Summary
- Disney's release updates suggest a possible MCU reboot, with a slowdown in production allowing Marvel Studios to rethink its list of movies.
- The rumored soft reboot in Avengers: Secret Wars could address common complaints about the franchise, such as too many characters and unresolved plot threads.
- Avengers: Secret Wars is the right time for a reboot, as it gives Marvel Studios over three years to plan and prepare for a more streamlined and cohesive direction for the MCU.
Rumors surrounding a massive Marvel movies in order, this switch in tactics began with the 24th Marvel movie, Black Widow, which moved past a major Infinity Saga character to the more unknown properties of Phase 4. This was always set to be a bold choice for Marvel Studios.
The general consensus is that some of the post-Avengers: Endgame projects are among the Marvel movies releasing in 2024 with only one feature film slated in the form of Deadpool 3. This slowdown in production has allowed Marvel Studios to rethink its list of Marvel movies, with Disney’s latest update concerning this making rumors of a climactic MCU reboot all the more likely.
Every Marvel Movie: Full MCU Phase 5 & 6 List (& Beyond)
Between Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures Entertainment, here is every Marvel movie release date and what we know about the projects so far.
Disney's MCU Updates An Avengers 6 Franchise Reboot
A reboot in Avengers: Secret Wars has never seemed more likely.
Before exploring how a reboot of the MCU in Avengers: Secret Wars is now a distinct possibility, it is worth delving into Disney's recent release updates surrounding the franchise. In February 2024, Bob Iger - the CEO of the Walt Disney Company - held an investor earnings call relating to all things Disney. Naturally, this involved one of the more popular franchises under Disney's vast Hollywood umbrella, the MCU. During this call, it was revealed by Iger that an MCU release schedule slowdown is now in order.
According to the Disney CEO, this new model would see the MCU specifically reduce the volume of its output. The increase in output for Disney+ by Marvel Studios was noted as a reason behind the franchise's loss of focus of late, causing a drastic slowdown in production. Similarly, Iger stressed that all studios under the Disney umbrella would shift to focus on sequels and franchises that are recognizable in a ploy to garner bigger theater audiences, including the MCU.
This new update from Disney is sure to affect the Marvel side of things, lending credence to the rumors of a major MCU reboot in Avengers: Secret Wars. In October 2023, the author of the Marvel book MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios - Joanna Robinson - appeared on The Watch podcast. During this interview, Robinson hinted that Avengers 6 would be used as a vehicle for Marvel Studios to effectively cull the dead weight of the franchise, streamlining the MCU to keep what works and abandon what does not. Check out the full quote below:
"We have a quote from Kevin Feige sort of implying that, like, Secret Wars will serve as a soft reboot in which they can prune everything... That's not to use a Loki-ism. [They'll] prune everything that's not working and just keep what is [working], or bring back people you thought were gone forever."
How Secret Wars Rebooting The MCU Can Help The Franchise Address Several Common Complaints
The divisive nature of the Multiverse Saga could be resolved with the franchise's rumored soft reboot.
With Iger/Disney now insistent on the MCU committing to stronger franchises as part of Marvel Studios' reduced output, the rumors of a Secret Wars reboot now seem much more plausible. If indeed Avengers 6's reboot rumors come to fruition, it may help the MCU address several common complaints about the franchise that have been prevalent since 2019. Aside from the more broad criticisms such as writing quality, one of the more frequent MCU grievances surrounds the fact that there are simply too many characters with no central heroes like the Infinity Saga's Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor.
Continuations of 2021's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and Eternals are still years away to name but a few unresolved plot threads...
The overwhelming output of projects has caused an overabundance of MCU characters, with several new additions being sidelined for years on end due to the introduction of yet more heroes. This criticism leads to another, that being the dangling of story threads for too long. Continuations of 2021's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and Eternals are still years away to name but a few unresolved plot threads, while Sam Wilson's Captain America will have been absent from the franchise for four years upon the release of 2025's Captain America: Brave New World.
These unresolved stories have led to yet another complaint with the MCU, with many claiming the franchise has lost sight of a central, streamlined story arc. The Infinity Saga never suffered from the issue due to the franchise's more reserved output between 2008 and 2019, yet the inherent nature of the multiverse has caused disparate stories to be told over a coherent, broad franchise tale. While these issues are many, a reboot in Avengers: Secret War that streamlines content, characters, and sub-franchises could address every single one of them.
Avengers: Secret Wars: Release Date, Plot Details & Everything We Know
The culmination of phases 4, 5, and 6 of the MCU will be in Avengers: Secret Wars. Here's everything to know about the sixth Avengers movie.
Why Avengers: Secret Wars Is The Right Time For A Reboot
Avengers 6 may be the best option for Marvel's reboot to take shape.
Despite Iger's announcement, it is unlikely and would be frankly unwise for Marvel Studios to implement the new mandate immediately. Projects up until Avengers: Secret Wars have either already been announced, are unannounced but in production, or are ready to be released. Canceling any that do not fit the "stronger franchise" wording would undoubtedly be a bad look for the MCU. Also, an immediate change would be far too sudden as the narrative would have to change without proper preparation, leading to more lackluster writing.
Avengers: Secret Wars
- Release Date
- December 17, 2027
- Director
- Joe Russo
- Writers
- Stephen McFeely, Stan Lee
- Prequel(s)
- Avengers: Doomsday
- Franchise(s)
- Marvel Cinematic Universe
Cast
Reed Richards / Mr. Fantastic
Vanessa KirbySue Storm / Invisible Woman
Johnny Storm / Human Torch
Ebon Moss-BachrachBen Grimm / The Thing
Avengers: Secret Wars is the sixth Avengers film and takes place during Phase Six of Marvel's Cinematic Universe.
Conversely, Avengers: Secret Wars is not due for release until 2027. This would give the creatives at Marvel Studios three years to begin planning a reboot of the franchise. In these three years, Marvel Studios' writers, directors, and producers can properly iron out which franchises will survive the reboot and which will be culled, settling on a solid and concise direction for the MCU post-Avengers: Secret Wars after an ittedly tumultuous Multiverse Saga.
