How Marvel’s Slate Has Changed (& Why It’s So Shocking)

The Marvel Cinematic Universe's Phase 4 slate has changed completely as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic - and the new slate includes some shocking changes. The spread of COVID-19 has caused massive disruptions to the film industry, with studios struggling to figure out how to reorient around the global lockdowns and a prospective recession.

This causes major problems for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, simply because its shared universe model has now turned into something of a competitive disadvantage. Other studios have a far greater degree of flexibility; they're able to adjust individual release dates with fairly little impact on their long-term slate. But in the MCU, everything is connected to everything else, and there's usually a sense of an overarching narrative running through Marvel's movies. As a result, the delay of Black Widow has had a massive impact, with Marvel pushing back the entire Phase 4 slate. It's easily the biggest change in the history of the entire MCU.

Of course, Disney's statement omits certain key information. It doesn't reveal how the adjusted Phase 4 slate will affect the Disney+ TV shows, which are supposed to tie in to the movies. For all that's the case, though, the repercussions are significant, and they'll have major consequences for Disney's profits in the short term.

Black Widow Has Moved To November 6, 2020

Marvel has essentially decided to skip the summer, rescheduling Black Widow to November 6, 2020. They're following the pattern set by MGM, who moved the 25th James Bond movie, No Time To Die, by seven months to November as well. This is, hopefully, long enough to allow the worst of the Coronavirus pandemic to come to an end, although there are some concerns about a winter resurgence of the virus. Assuming a best-case scenario that these fears fail to materialize, the release of the latest MCU flick and No Time To Die will hopefully serve to resuscitate the global film industry. It's impossible to predict how well these films will do - behaviors could well have changed in the medium-term as a result of the crisis, with people feeling uncomfortable in crowded indoor theaters - but Disney will nevertheless be relieved to anticipate Black Widow's income in 2020.

The Eternals Is Now Coming Out On February 12, 2021

Eternals has moved to February 12, 2021. There's a sense in which that was inevitable, because while principal photography finished in February, the Coronavirus pandemic is surely disrupting post-production and any reshoots. This film is aimed at the global box office, and an early 2021 release date means any disruption in other territories will hopefully have come to an end. Marvel and Disney will be carefully reorienting their marketing plans, which thankfully had yet to even begin.

This may be a logical change, but it has dramatic repercussions for the MCU and even Disney's general profits this year. 2020 is now the first year in a decade to feature just one Marvel release. That's pretty staggering, given 2019 was Marvel's most profitable year to date; the MCU grossed over $5 billion in the global box office (including Spider-Man: Far From Home), and Avengers: Endgame smashed box office records to become the highest-grossing movie of all time. 2020's takings will be dwarfed in comparison.

Shang-Chi & the Legend of the Ten Rings Now Comes Out On May 7, 2021

Shang-Chi Master of Kung Fu 112 Marvel Comics

The Coronavirus pandemic has forced Marvel to push back every release date, and that's particularly unfortunate in the case of Shang-Chi & the Legend of the Ten Rings. This film is aimed straight at the Chinese box office, and it was scheduled to drop over Chinese New Year, making it perfectly timed. Still, again the delay was inevitable, simply because this was the first Marvel movie to be disrupted by Coronavirus. Production began in Australia in early March, but was soon put on hold when director Destin Cretton was forced to self-quarantine due to fears he'd contracted COVID-19. Although he tested negative, Marvel chose not to restart production, clearly recognizing it wouldn't be long before they had to stop it again.

Spider-Man: Homecoming 3 Is (Currently) Still Releasing In July 2021

Tom Holland as Spider-Man in Spider-Man Homecoming

Disney's statement omits any mention of Spider-Man: Homecoming 3, which makes complete sense; this is technically a Sony film, and it will be down to Sony to make announcements for this movie. For now, it's reasonable to assume the release date is as set in stone as any of Disney's announcements, because it will be part of the contract between Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures. Sony is still hiring for Spider-Man: Homecoming 3, recently picking up accomplished cinematographer Seamus McGarvey, a sign they're still pushing ahead and hoping the production can still avoid significant disruption. Any change in this release date would potentially have a profound impact on Sony's spinoffs as well as the MCU, given hints the new Marvel/Sony deal allows Spider-Man to cross over with the likes of Venom and Morbius.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness Has Moved To November 5, 2021

Scarlet Witch Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness Villain Theory

Even Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness has been moved back one, a surprising decision given this is one of the most eagerly-anticipated movies in the entire Phase 4 slate and is thematically tied to a lot of the upcoming MCU TV shows. Marvel still hope to begin shooting in June, which had led many to believe they were reluctant to push this back. It's possible there is indeed a narrative thread running through Marvel's Phase 4 plans, and shuffling the order - say, keeping Doctor Strange 2 in May and moving Shang-Chi to November - would have disrupted that.

Thor: Love & Thunder Now Comes Out On February 18, 2022

Thor Love and Thunder Mighty Jane Foster Natalie Portman

Thor: Love & Thunder has been moved to February 12, 2021, abandoning what had become the traditional November release for the Thor films. This was probably necessary, because although returning writer/director Taika Waititi wasn't intending to begin production until August, he was expecting to head out to Sydney in April to begin pre-production. That obviously isn't going to happen now, but the delay will give him more time to work on the script.

Black Panther 2 Remains At May 6, 2022

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Black Panther 2 keeps its current release date of May 6, 2022. Although the first movie flourished in its February slot, the sequel is occupying the coveted May release date, allowing it to drop around the Easter holidays. It's an indication of Black Panther's importance to the MCU going forward, and Marvel's confidence in the brand. A slick marketing campaign could potentially allow Black Panther 2 to perform even better than the first film in the box office.

Captain Marvel 2 Is Set For July 8, 2022

In amidst all the delays, Marvel has also added another release; Captain Marvel 2 is now set for July 8, 2022. This may not actually be a change at all, because Marvel had already booked that date, and were yet to announce what film occupied the slot. Although the first Captain Marvel came out in March 2019, it grossed over $1.1 billion in the global box office, making it a high priority for Marvel. A competitive summer release is perfect for a potential high-performer.

More: Why Marvel's Disney+ Shows Are Still So Far Away