Marvel Studios has recently announced a reshuffling of release dates for its upcoming television shows. This decision comes as the industry faces strikes by writers and actors, resulting in significant disruptions to production and development. Additionally, Marvel aims to make each of its shows a special event for fans and audiences, leading the studio to adopt a more strategic approach to content release.
Last year, during San Diego Comic-Con, Marvel unveiled its plans for Phase 5 and Phase 6 of its movies and television shows. The schedule for 2023 was particularly heavy, with five shows planned. However, due to the current strikes and the studio’s desire to create a unique experience for viewers, these plans have undergone changes.
Here is the new rundown of Marvel’s television show release dates according to sources:
Loki season two, starring Tom Hiddleston and Owen Wilson, will be the only show to premiere this fall, arriving on Disney+ on October 6. Despite concerns about superhero fatigue, anticipation for the alternate timeline series remains high. The trailer for season two garnered significant digital attention, and season one of Loki remains the most-watched Marvel series on Disney+.
The second season of the Emmy-winning animated series, What If…?, is set to debut around Christmas Day. This anthology series explores key moments in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and how they would unfold in different timelines. Jeffrey Wright returns as the voice of the Watcher, the alien narrator. Originally scheduled for early 2023, the series has been pushed back.
Echo, a spin-off from the successful Hawkeye series, was initially announced for November 29 but has now been rescheduled for January 2024. The show follows Alaqua Cox as Echo, a character who returns to her hometown in Oklahoma to confront her past. Echo is described as having a grittier and more grounded tone, and it will feature appearances by Daredevil and the villain The Kingpin. All episodes of Echo will be released simultaneously.
Next on the schedule is X-Men ’97, an animated series that continues the tone and spirit of the classic 1990s X-Men series that aired on Fox. Originally planned for a fall 2023 release, the nostalgia-filled show will now premiere in early 2024. Sources who have seen the series describe it as a retro love letter to the original, with a second season also in development.
Agatha, the WandaVision spinoff starring Kathryn Hahn, was initially set for a winter 2023 release but has been pushed back to early fall 2024. The series, which completed its filming before the strikes, has undergone several title changes. It was previously called Agatha: House of Harkness and then Agatha: Coven of Chaos before settling on its current name, Agatha: Darkhold Diaries. The show will serve as a lead-up to the Halloween holiday.
Ironheart, a show centered around genius-inventor Riri Williams (played by Dominique Thorne), was initially planned for a fall release but has been affected by the strikes and is no longer on the schedule. The show had completed filming but requires additional work impacted by the ongoing labor disputes.
Daredevil: Born Again, which continues the story from the Netflix series in the MCU, was expected to debut in spring 2024. It was paused mid-production due to the strikes. Similarly, Wonder Man, starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, also faced interruptions during filming.
At this time, it is uncertain where these three series will be placed on the Marvel release calendar.
In conclusion, while Marvel Studios faces challenges due to ongoing strikes and a desire to create extraordinary experiences for its fans, the studio has rescheduled its television show releases. These changes reflect the industry’s current climate and strive to ensure high-quality content for viewers to enjoy.