Marvel has shifted its release schedule for upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe films.
Per Deadline, Marvel has moved its 2022 slate of films as anticipation builds for its upcoming film “Eternals.”
Here are the new release dates for upcoming MCU films:
- “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” — May 6, 2022.
- “Thor: Love and Thunder” — July 8, 2022.
- “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” — Nov. 11, 2022.
- “The Marvels” — Feb. 17, 2023.
- “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” — July 28, 2023.
According to Deadline, the changes do not have to do with the global box office numbers or the future of movie theaters. Rather, it’s about the production schedule.
- “It’s all on account of a domino effect going on with production and filmmakers,” according to Deadline. “Some titles are contending with finishing scenarios while others are in production. This is how Disney is solving it, and when you come to think of it, most of the dates were already reserved by the studio for Marvel fare; they’re just moving titles from one slot to the next.
Interestingly, the Marvel schedule had an untitled film scheduled for Oct. 7, 2022, but that doesn’t appear to be the case anymore.
Overall, the changes widen the gap between “Spiderman 3: No Way Home,” which comes out on Dec. 17, 2021, and “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.” Originally, “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” was set for release in March. But it has been moved back two months. We know Doctor Strange is set to appear in the new “Spider-Man” flick, so there’s some indication the film will have tied to the new “Doctor Strange” movie. With an extra-long gap now, the anticipation for the new movie will build even more.
Marvel’s next movie, though, will be “Eternals,” which drops on Nov. 5. Following that, MCU fans will turn their attention to Disney+ to watch the series “Hawkeye,” which will be released Nov. 24.