Marvel Studios Shifts Dates for ‘Blade’, ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’, ‘Deadpool 3’, and ‘Fantastic Four’
Marvel Studios makes some moves as they shift some pivotal films into new release dates.
Marvel Studios continues to expand the Marvel Cinematic Universe with new projects that range from feature films to Disney+ series to special presentations. With all these projects, non-COVID production delays are bound to occur.
This brings us to Blade, the film that has caused a shift in the MCU timeline — for the better. Blade’s recent production issues have come to light. Marvel Studios fired director Bassim Tariq and hired X-Men ’97 scribe Beau DeMayo to rewrite the script. Now, Blade is paused as Marvel Studios takes its time to find a director and fine-tune the story. Blade was supposed to start production this November, and it was supposed to release in November 3, 2023.
‘Blade’ Moves from November 3, 2023, to September 6, 2024
Blade’s delay created a ripple effect in the Marvel Studios' schedule. The film will now premiere on September 6, 2024. It is likely production will begin on Blade in Spring/Summer 2023. Marvel Studios has to find its director as they attempt to get this one right. Blade will now conclude Phase 5 of the Multiverse Saga — at least on the film side.
‘Deadpool 3' Moves from September 6, 2024, to November 8, 2024
Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool will now make his MCU debut in November 2024. Deadpool 3 will also mark the return of Hugh Jackman as Wolverine. Shawn Levy is set to direct.
‘Fantastic Four’ Moves from November 8, 2024, to February 14, 2025
Fantastic Four which is the first film of Marvel Studios Phase 6 was set to premiere on November 8, 2024. Now it will premiere on February 14, 2025. WandaVision director Matt Shakman is set to direct. Casting for the Fantastic Four is ongoing. The film that follows Fantastic Four in 2025 is… Avengers: The Kang Dynasty.
‘Avengers: Secret Wars’ Moves from November 7, 2025, to May 1, 2026
The culmination of the Multiverse Saga was intended to premiere on November 7, 2025, just six months after Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. Thankfully, the major crossover event has been pushed to May 1, 2026, allowing a full year in between The Kang Dynasty and Secret Wars. Marvel Studios has four-ish years to get fans ecstatic for this saga-concluding Avengers event.
Is The Delay of ‘Blade’ A Blessing in Disguise?
Blade moving back almost a full year gives Marvel Studios more time to get the story right. The delay also is a blessing in disguise for Marvel Studios. The Marvels premieres on July 28, 2023, and then there won’t be another Marvel Studios film in theaters for nine months until Captain America: New World Order in May 2024. Sure, we may have a plethora of Marvel Studios Disney+ series come out during the nine-month stretch but the wait and anticipation for a new Marvel Studios film will grow even larger with a nine-month break.
The Blade delay moved Fantastic Four into 2025 but that gives that film more time to develop. The biggest benefit of the Blade delay may be the fact that Avengers: Secret Wars got delayed into 2026. Visual effect workers can rejoice as there won’t be two Avengers films in one year. Folks at Disney Headquarters can also take a sigh of relief knowing they have two guaranteed hits for 2025 and now 2026. Fans can also rejoice and take in their own sigh of relief as the two Avengers films will have some breathing room from each other.
Everything happens for a reason, even if it’s just a delay for Blade.
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Zach Perilstein is the Editor-in-Chief of the Boardwalk Times
