San Diego Comic Con is always an exciting time for Marvel fans. The event brings huge news for the future of the MCU and brand new reveals. Now with Thor: Love and Thunder hitting cinema screens, every project announced at the 2019 panel has now been released. So, what will Marvel Studios have to present? Below I will be giving my thoughts on what is likely and unlikely to be shown at Comic Con during Marvel Studios’ two panels. I would like to preface that these are my opinions and they could be completely wrong. Alright, ready? Let’s dive in.
Basically Confirmed
A Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Blowout
The next film to hit theaters from Marvel Studios is the highly anticipated Black Panther sequel. With no footage, stills, or even plot details officially released, it makes perfect sense that Marvel would want to put special attention on the film. At the panel, Marvel could confirm the casting of Namor as well as the rest of the Atlanteans who will be making their debut in the film. It is also the project most likely to debut a public trailer on social media as the film is releasing in less than 4 months.
New Footage from She-Hulk: Attorney at Law
The next Disney+ series to hit the streamer will definitely have a presence at the panel. Will we get a whole new trailer less than a month before the show’s release? Probably not. But new footage featuring Jennifer Walters and Bruce Banner would not be surprising. Additional cast members or cameos, maybe including Charlie Cox’s Daredevil could be officially announced as well.
A Release Date for What If Season 2
What If season two is supposed to stream this year on Disney+ and with the jam packed schedule for the rest of the year it’s hard to see where the series could fit. However, a release this year is still very likely and SDCC could finally give us its release date. We could also see a trailer with new scenarios including the already delayed ‘What if Tony Stark went to Sakaar?’ episode from the previous season. Episodes based off of Shang-Chi or Eternals are also very likely to be announced.
Updates on Other Announced Animated MCU Projects
With Marvel Studios Animation having its own panel, What-If can’t be all they are going to cover. First looks at X-Men ‘97, Spider-Man: Freshman Year, and Marvel Zombies are very likely, if not confirmed. X-Men ‘97 is reportedly streaming next year and a look exclusive to SDCC visitors could release with no public trailer. Additional casting specifically for the latter two shows is likely as well. Could Tom Holland, Jacob Batalon, and Zendaya be reprising their roles in Freshman Year? Maybe we’ll find out at the panel.
Werewolf By Night Announcement and Release Date
The last extremely likely announcement is the long due confirmation of Michael Giacchino’s directorial debut in Werewolf by Night. The special is supposed to stream this Halloween season, so a release date is likely as well. Will the special, staring Gael Garcia Bernal even be called Werewolf by Night? Or will it be the first in an annual Halloween anthology special with next year’s featuring Man Thing? Only time will tell.
Decently Likely
Dare-devilish Updates on Echo
With the recent Hollywood Reporter article that Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio will be reappearing together in Echo, it would be a wise idea to bring the two out on stage together in Hall H to thunderous applause from the audience. However, I do believe this is a little less likely as Echo is a project a little further into 2023 and Marvel Studios may want to focus on Secret Invasion instead as their 2023 Disney+ project of choice. This type of announcement may be better suited for the D23 Expo in September.
Some ‘Small’ Updates on Ant-Man
After Wakanda Forever, the third film in the Ant-Man trilogy is next in February 2023. With rumors still circling about the Young Avengers, M.O.D.O.K, and even Bill Murray appearing in the film, Marvel might want to detail the anticipated threequle with footage or appearances from Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, and Jonathan Majors. I do expect if there is footage however, that it will stay exclusive to the convention as it does seem to early for even a teaser for the film.
A James Gunn Appearance
With two more directorial outings in the MCU planned, James Gunn making an appearance at the panel seems pretty likely. This is further corroborated by James Gunn responding to a tweet about the panel. Could this just be him being excited himself? Sure. However, with the Holiday Special streaming later this year and Vol. 3 releasing next May, it would make a lot of sense to feature something from either of the two projects.
New Animated Series or Specials Announced
Marvel Studios has been making a lot of animation hires lately. And when I say a lot, I mean A LOT. And since the animation panel is actually longer than the regular panel, I wouldn’t be surprised if a new animated project is officially announced. Could it be a new series or even a wholly animated film? Who knows. If I had to predict though, I think an animated prequel series or film about Hank Pym and Janet Van Dyne in their prime would be very interesting and animation would be a great medium to explore those adventures.
Not Gonna Happen
A Full Phase Five Slate
Look. I, as much as the next person, want to see what’s coming up in the MCU’s future. The announcements in 2019 were extremely hype and made me very excited for what the MCU had to offer. However, I do not believe this Comic Con is the right time. In my opinion, SDCC will focus exclusively on already officially announced projects (besides Werewolf by Night) and D23 will focus on Phase Five and the future. Disney will want huge news to dominate during their own convention and more “hype” announcements, new films and shows will do the trick. So, I do not believe that Phase Five will be featured here at SDCC, but it doesn’t mean that it isn’t coming soon.
So, what do you think? Am I a prophet or are all of my opinions trash and wrong. However, I do want to repeat that these are just my opinions. Would I be upset if Avengers 5 was announced and the Fantastic Four were cast? Nope, not at all. However, I do believe that it is wise to hype responsibly in order to not be disappointed. Marvel Studios has a bright future ahead of them, and SDCC will only be the beginning of this future.
Marvel Studios Animation will hold its panel on Friday, July 22nd from 11:45 – 1:15 PM PST. The big Hall H Marvel Studios panel will be held on Saturday, July 23rd from 5-6 PM PST. Keep checking The DisInsider as we give updates on all that is announced.
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