Marvel has had an incredible summer time to this point, having fun with the large success of Deadpool & Wolverine in theaters whereas gorgeous followers with its Comedian-Con and D23 bulletins. The previous was particularly thrilling as a result of it lastly gave us the affirmation we wanted. Robert Downey Jr. is returning to the MCU, but not as Iron Man. As a substitute, the actor will play Physician Doom within the retitled Avengers: Doomsday. On high of that, the Russo brothers are again to direct Doomsday and Secret Wars.
We then noticed the Thunderbolts* trailer and acquired our first look at Red Hulk (Harrison Ford) at D23. Nevertheless, Marvel stayed quiet about three different MCU adventures throughout these occasions: Spider-Man 4, Blade, and Armor Wars. Marvel couldn’t unveil the Spider-Man sequel by itself since that’s a Sony film. As for the opposite titles, we acquired no updates.
Quick-forward to early September, and an insider claims that Marvel will determine the fates of Blade and Armor Wars within the coming months. That suggests Marvel is contemplating canceling not less than one of many two movies, if not each. I’ll warn you that some MCU spoilers may observe under.
Daniel Richtman is the Marvel insider who apparently realized that Marvel will determine what to do about Blade and Armor Wars within the coming months.
As an MCU fan who has adopted intently the occasions within the Multiverse Saga, I’ll say that I’m completely happy Bob Iger acquired again at Disney. It’s clear that Marvel has been correcting course in recent times to enhance the standard of its films and TV exhibits. Deadpool & Wolverine is the very best proof of that.
I’d relatively have Marvel cancel movies and exhibits than oversaturate the viewers. Nevertheless, regardless of the delays, I used to be trying ahead to each of those films.
Will we get a brand new Blade?
The Blade reboot is very thrilling, contemplating that Marvel has been exploring the supernatural aspect of the MCU. We’ve Physician Unusual (Benedict Cumberbatch), Wanda (Elizabeth Olsen), Agatha (Kathryn Hahn), Moon Knight (Oscar Isaac), and Werewolf/Jack Russel (Gael Garcia Bernal) are among the superpowered people from this world.
Blade (Mahershala Ali) appeared within the Eternals credit scenes, however we solely heard the actor’s voice. The identical film additionally gave us a have a look at Black Knight (Package Harington). Then there’s Mephisto, a villain who ought to seem quickly.
However Blade has gone by means of annoying adjustments and delays that made followers marvel if the film will ever be made. Right here’s a recap from a mid-July Variety report:
5 years [after its 2019 announcement], nevertheless, Blade has weathered the COVID-19 pandemic and two main guild strikes, confronted three launch date adjustments, misplaced two administrators, and employed not less than a half dozen screenwriters in what might be probably the most protracted improvement course of ever for Disney’s superhero division.
Blade was additionally mocked in Deadpool 3, the place Wesley Snipes’ model of the character made a shocking cameo that audiences beloved. That “just one Blade†joke really made me ponder whether Marvel would cancel the film.
As it’s now, Blade has a November seventh, 2025, launch date, however it’s extremely unlikely the film will make that date.
The Secret Invasion plot twist
Shifting on to Armor Wars, I’ll additionally say I’d have beloved to see Struggle Machine (Don Cheadle) get its standalone film or TV present. This was speculated to be a Disney Plus TV collection earlier than Marvel turned it into a movie. Cheadle’s efficiency is without doubt one of the nice issues popping out of Secret Invasion, an MCU TV present that’s so dangerous I wouldn’t thoughts if it had been canceled.
However what occurred occurred, and Secret Invasion is now a part of the MCU. I like the plot twist that James Rhodes has been a Skrull since Captain America: Civil Struggle or round that point. Most MCU followers hated what this meant for Infinity Struggle and Endgame, however I believed it’s one thing Marvel may undoubtedly discover and clarify in Armor Wars.
To not point out that Armor Wars is the right approach to carry again among the Iron Man lore. It’s additionally a good way to Ironheart to the remainder of the MCU. We noticed Ironheart (Dominique Thorne) in Black Panther: Wakanda Endlessly, however her origin story would be the Disney Plus TV present. Rhodes would definitely be the sort of character who may mentor Riri Williams.
There’s additionally one other side to contemplate right here. Blade and Armor Wars each have Black leads. Marvel can’t cancel each of them. In spite of everything, Marvel simply changed the lead of Avengers 5 with RDJ as a result of Kang (Jonathan Majors) was not a viable choice.
All of that is hypothesis at this level. I’ll level out that Marvel has four MCU release dates with none films hooked up: February thirteenth and November sixth in 2026, and July twenty third and November fifth in 2027. One may go to Spider-Man 4. However this leaves Marvel with loads of room to suit each Blade and Armor Wars within the MCU.
