Marvel Phase 7 is set to begin after Avengers: Secret Wars. The rumored list of movies kicking off the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s new era reveals the studio’s biggest problem.
There are only three movies left in the MCU’s Phase 6: Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Avengers: Doomsday, and Avengers: Secret Wars. After Secret Wars concludes in December 2027, the Multiverse Saga will be complete.
Next up for Marvel will be Phase 7, billed as the Mutant Saga. Marvel has reserved multiple dates in 2028 and 2029, but those movies have not been announced. Alex Perez of The Cosmic Circus provided a rumored list of movies that Marvel is focusing on post-Secret Wars.
“Marvel’s movie focus right now is on Black Panther 3, Shang-Chi 2, Spider-Man 5, the X-Men, Thunderbolts* sequel, Blade, Midnight Sons, and the next Avengers title,” Perez wrote in a Q&A.
How MCU Phase 7 movies reflect a safer Marvel strategy
Some of these rumored movies should not come as a surprise. Ryan Coogler has spoken at length about his plans to work on Black Panther 3 after his X-Files reboot. The X-Men have been teased for years, and bringing these characters into the fold during the Mutant aga makes sense.
Spider-Man 5 and Avengers 7 are no-brainers because of their financial benefits. Blade has been in development for a long time, so it’s only right that Marvel sees it through. The same thing goes for the Shang-Chi sequel. The Thunderbolts* sequel is a bit surprising, but it was well-received critically despite underperforming at the box office.
The only unknown on that list is Midnight Sons, but it’s a team-up movie that typically includes familiar characters like Blade, Moon Knight, and Ghost Rider.
The common theme with this rumored list is familiarity. Marvel is prioritizing proven hits and sequels for its future. The studio is trying its best to reduce risk and play it safer now that the days of Guardians of the Galaxy grossing over $770 million and Captain Marvel eclipsing $1.1 billion are over.
Marvel has had to eventize their films post-COVID. Hence, they have two Avengers movies in 12 months with familiar stars like Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, and Chris Hemsworth. Most of the rumored Phase 7 lineup feels like big movies that could be financial hits. For now, this is the way forward for Marvel.
Originally reported by Dan Girolamo for SuperHeroHype.
