Introduction: Clear signs should precede any official announcements: Marvel fans must brace themselves for upcoming shifts. In mid-June, six films from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) faced postponement, and now, enthusiasts must prepare for another wave of delays. This comes as no surprise, given the ongoing strikes within Hollywood’s actors’ and screenwriters’ unions. However, there is a possibility that a title initially slated for release this year might be affected.
Current Situation: While no further MCU shifts have received official confirmation, it is surprising that Disney’s latest quarterly report omits two Marvel titles entirely: “Echo,” initially set to debut on November 29, 2023, as the first MCU series to release all episodes at once, and “Deadpool 3,” scheduled for a May 1, 2024, premiere in German cinemas. Strikingly, “Echo” is absent from the upcoming series list for Disney+, even though several titles lacking start dates are mentioned. Similarly, “Deadpool 3” is nowhere to be found among the listed films, unlike the supposedly later releases of “Planet of the Apes: New Kingdom” and “Inside Out 2,” set for May 24 and June 14, 2024, respectively.
Implications: Could “Echo” alleviate the impact of the strikes on Marvel fans? The fact that two MCU titles were overlooked seems more like more than a mere coincidence, pointing toward possible postponements. Regarding “Deadpool 3,” the interruption in filming due to the actors’ strike isn’t unexpected. On the other hand, the Echo spin-off from Hawkeye completed filming in August 2022, as reported by leading actress Alaqua Cox (via ComicBook.com). Unless reshoots are planned, the series should remain unaffected by the strikes.
It’s plausible that Disney aims to utilize “Echo” to fill the void left by other shifts. In the event that “Deadpool 3” cannot maintain its theatrical release date, there will be a gap of over eight months between the conclusion of “Loki” season 2 and “The Marvels” (German theatrical release: November 8, 2023), lasting until the potential release of “Captain America: Brave New World” on July 24, 2024. One potential strategy could be relocating the third new MCU project, “Echo,” from November 2023 to March 2024, thereby lessening the impending hiatus.
Future Developments: Whether these considerations align with the decisions of those in charge remains uncertain until an official announcement is made. Fans should also take note that the theatrical release of “The Marvels” might not be set in stone. Warner Bros., for instance, is reportedly contemplating the postponement of certain 2023 film releases due to the ongoing actors’ strike. This decision isn’t attributed to the need for further filming, but rather the restriction on stars promoting their projects. Studios naturally desire their major titles to maximize success. Thus, the unfolding of these events is sure to captivate our curiosity.
