Marvel fans were left reeling after the major announcements that were made this weekend at San Diego Comic-Con – with one major surprise leaving us all confused (with a collective “huh?”) after the reveal.
Keeping up with all the upcoming Marvel movies and series is now more than just a hobby. With the ever-expanding multiverse that is the MCU and the ouster of a major villain who was supposed to dictate the next phase of the superhero franchise, Marvel entered Hall H on Saturday eager to get started.
Marvel mastermind Kevin Feige gave the presentation to SDCC attendees, bringing out a host of special guests from upcoming films. From the all-new Fantastic Four: First Steps movie to celebrating the success of Deadpool & Wolverine to the return of the Russo Brothers, here’s everything you need to know:
Deadpool and Wolverine
Kicking off with a celebration of the final and only Marvel movie coming in 2024, Feige was joined by Rob Delaney aka Peterpool to deliver the presentation.
It has been revealed that Deadpool & Wolverine has already broken box office records for an R-rated theatrical release, with the film pushing the MCU past the $30 billion mark at the box office with 34 films in the franchise.
While the showcase didn’t stop there, I’m not one to spoil the film’s success and surprise appearances, so stay off social media if you haven’t seen it yet. Starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, and directed by Shawn Levy, Deadpool & Wolverine is now in theaters.
Fantastic Four: First Steps
For one of the most anticipated films — or rather the remake — Feige was joined by director Matt Shakman and Marvel’s first family reunited on stage for the first time: Pedro Pascal (Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic), Vanessa Kirby (Sue Storm/The Invisible Woman), Joseph Quinn (Johnny Storm/The Human Torch) and Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Ben Grimm/The Thing).
Feige revealed that the film will begin production on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, and revealed the film’s full title: Fantastic Four: Beginning. The cast also revealed a snippet of the film’s plot, and that we’ll see Galactus and Silver Surfer, two classic Fantastic Four villains, targeting Earth for destruction.
“We’re making a retro-future ’60s movie. Syd Mead (the industrialist) was an inspiration. The ’60s, to me, is about optimism,” Shakman told fans in Hall H. “I love the Fantastic Four. I love their power set. We want to stay true to the comics, but we want to stay true to life.”
Hall H then got a closer look at the film, with the Fantasticar circling above the crowd. Fantastic Four: Beginning is set to hit theaters on July 25, 2025.
Captain America: Brave New World
Sam Wilson’s Captain America is finally making his MCU film debut in Captain America: Brave World, and star Anthony Mackie was on stage at SDCC to show off exclusive footage from the new film, which is set to be released on February 14, 2025.
Captain America: Brave New World follows Sam, who, after meeting the new US President Thaddeus Ross, finds himself in the middle of an international incident. Sam must uncover the reason behind a nefarious global conspiracy before the real mastermind turns the world red.
Joining Mackie were Tim Blake Nelson, Danny Ramirez, and Giancarlo Esposito, who will now play Sidewinder. Disney legend Harrison Ford also joined them on stage, set to make his MCU debut as President Thaddeus Ross in the film, taking over for the late William Hurt.
Love at first sight
Also new with a 2025 release date, Thunderbolts will follow an irreverent team featuring depressed assassin Yelena Belova alongside the MCU’s least anticipated group of misfits.
Rob Delaney was joined on stage by director Jake Schreier and stars Geraldine Viswanathan (role undisclosed), Lewis Pullman (role undisclosed), Hannah John-Kamen (Ghost), Wyatt Russell (John Walker), Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Valentina Allegra de Fontaine), Florence Pugh (Yelena Belova), Sebastian Stan (Bucky Barnes) and David Harbour, who appeared in the audience dressed in full Red Guardian costume. Fans in the audience were also treated to a scene from the film.
The Red Guardian (aka @DavidKHarbour) dressed for Hall H.#Thunderbolts#SDCC pic.twitter.com/yJ10Jrjtn0July 28, 2024
The Future of the Avengers
Saving the biggest and best announcement for last, Feige has tapped Anthony and Joe Russo, the dynamic duo behind four of the MCU’s most successful films. The studio’s highest-grossing directors will return to helm Avengers: Doomsday in May 2026 and Avengers: Secret Wars, which is set to be released in May 2027. The Russos’ company ARBO will produce both films alongside Marvel Studios, and Stephen McFeely will write the script.
When the new Avengers movies were announced, fans learned that the main villain would be Kang, the creator of the multiverse and the TVA. However, Jonathan Majors was reportedly fired by Disney and Marvel Studios due to ongoing legal issues last year.
“Being able to create stories and explore characters within the Marvel Universe has fulfilled a lifelong dream, and we’ve found a powerful connection with audiences in every film we’ve made,” the Russo brothers said.
“We are thrilled to once again collaborate with Kevin, Lou and the entire Marvel team to bring this epic adventure to new and surprising places for both fans and ourselves.”
Referring to the new villain behind these films, Doctor Doom, Joe Russo acknowledged that “if we’re going to bring Victor von Doom to theaters around the world, then I think we’re going to need the greatest actor in the world to play that character.”
“As proof of the unimaginable possibilities of the Marvel Multiverse, we present to you the one person who could embody Victor Von Doom.”
Characters dressed as Doctor Doom took the stage, before the big reveal: Robert Downey Jr. is returning to the MCU to play the elusive main villain.
“New mask, same job.” Robert Downey Jr. surprises Hall H by announcing his return to the MCU as Doctor Doom. pic.twitter.com/j1SEjzse3pJuly 28, 2024
But what does this mean for Tony Stark’s beloved actor? Will anything change in the Iron Man universe? Only time will tell, and we’ll keep you updated when that happens. But for now, it’s safe to say that Marvel could be about to change the world of Iron Man. Finally repair the MCU.