Marvel Studios dropped its upcoming lineup for not only film, but also Disney+ at SDCC's Hall H. With a couple little tidbits, actors, dates, & online big surprise to me in a certain half-vampire vampire slayer. Here's what they’re coming with:
First & foremost the one we probably have heard the most about, Marvel Studios' THE ETERNALS with Angelina Jolie, Richard Madden, Kumai Nanjiani, Lauren Ridloff, Brian Tyree Henry, Salma Hayek, Lia McHugh and Don Lee. Directed by Chlo Zhao, we now have a date of November 6, 2020. This might be the one I'm the most curious about. It has the potential to really set up the next phase of Marvel.
Next up, Shang-Chi & the Legend of the Ten Rings. With Simu Liu as Shang-Li, Awkwafina in an undisclosed role, & Tony Leung as the real Mandarin. Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton with a date of February 12th, 2021. I was excited for this just as a kung-fu film. Now with this real Mandarin news I can’t wait for this one.
Scarlett Johansson will reprise her role of Natasha Romanoff. Cate Shortland directs the film, which also features David Harbour as Alexei, aka The Red Guardian; Florence Pugh as Yelena; O-T Fagbenle as Mason; and Rachel Weisz as Melina. It has a date of May 1st, 2020, & my big question is if this is a prequel, what effect will it have on the current state of the MCU?
On November 5th 2021, we've got a new God of Thunder coming, or should I say Goddess. Natalie Portman joined director Taika Waititi, Chris Hemsworth, and Tessa Thompson on stage, wielding Thor’s hammer as it was revealed that her character, Jane Foster, will become the Mighty Thor in the next installment in the Thor franchise. Straight out of the comics, I'm not sure what to think of this one. The run with Jane as Thor was great, & if they can capture that it could be real special. I’m expecting some fallout with this announcement.
Doctor Strange will be returning May 7th 2021, & even more. This time around he will be joined by Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch. Elizabeth Olsen revealed that Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will have a direct connection to the Disney+ series WandaVision, which we'll mention later. Benedict Cumberbatch stars once again as Doctor Stephen Strange and Scott Derrickson returns to direct. Doctor Strange was a big surprise for me. I wasn't expecting to love it as much as I did. Knowing everyone is coming back plus some, has me highly anticipating this one.
No date for this one, but it has me super pumped. The first Blade is one of my all time favorite films. This time around Mahershala Ali will star as the title character, who in Marvel comics is a half-human/half-vampire who protects mortals from the undead. Loved & have been watching Ali since Luke Cage. Where I said he basically played Wesley Snipes' Nino Brown from New Jack City. Now we get to see him fall into an actual Snipes role with Blade.
Next up was the Disney+ lineup. With Marvel confirming some titles for the upcoming streaming service. Fall 2020 sees The Falcon & the Winter Soldier. Where we’ll see Sam Wilson (The Falcon) and Bucky Barnes (The Winter Soldier) embark on a new chapter, post Endgame. Anthony Mackie (The Falcon) and Sebastian Stan (The Winter Soldier) will be joined by Daniel Brühl returning as Civil War villain Baron Zemo. Spring 2021 will bring us Wandavision. Here we follow fan-favorites Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch and Vision, played by Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany. However it was revealed in Hall H they'll be joined by an adult Monica Rambeau. Who, if you're keeping score is the daughter of Maria Rambeau from Captain Marvel, played by MCU newcomer Teyonah Parris. This was the lowest thing on my list, but now knowing it has some effect on the second installment of Doctor Strange, it's moved itself higher. Loki will join us Spring 2021. Tom Hiddleston will reprise the role, & hopefully we find put what happened when he stole back the space stone in the past as seen in Endgame. Talk about perfect set up. Jeremy Renner was on hand to reveal the Fall 2021 series’ title, & let us know, a popular Marvel comics character will be an integral part of the series. Can’t wait to see who will be joining Clint & daughter Kate? I’m a big fan of Renner in this role. Very curious where this one's going. Last but certainly not least we have a series I'm highly anticipating, What If?. Summer 2021 we get to visit alternate realities with Jeffrey Wright voicing The Watcher. Marvel Studios is assembling a stellar voice cast from across the Marvel Cinematic Universe to reprise their roles as voice talent. This was one of my favorite comic titles as a kid. All in all, these are some amazing announcements, plagued by the fact that we had already heard murmurs of just about all of them. The Blade thing's probably the only real surprise of this whole announcement. Other than giving us a lineup. According to Screen Rant, quickly at the end of the panel Feige also confirmed Black Panther 2, Guardians of the Galaxy 3, Captain Marvel 2, & The Fantastic Four. Stating that there wasn't enough time to talk mutants. No time lines makes me think those are outside the 2 yr marks of all this stuff we just got dates for though. I was thinking there was going to he a few more surprises, but I've got this feeling there's a reason they’re playing a shorter game. Only giving us 2 years out. I am really intrigued with what I'm hearing. I'm figuring there will be a overarching storyline to weave all these starting to develop. I can tell it's something they’re not trying to give an inkling on. What about y'all? What are y'all's thoughts? Put ‘em in the comments, like, & share.