Disney is making some huge shifts to their MCU calendar. The studio has just announced updates for Phase 5 of the MCU, which has seen several films shifted almost an entire year and keeps the slate busy until 2027. Why is this happening, and when are the new movie dates?
MCU fans are used to some unexpected changes and shifts in the planned calendar for movies. Production issues, the COVID-19 pandemic and the writers' strike are some of the reasons that cause reshuffling. Yet the recent announcement of changing dates for almost the entire MCU calendar is a big deal, and there are myriad factors abounding.
First and foremost is the ongoing Writers Guild of America strike, which has curtailed all live-action production in Hollywood. With no end in sight, the strike may drag through the summer, meaning nothing can be filmed until it’s finally settled and thus delaying any MCU projects.
Another issue is that Phase 5 of the MCU was set to revolve around the time-traveling Kang, played by Jonathan Majors in Loki and Ant-Man and Wasp: Quantumania. However, Majors is now in the midst of an investigation of assaulting his girlfriend, so making him the focus of an entire movie franchise is more than a bit risky. Disney is likely to wait until any formal criminal charges are filed before a decision is made. This might include recasting the role.
All of this has combined to lead Disney to a huge shuffling of their MCU Phase 5 slate. Captain America: Brave New World is moving from May 3, 2024, to July 26, 2024, which in turn is delaying Thunderbolts to December 20, 2024, Blade to February 14, 2025, and Fantastic Four to May 2, 2025. Avengers: The Kang Dynasty is getting pushed back an entire year, from May 2, 2025, to May 1, 2026. It’s taking the place of Avengers: Secret Wars, which is jumping from May 1, 2026, to May 7, 2027.
It’s also likely some MCU TV shows, such as Echo, Ironheart, and Daredevil: Born Again, will also be delayed by the WGA strike, which may affect movies.
The new MCU Phase 5 movie schedule
So far, it still appears that The Marvels will premiere on November 10, 2023. Deadpool 3 is set to premiere on May 3, 2024, the former date for Captain America: Brave New World. Here’s how the new MCU Phase 5 movie calendar looks:
- The Marvels: November 10, 203
- Deadpool 3: May 3, 2024
- Captain America: Brave New World: July 26, 2024
- Thunderbolts: December 20, 2024
- Blade: February 14, 2025
- Fantastic Four: May 2, 2025
- Avengers: The Kang Dynasty: May 1, 2026
- Avengers: Secret Wars: May 7, 2027
There’s always a chance this new schedule sees even more delays (especially if the Screen Actors Guild goes on strike in July), but as it stands, MCU fans can still look forward to plenty of major projects coming over the next five years.