Disney announces a change in release date for one of its three planned 2020 Marvel Cinematic Universe entries. With 2017 being the first year Marvel has released three movies - Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Spider-Man: Homecoming, and Thor: Ragnarok - it's clear Disney is upping their superhero output. However, although Disney and Marvel have announced films through The Avengers 4 in 2019, the studio has three other release windows marked down in 2020 that will be part of the MCU's Phase 4.

Now, while the first of those films is still set for May of 2020, and the third for November of that year, the summer MCU entry has been bumped back a month on Disney's release schedule.

Initially slated for a debut on July 10, 2020, the mysterious project is now listed for August 7, 2020. Other than unveiling the new date as part of their massive release slate reveal, neither Disney nor Marvel have commented on this change, though Indiana Jones 5 did take the July 2020 date. With Marvel’s Phase 3 coming to an end, this untitled film’s move to a late-summer premiere may indicate the beginning of a new series which will be a through-line heading into Phase 4.

Marvel Studios (New Logo) Phase 4

In 2014, Guardians of the Galaxy premiered on August 1. Not only did it achieve a surprising level of critical and financial success, but it also helped color in the world of the MCU and set the stage for Thanos’ showdown with Earth’s Mightiest Heroes in Avengers 4. Marvel could be using this as a launchpad for the beginning of the next major arc.

If the desire is to introduce a new series, fans have been long suggesting Ms. Marvel as a film. Though she has only debuted in the last five years, Kamala Khan has grown steadily in popularity, turning quickly from cult hit to mainstream success. Khan is a high school student and practicing Muslim dealing with real-life issues (and superpowered villains). However, with the Captain Marvel movie coming out in 2019, Disney may be weary of fan confusion.

An argument could even be made for a Moon Knight film. While a long-shot, Moon Knight’s gritty and dark sensibilities would do well to balance out the camp of the standard Marvel films and give fans something of an alternate take on Batman to explore.

The other possibility is that the untitled film is another sequel; either to one of its burgeoning franchises like Black Panther or Doctor Strange. It also may be used as the date for the final bows of Ant-Man or Guardians of the Galaxy. James Gunn's surprise hit began in August and it may end there as well.

Next: Every MCU Project Currently In Development

Source: Disney

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