'Blade', Natalie Portman as a female 'Thor', 'The Eternals' and much more.
As this weekend is San Diego Comic-Con, there was always going to be some announcements from Marvel Studios on the way - but not as many as this.
Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige arrived in Hall H and announced a number of movies for the coming years, effectively mapping out Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as well as some of Marvel's offerings for Disney+, the House of Mouse's answer to Netflix.
There's that much news, in fact, that we don't even know where to begin - but let's start with the stuff that's been confirmed for Marvel's Phase 4.
Taika Waititi announced the title for 'Thor 4' as 'Thor: Love & Thunder', and confirmed that Natalie Portman will be playing Lady Thor. This is a huge deal, primarily because A) Natalie Portman was more or less thought be done with the Marvel Cinematic Universe and B) nobody was expecting Lady Thor to be a thing. 'Thor: Love & Thunder' has been set for a release date of November 5th, 2021.
Just announced in Hall H at #SDCC, Marvel Studios’ THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER with Chris Hemsworth, Tessa Thompson, and Natalie Portman. Taika Waititi returns as director. In theaters November 5, 2021. pic.twitter.com/Lq4hM8GSRV
— Marvel Entertainment (@Marvel) July 21, 2019
Moving on, 'The Eternals' was officially announced with a release date set for November 6th, 2020. What's more, the full cast of characters was announced - Angelina Jolie as Thena, Salma Hayek as Ajak, Dong-seok Ma as Gilgamesh, Lia McHugh as Sprite, Kumail Nanjiani as Kingo, Brian Tyree Henry as Phastos, Lauren Ridloff as Makkari and Richard Madden as Ikaris. Again, no story details were announced, but expect more details in the coming weeks and months on this one.
Just announced in Hall H at #SDCC, Marvel Studios’ THE ETERNALS with Angelina Jolie, Richard Madden, Kumail Nanjiani, Lauren Ridloff, Brian Tyree Henry, Salma Hayek, Lia McHugh, and Don Lee. Directed by Chloé Zhao. In theaters November 6, 2020. pic.twitter.com/inn67bSZiM
— Marvel Entertainment (@Marvel) July 21, 2019
Next up, the sequel to 'Doctor Strange' was announced as 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' with a release date for May 7th, 2022. Scott Derrickson is back as director along with Benedict Cumberbatch, obviously. However, it looks like Elisabeth Olsen will be the villain as Scarlet Witch / Wanda Maximoff if the official synopsis is anything to go by. Given how it's Derrickson's second run at the character, there's a chance you might see a bit more of a horror spin on this one.
Just announced in Hall H at #SDCC, Marvel Studios’ DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS with Benedict Cumberbatch and Elizabeth Olsen. Scott Derrickson returns as director. In theaters May 7, 2021. pic.twitter.com/bVyOYjPLly
— Marvel Entertainment (@Marvel) July 21, 2019
Moving on, 'Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings' was announced with Canadian-Chinese actor Simu Liu set to play the first Asian superhero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Liu will play the so-called Master of Kung Fu, Shang-Chi, alongside Awkwafina and Hong Kong action star Tony Leung as the Mandarin. 'Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings' is set for release on February 12th, 2021.
Just announced in Hall H at #SDCC, Marvel Studios’ SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS, with Simu Liu, Awkwafina, and Tony Leung, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton. In theaters February 12, 2021. pic.twitter.com/WePmw8d5Gq
— Marvel Entertainment (@Marvel) July 21, 2019
The cast of 'Black Widow' was also announced, with a release date set for May 1st, 2020. Scarlett Johansson's super-spy will be joined by Rachel Weisz, Ray Winstone, Florence Pugh, David Harbour and 'The Handmaid's Tale' alum O-T Fagbenle. Some footage for the movie was shown, however none of it has made its way online so far in an official capacity.
Just announced in Hall H at #SDCC, Marvel Studios’ BLACK WIDOW with Scarlett Johansson, David Harbour, Florence Pugh, O-T Fagbenle, and Rachel Weisz. Directed by Cate Shortland. In theaters May 1, 2020. pic.twitter.com/oyUvYdzF3P
— Marvel Entertainment (@Marvel) July 21, 2019
As for the Disney+ Phase 4 offerings, 'Loki', 'Falcon and Winter Soldier' and 'WandaVision' were both confirmed with release dates - but no footage has yet to surface online for all three of them. 'Falcon and Winter Soldier' arrives in the latter part of 2020, while 'Loki' and 'WandaVision' is set to drop on Disney+ in the spring of 2021. Again, expect more details on these in the months ahead. A surprise announcement for Disney+, however, was the confirmation that a 'Hawkeye' series is coming and will drop in the latter part of 2021.
Just announced in Hall H at #SDCC, Marvel Studios’ THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER, an original series with Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, and Daniel Brühl. Streaming exclusively on Disney+, Fall 2020. pic.twitter.com/COes9WV7Wv
— Marvel Entertainment (@Marvel) July 21, 2019
Just announced in Hall H at #SDCC, Marvel Studios’ HAWKEYE with Jeremy Renner, an original series that will also introduce Kate Bishop. Streaming exclusively on Disney+, Fall 2021. pic.twitter.com/n2u6G4i4iG
— Marvel Entertainment (@Marvel) July 21, 2019
Just announced in Hall H at #SDCC, Marvel Studios’ LOKI, an original series with Tom Hiddleston. Streaming exclusively on Disney+, Spring 2021. pic.twitter.com/lDqAWtIE0u
— Marvel Entertainment (@Marvel) July 21, 2019
Just announced in Hall H at #SDCC, Marvel Studios' WANDAVISION, an original series with Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany, and Teyonah Parris. Streaming exclusively on Disney+, Spring 2021. pic.twitter.com/mDgxZVW3BF
— Marvel Entertainment (@Marvel) July 21, 2019
Finally, the biggest announcement out of Hall H this year was one that was kept well under wraps and no doubt was only just signed in a couple of days before it was announced last night. Two-time Oscar winner Mahershala Ali has been announced as taking on the role of Blade, made famous by Wesley Snipes. No director, cast or release date was announced - but the prospect of an actor as prestigious as Mahershala Ali in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is pretty special.
Just announced in Hall H at #SDCC, Marvel Studios’ BLADE with Mahershala Ali. pic.twitter.com/JPcrSqSerW
— Marvel Entertainment (@Marvel) July 21, 2019
And, as a final note, Feige also confirmed that plans are underway for 'X-Men', but stopped short of details.
All in all, a lot of news to digest.