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Highlights from Marvel Studios’ presentation at San Diego Comic-Con

THERE was excitement in the air this weekend in Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con when Miss Minutes popped up to introduce Kevin Feige, president of Marvel Studios and chief creative officer of Marvel, who was joined on stage by moderator Ash Crossan to deliver Marvel Studios’ long-awaited live-action panel. 

Multiverse Saga: Two Avengers films to culminate the saga

– Courtesy of Disney
– Courtesy of Disney

Fans were the first to learn that Phases 4, 5 and 6 are officially part of the Multiverse Saga, which will conclude with two all-new Avengers films, including Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, releasing May 2, 2025, and Avengers: Secret Wars, which is slated for November 7, 2025. 

Phase 4: Trailers and talent introduced, plus stunning performance

Fans won’t have to wait long for the next Phase 4 title with She-Hulk: Attorney at Law debuting exclusively on Disney+ August 17. Directors Kat Coiro and Anu Valia, and head writer Jessica Gao, were joined by cast members Tatiana Maslany, Ginger Gonzaga and Jameela Jamil for a lively Q&A about the new series.

In Marvel Studios’ She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, Jennifer Walters (Tatiana Maslany) – an attorney specializing in superhuman-oriented legal cases – must navigate the complicated life of a single, 30-something who also happens to be a green 6-foot-7-inch superpowered hulk. 

Kevin Feige with the creatives and the leads of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. – Pic courtesy of Disney
Kevin Feige with the creatives and the leads of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. – Pic courtesy of Disney

The nine-episode comedy series welcomes a host of MCU vets, including Mark Ruffalo as Smart Hulk, Tim Roth as Emil Blonsky/the Abomination, and Benedict Wong as Wong, as well as Jameela Jamil, Ginger Gonzaga, Josh Segarra, Jon Bass and Renée Elise Goldsberry. 

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever capped the Hall H presentation to thunderous roars and applause, beginning with a live performance by Baaba Maal (vocals), Massamba Diop (tama) and dancers and drummers.

Feige was joined on stage by director Ryan Coogler and cast members Mabel Cadena, Michaela Cole, Winston Duke, Danai Gurira, Tenoch Huerta, Florence Kasumba, Alex Livinalli, Lupita Nyong’o, Dominique Thorne and Letitia Wright for a Q&A and first look at the film’s first trailer.  

In Marvel Studios’ Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett), Shuri (Letitia Wright), M’Baku (Winston Duke), Okoye (Danai Gurira) and the Dora Milaje (including Florence Kasumba), fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s death.

As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with the help of War Dog Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) and Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) and forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda. Introducing Tenoch Huerta as Namor, king of a hidden undersea nation, the film also stars Dominique Thorne, Michaela Coel, Mabel Cadena and Alex Livanalli. 

– Courtesy of Disney
– Courtesy of Disney

Feige also shared that the film is the final title in Phase 4. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever opens in Malaysian cinemas November 10.

Phase 5: Talent takes the stage, plus new titles and dates revealed

Feige revealed that Phase 5 kicks off in 2023 with Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania opening February 17, 2023. Director Peyton Reed and stars Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Jonathan Majors and Kathryn Newton engaged in a spirited Q&A with the host.

(L-R) Director Peyton Reed, Paul Rudd, Kathryn Newton, Jonathan Majors and Evangeline Lilly of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. – Pic courtesy of Disney
(L-R) Director Peyton Reed, Paul Rudd, Kathryn Newton, Jonathan Majors and Evangeline Lilly of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. – Pic courtesy of Disney

Epic in scale and tone, Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania is a sci-fi adventure that is decidedly unique to the franchise. Fans in the room were given a special look at the upcoming film.

Super Hero partners Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) and Hope Van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) return to continue their adventures as Ant-Man and The Wasp. Together, with Hope’s parents Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) and Janet Van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer), the family finds themselves exploring the Quantum Realm, interacting with strange new creatures and embarking on an adventure that will push them beyond the limits of what they thought was possible. 

Secret Invasion launches on Disney+ in Spring 2023. Cobie Smulders, who reprises her role of Maria Hill – a decorated spy and Nick Fury’s loyal #2 – was on hand to talk about the new show. To the audience’s delight, a clip was shown to give a glimpse of what’s in store.

Cobie Smulders, one of the stars of upcoming Disney+ show Secret Invasion. – Pic courtesy of Disney
Cobie Smulders, one of the stars of upcoming Disney+ show Secret Invasion. – Pic courtesy of Disney

Marvel Studios’ Secret Invasion stars Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury and Ben Mendelsohn as the Skrull Talos – characters who first met in Captain Marvel. They are joined by Kingsley Ben-Adir, Emilia Clarke, and Olivia Colman.

The crossover event series showcases a faction of shapeshifting Skrulls who have been infiltrating Earth for years.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 heads to theaters on May 5, 2023. There were a lot of Guardians on hand to dish about the highly anticipated third installment of Guardians of the Galaxy. 

With director James Gunn taking the lead, cast members Chris Pratt, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Sean Gunn, Will Poulter and Maria Bakalova took part in an engaging discussion. Chukwudi Iwuji arrived on stage in costume, revealing to excited fans that he’ll be portraying High Evolutionary in the film. The audience was treated to a special look at the upcoming feature film. 

(L-R) Marvel president Kevin Feige, along with writer-director James Gunn, Chris Pratt, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Sean Gunn, Will Poulter and Maria Bakalova. – Courtesy of Disney
(L-R) Marvel president Kevin Feige, along with writer-director James Gunn, Chris Pratt, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Sean Gunn, Will Poulter and Maria Bakalova. – Courtesy of Disney

In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 our beloved band of misfits are looking a bit different these days. Peter Quill, still reeling from the loss of Gamora, must rally his team around him to defend the universe along with protecting one of their own. A mission that, if not completed successfully, could quite possibly lead to the end of the Guardians as we know them.

– Courtesy of Disney
– Courtesy of Disney

New details emerged regarding a host of previously announced titles in Phase 5. Streaming exclusively on Disney+ in 2023 are highly anticipated series currently in production, including Echo, which is slated for Summer 2023; Loki Season 2, also debuting Summer 2023; and Ironheart, streaming Fall 2023. Agatha: Coven of Chaos begins filming later this year with a debut date in Winter 2023.

Phase 5 theatrical releases include The Marvels, directed by Nia DaCosta, which hits theaters July 28, 2023; and Blade, which begins shooting this October and opens in theaters Nov. 3, 2023. 

Feige revealed for the first time today a trio of captivating projects debuting in 2024 that garnered a huge response from fans.

  • Captain America: New World Order opens in theaters on May 3, 2024. 
  • Daredevil: Born Again an 18-episode season with Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio returning, streams on Disney+ in Spring 2024.
  • Thunderbolts featuring an exciting new group of heroes, is slated for theaters on July 26, 2024. 
– Courtesy of Disney
– Courtesy of Disney

Phase 6: Fantastic Four precedes new Avengers titles

Looking ahead, Phase 6 of the MCU promises compelling storytelling and Marvel Studios’ signature style of adventure.

  • Fantastic Four hits theaters on November 8, 2024. Production kicks off next year for the feature film that introduces Marvel’s most iconic family.
  • Avengers: The Kang Dynasty opens in theaters May 2, 2025. 
  • Avengers: Secret Wars is slated for release on November 7, 2025.