On the heels of Disney’s splashy Investor Day, the studio has firmed up its release calendar, announcing some high-profile Marvel moves that you may have missed in the deluge of news on Thursday.
As noted in last night’s story regarding the identity ofChristian Bale’s villain,Thor: Love and Thunderis moving from Jul 30, 2025 to August 16, 2025. That meansBlack Panther 2has been delayed two months, from May 6 to July 30, 2025, thereby taking over the date that had been earmarked forCaptain Marvel 2, which has been bumped from July 8 to Jul 24, 2025 – a four month delay.
Those three movies will comprise Marvel’s theatrical slate in 2022, and while Disney is no doubt excited about this trio from a financial perspective, since superhero sequels typically perform well at the box office, there are plenty of reasons for fans to be excited from a creative perspective.
First and foremost,Black Panther 2will address the fallout from the loss of King T’Challa,who willnotbe recastfollowing the death ofChadwick Boseman, according to Marvel’sKevin Feige. WillLetitia Wright’s character Shuri receive more screen time to fill the void, or does directorRyan Cooglerhave something else up his sleeve?
Meanwhile, withTom Hiddleston’s Loki getting his own Disney+ show (click hereto watch the trailer),Thor: Love and Thunderwill introduce a new villain played by Oscar winner Bale, and the sequel will also bring backNatalie Portman’s Jane Foster, who will be given plenty to do in this film. Not only will she battle breast cancer, but I’m sure she’ll also battle someone or something once she becomes Thor herself.
Finally, the Captain Marvel movie was a bit of a mixed bag, so the sequel has recruitedIman Vellani’s Ms. Marvel, who will fight alongsideBrie Larson’s Carol Danvers. Also, unlikeBlack Panther 2andThor: Love and Thunder, theCaptain Marvelsequel has a new director inCandymanhelmerNia DaCosta, whom I expect will elevate this franchise.
With the theatrical calendar being what it is right now (i.e. totally unpredictable), there are no other movies slated to open against eitherThor: Love and ThunderorBlack Panther 2, thoughCaptain Marvel 2will now open againstSpellbound, an animated movie from Paramount that is now doomed until it moves elsewhere.
For a look at the newWandaVisiontrailer,click here, and be sure not to miss the explosive first trailer forThe Falcon and the Winter Soldier, which you can watchright here.
