Marvel Studios made their triumphant return to San Diego Comic-Con this year with a massive 90-minute presentation in Hall H, where studio chief Kevin Feige announced the films and TV shows that will encompass the next two years of content from Marvel.
THE ETERNALS
Feige kicked off with an overview of the feature film The Eternals, an exciting new team of Super Heroes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Feige introduced the director, Chloé Zhao, followed by stars from the film, including Richard Madden as Ikaris, Kumail Nanjiani as Kingo, Lauren Ridloff as Makkari, Brian Tyree Henry as Phastos, Salma Hayek as Ajak, Lia McHugh as Sprite, Don Lee as Gilgamesh and Angelina Jolie as Thena.
The Eternals will make their Marvel Cinematic Universe debut in theaters on November 6, 2020.
THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER
Feige brought news on the Disney+ original series The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, which pairs up two of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s most popular heroes—Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes—in a series of action-filled adventures as they fight together against evil after the events of Avengers: Endgame.
Anthony Mackie (The Falcon) and Sebastian Stan (The Winter Soldier) came on stage to greet the fans, and it was revealed that Daniel Brühl will return as the villain, Baron Zemo.
The Falcon and The Winter Soldier is set to debut on Disney+ in the fall of 2020.
SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS
Feige spoke about the feature film Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and detailed how the legend has been hinted at in the MCU films since the first Iron Man.
In an unanticipated surprise for all, Kevin Feige then announced the confirmed casting of Simu Liu in the title role of Shang-Chi and both the actor and the director, Destin Daniel Cretton, came on stage to greet the audience. Feige also shared with the audience the casting of Awkwafina in a yet-to-be-disclosed role. Then, Feige revealed to the Hall H audience that the real Mandarin will be played by celebrated Chinese actor Tony Leung.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings will be in theaters on February 12, 2021.
WANDAVISION
Next, Feige offered the latest on WandaVision, a Disney+ original series where Paul Bettany reprises the role of Vision and Elizabeth Olsen returns to her role of Wanda Maximoff.
Bettany and Olsen were joined on stage by MCU newcomer Teyonah Parris, and Feige announced that Parris will be playing the grown-up version of Monica Rambeau, who was introduced to audiences in Captain Marvel.
WandaVision premieres on Disney+ in the spring of 2021.
LOKI
Feige offered news on Loki, a Marvel Studios original series streaming on Disney+ in the spring of 2021. Tom Hiddleston—back in his role of the mercurial Loki, the god of mischief and everyone’s favorite villain—received a huge welcome from fans when Feige invited him onto the stage.
Then to the delight of the audience, Hiddleston answered the biggest question from Avengers: Endgame: “Where did Loki go when he took the Space Stone?” The answer: Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con.
DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS
Feige introduced the second film in the Doctor Strange franchise, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and called the director, Scott Derrickson, and star Benedict Cumberbatch to the stage to a rousing welcome.
In a surprise twist, Feige brought out Elizabeth Olsen, who also stars in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and revealed that WandaVision connects directly to the feature-film storyline.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness hits theaters on May 7, 2021.
WHAT IF…?
Feige offered new information on What If…?, the first animated series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. What If…? is being created exclusively for Disney+ and features stories that present alternate realities in the Marvel universe.
Feige mentioned that many actors from across the Marvel Cinematic Universe will reprise their roles as voice talent in the series. He then surprised the audience by bringing Jeffrey Wright to the stage and introducing him as the voice of the popular character The Watcher in the new series.
What If…? joins the Disney+ lineup in the summer of 2021.
HAWKEYE
Jeremy Renner entered through the crowd in Hall H and made his way to the stage to give exciting news about Hawkeye, including a confirmation that Kate Bishop, a character well-known in Marvel comics, will be an integral part of the series.
Hawkeye launches on Disney+ in the fall of 2021.
THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER
Feige invited Taika Waititi, Chris Hemsworth, and Tessa Thompson onstage to discuss Thor: Love and Thunder, and Waititi dropped a bombshell when he revealed the film would be influenced by Jason Aaron’s run on the comics and that Jane Foster, played by Natalie Portman, will become the Mighty Thor, the goddess of Thunder.
Thor: Love and Thunder hits theaters on November 5, 2021.
BLACK WIDOW
Feige officially announced the feature film Black Widow, which is slated for a May 1, 2020 release in U.S. theaters, making it the first film of Phase Four to hit the big screen. He also surprised the audience with the first footage from “Black Widow,” which is currently in production.
The film is directed by Cate Shortland, who was on hand to greet the Hall H audience along with Scarlett Johansson, reprising her role of Natasha Romanoff, as well as MCU newcomers David Harbour as Alexei aka The Red Guardian, Florence Pugh as Yelena, O-T Fagbenle as Mason and Rachel Weisz as Melina.
BLADE
Following the Black Widow presentation, Feige had another big surprise up his sleeve for the enthusiastic Hall H crowd. After sidestepping talks about the Fantastic Four and the introduction of mutants to the MCU — “all of those have been rumored” — he welcomes two-time Academy Award nominee Mahershala Ali to the stage, who revealed he would be starring in the feature-length film, Blade.
Photo Credit: Brent Hankins