With Marvel launching Phase Six last month through the highly anticipated The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which has grossed over 0 million to date, the studio is striving to gain significant momentum. While this financial figure is respectable, it doesn’t quite meet the expectations Marvel had set. Looking ahead, next summer will introduce Spider-Man: Brand New Day, paving the way for the two upcoming Avengers films—Doomsday and Secret Wars—slated for release in December 2026 and 2027, respectively. What additional strategies will Marvel implement to build anticipation for their future projects?
Currently, it appears that Black Panther 3 is emerging as a top priority for Marvel Studios, with Ryan Coogler returning as director. Notably, Denzel Washington is expected to join the cast, adding star power to the highly anticipated sequel. Given the immense success of Coogler’s recent film, Sinners, which outperformed even Marvel’s own Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts at the box office, this is precisely the kind of buzz that Marvel desires as they move forward after the Avengers double feature.
Moreover, we must highlight the upcoming X-Men movie, which is set to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In terms of casting, Variety has reported that the intention is to assemble a younger ensemble to “keep the cost down”. Director Jake Schreier recently shared insights, stating, “What I can say is, it’s just inherently interesting and complex material… The core idea of what ‘X-Men’ is involves complexity. It’s an incredible opportunity with super interesting characters and internal conflict. These characters are wrestling with their identity and place in the world—that’s inherently interesting and complex material.” This perspective emphasizes the rich narrative potential that the X-Men franchise holds.
As we look ahead to these exciting projects, one must consider the status of other confirmed titles within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The production of Blade has faced numerous delays, leading many to wonder if the project is effectively shelved, despite reports confirming that Mahershala Ali is still attached to the role. In terms of Deadpool 4, it seems far from being an immediate concern for Marvel, as Variety has indicated that, “Amid an industrywide pullback on superheroes, the Marvel brain trust is feeling no sense of urgency on the long-gestating ‘Blade’ reboot or even a new ‘Deadpool’ outing.” This statement raises questions about the future direction of these beloved characters.
What do you think Marvel should prioritize as they continue to roll out Phase Six? Are you enthusiastic about integrating the X-Men into the MCU, or do you believe it’s time to finally see Blade make his long-awaited return?
