In two new social media posts from Disney+ on Twitter the streaming service has seemingly confirmed Marvel’s WandaVision will begin airing sometime in December.
A teaser video titled “Coming In 2020” was posted featuring WandaVision.
This is the way… to get pumped for the coming months. Start streaming favorites like Hidden Figures, X2, and Big, plus Originals like The Right Stuff from @NatGeo, Clouds, @MarvelStudios’ WandaVision, and a new season of The Mandalorian. Coming soon on #DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/PrS1LovFq4
WandaVision is a key project to future projects (along with Loki) as it’ll likely connect to stuff like Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness, Thor: Love & Thunder, Captain Marvel 2, and Ant-Man 3. The series will introduce audiences to S.H.I.E.L.D.’s cosmic counterpart S.W.O.R.D. along with the adult version of Captain Marvel’s Monica Rambeau played by Teyonah Parris, who becomes a superpowered heroine herself.
There are also rumors of the series potentially giving us members of the Young Avengers after twins Speed and Wiccan were confirmed in teaser footage, as babies.
The Ronin has been able to confirm that Marvel Studios and director Sam Raimi have selected cinematographer John Mathieson for their Doctor Strange sequel titled Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness.
Mathieson’s credits include the solo Wolverine film Logan, X-Men: First Class, Ridley Scott’s Robin Hood, The Man From U.N.C.L.E., and Detective Pikachu.
It’s interesting to see Marvel hiring a cinematographer with a background in the X-Men franchise given that the co-lead of the film is a mutant and daughter of Magneto in the comic books.
Raimi had been recently hired to take over for director Scott Derrickson, who left the sequel over creative differences.
I’ve been previously able to confirm that production will be taking place at Longcross Studios in Surrey, England under the working title Stellar Vortex (title first mentioned by Murphy’s Multiverse). Additional filming had been expected to take place in New York City and Norway, we’ll see if they’ll be able to do that.
Filming may begin before the end of the year.
Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness will see Elizabeth Olsen’s Scarlet Witch taking a co-starring role alongside Benedict Cumberbatch’s Stephen Strange with upcoming Disney+ series WandaVision and Loki likely going to establish the Multiverse, characters, and plot details. Benedict Wong and Chiwetel Ejiofor are also confirmed to return.
Disney has given the film the tentative release date of March 25th, 2022.
The Ronin has caught-wind of some interesting developments concerning the releases of the first two Disney+ shows from Marvel Studios and the potential production order of the ones that haven’t started to begin shooting.
First, it seems like WandaVision may indeed be finished enough to debut before the end of the year. We know that the series is still planning to do some pick-up shots or reshoots but it doesn’t seem like it will be enough to hinder a 2020 release.
However, The Falcon & The Winter Soldier is expected to have been pushed back to 2021.
Disney has yet to make solid announcements recently about when either show will be released other than reaffirming that Season 2 of The Mandalorian will be ready to go in October.
One big reason for the delay might not even be related to The Falcon‘s production pause, as it’s been months since Disney+ content has been shot due to the pandemic and that will leave a content gap next year for many streaming services. This could see places being a little more reserved and Disney dropping two Marvel shows alongside The Mandalorian might be a little too much at once.
Loki was always set to be released in 2021, so that doesn’t seem to have changed in any major way.
Also, while this could change due to COVID-19 and location scheduling, below seems to be the current production order of the new shows that haven’t started shooting.
Hawkeye
Ms. Marvel
Moon Knight
She-Hulk
This does make sense since Hawkeye and Ms. Marvel are further along in the casting process. Then again, multiple Marvel shows were in production in Atlanta at the same time, so the start dates might not be as staggered as they are with the feature films.
She-Hulk might be done with their scripts but it’s possible that Mark Ruffalo’s schedule is a factor, if he has indeed signed-on as expected.
On the film side, release dates are influx as there is a very good shot that Shang-Chi & The Legend of The Ten Rings might not make it’s May 7th, 2021 release because of the production delays in Australia shortening the post-production window.
It’s unknown if Black Widow will stick to it’s November 6th theatrical release date or will be bumped to Eternals‘ February 12th, 2021 spot instead. There has been plenty of fan speculation it’ll simply be dumped on Disney+’s Premier Access section like Mulan, but little evidence to support it.
It is a little upsetting that without San Diego Comic-Con Marvel hasn’t made any big announcements. Hopefully, they’ll give some updates in the very near future taking cues from the upcoming event DC FanDome and doing their own in-house version of it.
It looks like another Phase 4 film has landed a director!
Deadline is reporting that Marvel has chosen a new director for Captain Marvel 2 instead of bringing back Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden, who directed the first installment. According to the new report they’ve hired Nia DaCosta the director of Little Woods and the upcoming Candyman film for MGM Studios that is produced by Jordan Peele.
This news has yet to be confirmed by Marvel Studios or Disney.
Brie Larson is returning as Carol Danvers and it’s a little unknown when cameras will begin rolling.
Considering the current release date of the film is July 8th, 2022, starting production next spring/summer would make sense, however, it’s unknown if the backlog of projects at Marvel Studios due to COVID-19 will have an impact on that.
Feature films like Thor: Love & Thunder, Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness, Spider-Man 3, and Ant-Man 3 are most likely going to shoot in 2021 alongside various new Disney+ shows. There is a small chance that stuff like Black Panther 2 and Captain Marvel 2 might see their shoots pushed to 2022 with rescheduled release dates sometime in 2023.
Details on the upcoming project are scarce but with WandaVision‘s Megan McDonnell having been tapped to write the sequel this would suggest that it could have a huge connection to S.W.O.R.D. (S.H.I.E.L.D.’s intergalactic counterpart) and an adult Monica Rambeau played by Teyonah Parris, both being introduced in the Disney+ series.
We most likely will see the return of Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury, who last we saw was busy on vacation as a group of Skrulls were building a space station. That station would most likely end up being The Peak or another base of operations for S.W.O.R.D. considering that humans aren’t likely able to building something like that as quickly as Skrulls.
It remains to be seen if Ms. Marvel‘s Kamala Khan will also join the project but there is a good shot the teenager might have a role to play in Captain Marvel 2.
There have been unconfirmed internet rumors of the sequel tackling the Secret Invasion storyline from the comics. That might just be a little too ambitious given the scale of that story and the volume of heroes/actors needed to be involved for that to come together.
Here are some interesting Marvel tidbits that have surfaced recently.
‘WandaVision’ Expected To Have At Least 9-Episodes
A stunt person’s public resume spotted by Murphy’s Multiverse seemingly reveals that there might be at least 9-episodes of WandaVision airing on Disney+.
When WandaVision will be ready to begin airing on the streaming service hasn’t been made official. Vision actor Paul Bettany recently revealed that they still have some reshoots before they’re completely finished when that will happen is a little less unclear.
Anthony Mackie Says Marvel Studios Needs More Diversity
While speaking with Variety, MCU star Anthony Mackie took Marvel Studios to task about the diversity behind the camera.
MACKIE: “It really bothered me that I’ve done seven Marvel movies where every producer, every director, every stunt person, every costume designer, every PA, every single person has been white.”
While Marvel Studios has a few non-white producers such as Nate Moore (Eternals, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War, Black Panther), Trinh Tran (Hawkeye, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, Captain America: Civil War), and Malcolm Spellman (The Falcon & The Winter Soldier) Marvel and the producing team could certainly be doing a lot better in all areas of hiring and expanding their diversity behind the scenes, not just in front of the camera.
Mackie also stated to Variety that the upcoming series The Falcon & The Winter Soldier is like a six-hour film.
MACKIE: “We’re shooting it exactly like a movie. Everybody who had worked on TV before was like, ‘I’ve never worked on a TV show like this.’ The way in which we were shooting, it feels exactly like we were shooting the movie cut up into the show. So instead of a two-hour movie, a six or eight-hour movie.”
When the Marvel series will begin airing is also up-in-the-air as they didn’t finish shooting and the latest restrictions from the European Union banning American travelers would suggest that they won’t be able to complete those Prague scenes anytime soon.
The United States is also still stuck in the first wave of the coronavirus making it extremely dangerous for studios to ramp-up productions in Atlanta leaving shows like Falcon and Loki in production limbo for the moment.
Ernie Hudson Confirms He Attempted To Play King T’Chaka In The MCU
Ghostbusters and The Crow star Ernie Hudson confirmed to Comic Book that he asked Marvel producers about playing T’Challa’s father and former Black Panther, King T’Chaka. However, he asserts that Marvel thought the role was too small for him.
The original rumor that Hudson was in the mix came from Latino Review back in 2014.
Hulu’s ‘Helstrom’ Series Doesn’t Seem To Have The Marvel Studios Branding
An official logo for Helstrom posted by Hulu when announcing their lineup for Comic-Con@ Home seemingly omitted the Marvel branding from the project, which is based on characters from Marvel Comics and was produced by Marvel Television before Jeph Loeb stepped down. The company has been renamed to Marvel TV Studios and is overseen by Marvel’s new CCO, Kevin Feige.
In Marvel’s Helstrom, Daimon and Ana Helstrom are the son and daughter of a mysterious and powerful serial killer. The siblings have a complicated dynamic as they track down the terrorizing worst of humanity — each with their attitude and skills.
This could support the idea that Helstrom is neither part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (unlike the Disney+ shows) and most likely won’t be getting a second season.
I had been mostly exclusively reporting on the various directors working on the series at HN Entertainment, so I’m curious to see what the Vancouver-shot show looks like.
There have been some signs that the 10-episodes will begin airing sometime near Halloween in October/November.
Here is is a collection of some interesting news, tidbits, and rumors concerning the world of live-action Marvel projects from the last couple of weeks.
Chris Evans Isn’t Interested In Reprising ‘Captain America’
While addressing if he is truly done with the Captain America role, Chris Evans said the following on The Graham Norton Show (via Digitial Spy).
EVANS: “Yes, I think it is. It was a great run and we went out on such a high note that it would be risky to revisit it in my opinion. It was such a good experience and I think it’s better left that way.”
Despite establishing that Old Man Rogers is alive at the end of Avengers: Endgame, Chris Evans tells that he isn’t eager to return to the Captain America role anytime soon. This isn’t shocking given that the mantle is being passed on to Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson with the transition taking place in The Falcon & The Winter Soldier.
J.K. Simmons Says He’s Signed On For Multiple ‘Spider-Man’ Movie
In Spider-Man: Far From Home, it was revealed that J.K. Simmons would be reprising the role of Spider-Man’s media nemesis J. Jonah Jameson after playing the character in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy. The character is the one to reveal to the public that Tom Holland’s Peter Parker is Spider-Man and attempts to frame him for the murder of Quentin Beck.
Simmons has briefly mentioned to PeopleTV (via Entertainment Weekly) that he is signed-on for sequels but the studio isn’t exactly obligated to have him return.
SIMMONS: “I don’t know if I would use the word expect. It’s great to have the opportunity, as these things evolve, to be one of the holdovers from the previous version.”
This could mean that he’ll be returning for Spider-Man 3 but likely hasn’t been told if he is or not. An assumption I think we all made after the cliffhanger ending of the last film that could allow him to play a much larger role in future films. It might also support previous online rumblings pointing towards J. Jonah potentially showing up in films like Morbius and Venom 2, given that Sony Pictures seems keen on establishing their Spider-Man Cinematic Universe.
Josh Trank Says 20th Century Fox Blocked Him From Casting A Black Actress To Play Sue Storm In ‘Fantastic Four’
While speaking with Geeks of Color recently to promote his Tom Hardy gangster film Capone, Fantastic Four director Josh Trank revealed that he was pushing for a black actress to portray the role of Sue Storm in Fantastic Four.
Josh indicates that 20th Century Fox was behind that not happening, despite allowing him to cast Michael B. Jordan as her brother Johnny Storm aka The Human Torch.
TRANK: “There were a lot of controversial conversations that were had behind-the-scenes on that. I was mostly interested in a black Sue Storm, a black Johnny Storm, and a black Franklin Storm. But when you’re dealing with a studio on a massive movie like that, everybody wants to keep an open mind to who the big stars are going to be.”
“When it came down to it, I found a lot of pretty heavy pushback on casting a black woman in that role.”
Studios being fearful of women of color in leading roles isn’t shocking or new.However, superhero diversity is something I think we can all rally around given and we’ll be curious to see how Marvel Studios ultimately recasts both their Fantastic Four and X-Men reboots.
Trank also mentioned on Twitter (before deleting/deactivating his account) that he isn’t interested in releasing a director’s cut of Fantastic Four.
Rumored Working Title of ‘Hawkeye’ Series Is ‘Anchor Point’
Our pal Charles Murphy over at Murphy’s Multiverse is claiming that the working title for Marvel Studios’ upcoming Hawkeye series will be Anchor Point. Working titles are normally used strictly during pre-production and the shooting of projects.
However, when that show might begin shooting is a little unclear at the moment with a handful of other Disney+ shows that haven’t fully completed their filming and there is some uncertainly concerning when new stuff like Hawkeye, She-Hulk, Ms. Marvel, and Moon Knight that hasn’t even started will begin production given the backlog they’re undergoing at the moment due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
If filming is indeed going to move forward this fall in Atlanta, Georiga on Hawkeye, we’re likely to get some official casting news concerning the Kate Bishop role in the not too distant future.
Evan Peters Rumored For Mystery Role In ‘WandaVision’
Another cool story coming from Charles Murphy suggests the possible casting of X-Men and American Horror Story actor Evan Peters in a mysterious key role for Marvel’s WandaVision.
However, the report clearly is under the impression that Peters is playing a new character and is unlikely standing in for Aaron Johnson’s Pietro Maximoff aka Quicksilver.
Despite blog and fan speculation that this could mean the Singerverse is carrying over to the Marvel Cinematic Universe if Peters is indeed playing a character other than Quicksilver, this would finally cement that Marvel is rebooting the main X-Men franchise (excluding Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool) and going to recast all of the roles, not just Wolverine.
‘WandaVision’ Might Resume Filming This July In Los Angeles
Speaking of other Marvel shows that haven’t completed their productions, Paul Bettany has seemingly revealed to the Tampa Bay Comic Convention that he cannot attend their convention this summer because the resumed filming of WandaVision is taking place next month.
Here is what the event posted on their Facebook page.
“We finally received word from Paul Bettany’s representation, and unfortunately Paul had to cancel his appearance at TBCC this year due being called back by Disney for WandaVision filming in July, in Los Angeles. We’re working on guest additions!“
However, it’s hardly confirmation as Marvel/Disney hasn’t made any official statements concerning the resuming of any of their projects. It’s worth considering Disney could be asking principal actors in their major projects to be on stand-by for the summer, just in case they do want to resume production sooner rather than later.
There have been indications that WandaVision is much further along than both The Falcon & The Winter Solider and Loki, so the filming needed to be done might be limited or potentially additional footage.
Will ‘Shang-Chi’ Resume Production In Australia Soon?
On the live-action front, Australia and New Zealand seem to be in much better shape to resume feature film productions sooner than the United States and possibly the United Kingdom.
Avatar 2 could very well resume production by the end of the month or sometime in July after director James Cameron and producer Jon Landau arrived in New Zealand last week.
We can theorize that Australian projects like Shang-Chi might be some of the first to resume even before major projects in other countries.
Shang-Chi unlikely projects like Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness and Spider-Man 3 was shooting when Coronavirus outbreaks in the country led to the government telling studios to put a pause on filming.
When stuff like the Spider-Man and Doctor Strange sequels will be able to begin shooting is less clear given that Tom Holland is expected to shoot Uncharted first and if that production is delayed beyond the summer likely means Spider-Man 3 won’t begin shooting until 2021.
Doctor Strange 2 was undergoing new rewrites from Loki’s Michael with new director Sam Raimi jumping in for Scott Derrickson. While the UK government is keen for filming to resume in the country it might not be safe to resume this early, the same could be said about shoots in the United States as well.
Shang-Chi was also going to shoot in San Francisco (Agent of Atlas connection?) and Los Angeles which could likely happen later in the year. However, what is a bit unknown is if they’ll be able to shoot exterior stuff in the various Asian locations they wanted to use before the pandemic.
Has Actress Fala Chen Joined The Cast of ‘Shang-Chi’?
Some social media detective work from Murphy’s Multiverse writer Lizzie Hill suggests that newcomer Fala Chen might have joined the cast of Shang-Chi & The Legend of The Ten Rings.
They also recently figured out that Solo: A Star Wars Story actress Erin Kellyman is expected to have an unnamed role in The Falcon & The Winter Soldier.
Simon Kinberg Open To Directing Another ‘X-Men’ Film For Marvel Studios
Lastly, Dark Phoenix writer/director Simon Kinberg suggested to IGN that he’d be open to the possibility of returning to the X-Men franchise under the new management of Marvel Studios.
Simon Kinberg would absolutely direct an X-Men film for Marvel, if the opportunity came up. "I've dedicated a lot of my life to Logan and Deadpool and the X-Men and would love to do a fresh take." #XMen#DaysofFuturePast#WFHTheaterpic.twitter.com/Le0HwO8Rmg
After Dark Phoenix losing 20th Century Studios (owned by Disney at the time of release) around $100-130 million, I find it hard to believe that Marvel would consider having Kinberg anywhere near their new X-Men franchise. Having new creatives involved isn’t the worst idea and it’s about time to have more passionate people tackling these characters.
THE RONIN 