2021 was a big year for Marvel. With Spider-Man: No Way Home and the Disney+ shows coming out in full force, it seems like 2022 was some big shoes to fill. It seems like the year will be filled with some exciting and welcomed additions to the MCU. While some of these entries are subject to delays, here is everything confirmed to be released by Marvel Studios as of now.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
While the multiverse and its infinite possibilities were touched on thanks to several mishaps in the 2021 shows and films, this is where it will be cracked wide open. WandaVision, Loki, and Spider-Man: No Way Home all had characters messing with timelines and partaking in multiversal shenanigans, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse Of Madness will show the consequences. The multiverse will likely be heavily expanded on with projects released by Marvel in 2022, starting with the Doctor Strange sequel. The film is generating massive buzz due to the rumored cameos and Sam Raimi helming as director. As of now, not a ton is known about the plot, and hopefully, this will stay that way until release day. The film is due in theatres on May 6, 2022.
Thor: Love and Thunder
Thor: Ragnarok reinvented the MCU’s portrayal of the god of thunder in a more comedic light, and most agree this was the best possible direction to go. It looks as if this is the new norm for Thor, as the fourth installment looks to have a similar feel to it. Thor: Love and Thunder will follow Thor after he joined the Guardians of the Galaxy following Endgame. Natalie Portman will be returning as Jane Foster, this time as a variant of Thor. It looks as if all of the Guardians will be appearing in some form, and Taiki Waititi is returning both as Korg and director. The villain, Gorr the God Butcher, will be played by Christian Bale. The film is due to be released by Marvel in theatres on July 8, 2022.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
The sequel to the Oscar-winning smash hit Black Panther will carry on the legacy of the late Chadwick Boseman. The plot is being kept under wraps, but it is believed to focus on Wakanda and the impact T’Challa had. Marvel Studios has confirmed that Boseman will not be recast in the role. It could be assumed T’Challa has passed between movies and the role of Black Panther will be passed on to another character. Ryan Coogler will return as director, and several cast members are returning including Angela Bassett, Lupita Nyong’o, and Letitia Wright. As of now, the film is due to be released by Marvel in theatres on November 11, 2022.
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special
While fans are excited to see the third Guardians movie with the introduction of Adam Warlock, they have some Guardians goodness coming this year to tide them over. In the first one-off special to hit Disney+, The Guardians of the Galaxy will be receiving a holiday special. In what looks to be a parody of the dismal Star Wars Holiday Special from 1978, the special follows Groot as he returns to his home planet to celebrate the holidays. The primary cast is expected to return as well as James Gunn returning to write and direct. The special is expected to be released by Marvel in late 2022 on Disney+.
Moon Knight
One of the most requested MCU characters is finally getting his time to shine. Moon Knight will follow Oscar Issac as Marc Spector, a mercenary with a dissociative identity disorder. Spector is chosen by an Egyptian god to become the titular Moon Knight. Fans have been clamoring for Moon Knight to appear in the MCU for years, and a show is a perfect way to do it. The trailer looks to have an almost horror aspect to it, and it has caused immense excitement. Along with Oscar Issac, May Calamawy and Ethan Hawke are confirmed to appear. The directors will be Mohamed Diab along with Justin Benson and Aaron Moorehead. The show will be released later this year on Disney+ with a release date TBA.
She-Hulk
While it is unlikely the Hulk will receive another solo MCU project, his cousin will. She-Hulk follows Jennifer Walters as she has to deal with the struggles of being a lawyer and the consequences that come from a blood transfusion from her cousin, Bruce Banner. Because of Banner’s radiated blood, Walters has to deal with a similar, albeit easier to control transformation. Tatiana Maslany will be playing the titular character with Mark Ruffalo returning as Bruce Banner/The Hulk. The series will be directed by Kat Coiro and Anu Valia. The show will be released later this year on Disney+ with a release date TBA.
Ms. Marvel
Captain Marvel and the newly superpowered Monica Rambeau will join forces in 2023’s The Marvels. Joining them will be Kamala Khan who is receiving her own self-titled series streaming later this year. This series is already breaking new ground, because it will focus on the Kamala Khan version of the character, making this the first superhero project with a Muslim lead. Not a ton is known about the show, but it looks to be an origin story of Khan that will lead to her fighting alongside her hero, Captain Marvel. Iman Vellani will play the titular hero, with Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah slated to direct. It is unknown if either Carol Danvers or Monica Rambeau will appear, although this is likely. The show will launch on Disney+ with a release date in mid-2022.
Secret Invasion
Another show that will seemingly tie into the Captain Marvel sequel is Secret Invasion. The show will follow Nick Furry as he helps the Skrulls in space. The show will be an adaptation of the comic series of the same name, although it will likely be on a much smaller scale and likely not feature as many heroes. Samuel L. Jackson will be reprising his role as ex-SHIELD director Nick Fury, with Ben Mendelsohn returning as Talos. Good on its name, the plot hasn’t been fully revealed. Fans can assume that it will have some serious repercussions on the MCU going forward. Secret Invasion will launch later in 2022 on Disney+ with a release date TBA.
