres after the strike. Deadpool 3 is expected to release on its initially fixed date in November.
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2. Captain America: Brave New World
Captain America: Brave New World was slated to be the next release from Marvel, before being rescheduled to prioritize Deadpool 3. Brave New World will explore Sam Wilson’s story after he assumes the mantle (or shield, in this case) of Captain America in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Reports suggest that the filming is complete, with only some reshoots and post-production works remaining.
Initially set to be released on May 3, 2024, and then delayed by Marvel to July 26, 2024, the movie might not experience further delays like Deadpool 3. But, given Marvel’s intentions to release Deadpool 3 first, Brave New World’s scheduled release date may change.
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3. Thunderbolts
Thunderbolts will see several former anti-heroes teaming up to work for Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. The movie, according to the director Jake Schreier, will explore the trauma that shaped these anti-heroes. The filming for Thunderbolts was all set to begin, before being hindered by the strikes. The movie will see the return of Sebastian Stan’s Winter Soldier and Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova.
The movie, like Brave New World, was already delayed by Marvel, when the studio pushed back its release date from July 26, 2024, to December 20, 2024. With the entire shooting delayed, likely, that the movie will not hit theatres before mid-2025, possibly as early as May.
4. Blade
Mahershala Ali will replace Wesley Snipes as the iconic Eric Brooks / Blade in Marvel’s new Blade movie. The announcement came back in 2019 and the character was even teased in the end credits scene of Eternals. The film was initially set to be directed by Bassam Tariq and a release date in November 2023 was also revealed. However, the director left the project, pushing the expected release date to September 6, 2024.
The date was further extended by Marvel to February 14, 2025. However, the strikes will delay the beginning of filming and the movie is expected to hit theatres only by July 2025.
With the strikes going on for a prolonged period, fans will have to wait for a long time to see Marvel’s redemption with its new movies.
