Avengers: Secret Wars will change the Marvel Cinematic Universe forever in 2027, bringing the Multiverse Saga to a close and opening the door for something brand-new. Some reports hint that the film could reboot the MCU’s timeline, giving the franchise a fresh start ahead of its next saga, whatever form that may take.
The world still knows surprisingly little about what Marvel Studios has planned for its next saga, but several upcoming projects are confirmed to be in the works for after Secret Wars. While every film has something to add to the MCU, there are four that fans won’t want to miss. These projects will set the stage for the MCU’s newest saga and hint at the storylines fans can expect as it unfolds.
Related
Did Marvel Accidentally Spoil the Multiverse Saga’s Real Big Bad?
A recent Marvel expo may have just spoiled the real big bad of Avengers: Secret Wars–and it isn’t Doctor Doom.
Marvel’s X-Men Reboot Sets the Stage for the Mutants
X-Men 90s Blue Team As Drawn By Jim LeeImage via Marvel Comics
The most obvious of the MCU’s next groundbreaking projects is the upcoming X-Men reboot. Currently, it is unclear what title the film will go by or which mutants will be a part of the project. The only details that have been revealed by Marvel Studios are that the film will be helmed by Thunderbolts* director Jake Schreier and that it will most likely come out in 2028 or 2029. Despite the limited information surrounding the film, it is destined to reframe the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Up until now, the Avengers have dominated the MCU, but Earth’s Mightiest Heroes are far from the most popular Marvel team in the comics. The new live-action X-Men team has the potential to follow in its comic book counterpart’s footsteps to become the MCU’s premier superhero squad moving forward. Characters like Cyclops, Wolverine, Storm, and Jean Grey have the potential to become new stars in the same way that Iron Man, Captain America, Hulk, and Thor did in the early stages of the MCU.
The X-Men storyline could dominate the future of the MCU, leading to whatever comes next in Phase 7 and beyond. After focusing on the Avengers for two sagas, the MCU is expected to go all-in on the X-Men moving forward, perhaps setting up a “Mutant Saga” for Phases 7 through 9 with a main villain like Annihilus. Regardless of what form the next MCU saga may take, the X-Men are certain to be a major part of it–and it all begins with Jake Schreier’s upcoming reboot.
Related
Near-Perfect Image of Robert Downey Jr’s Doctor Doom Reveals Connection to 2 Major Avengers
A new official image of Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom reveals a secret connection to two leading Avengers.
Blade Unleashes the Supernatural Side of the MCU
Mahershala Ali stars in Alita: Battle AngelImage via 20th Century Fox
Marvel Studios announced in 2019 that it was developing a reboot of Wesley Snipes’s Blade movies with Mahershala Ali taking over as the titular vampire hunter. Blade was originally expected to be a part of Phase 4, then Phase 5, and has since been delayed to beyond the Multiverse Saga, most likely sometime in Phase 7. Despite the numerous delays, Marvel and Ali claim they are still dedicated to making Blade happen, suggesting that it will be a major piece in the puzzle of the MCU’s upcoming storylines.
Blade has been trapped in development hell for years, and in that time, fans have learned some details about what the original plans for the film were and what has changed since its inception. It seems that Blade was meant to do much more than relaunch a beloved Marvel character; it was also meant to kickstart a whole new supernatural side of the MCU. Characters like Black Knight, Man-Thing, Moon Knight, Werewolf by Night, and Elsa Bloodstone are all tied to the character of Blade and his adventures in the MCU. As such, most of these characters’ storylines have stalled while Marvel works to get Blade right in his new movie.
Whenever Blade finally does come out, it will represent a new era of supernatural horror in the MCU. Many rumors suggest that the film will eventually lead to the formation of a new superhero team: the Midnight Sons, who will deal with the supernatural threats that the Avengers are not equipped to handle. After years of delays, it seems as though Blade is finally back on track, which means it could finally premiere in 2028 as one of the first films after Secret Wars, thus setting the stage for the next saga.
Related
Why MCU Fans Are Convinced That Kang the Conqueror Will Return in An Upcoming Marvel Movie
The Marvel Cinematic Universe could be bringing back its most infamous supervillain in an upcoming project–and it would change everything.
Doctor Strange 3 Is a Priority for the Post-Secret Wars MCU
Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) looks confusedImage via Marvel Studios/Everett Collection
After three years of radio silence regarding the next installment of the franchise, Doctor Strange 3 finally appears to be moving forward. New reports claim that the third entry in Benedict Cumberbatch’s superhero trilogy is a “priority” for Marvel Studios and will be one of the first films to release after Avengers: Secret Wars. As a foundational entry in the next saga of the MCU, fans won’t want to miss what Doctor Strange 3 has in store for the Sorcerer Supreme.
Just as Blade will ignite a new supernatural era of the MCU, Doctor Strange 3 could set up the next era of the franchise in a different way. If Secret Wars does reboot the MCU, as many theories suggest, the film could be an important entry in explaining the new status quo of the franchise and its heroes. As one of the world’s most knowledgeable defenders, Doctor Strange is the perfect guide for fans as they piece together the new timeline.
Alternatively, Doctor Strange 3 can move in an entirely different direction but setting up more supernatural stories that could tie into Marvel’s upcoming Midnight Sons projects. The sequel could feature the first appearance of Nightmare, who was meant to be the original villain for each Doctor Strange movie in the early stages of production. By exploring the Nightmare Realm–and potentially other realms native to the Marvel multiverse–Doctor Strange 3 would telegraph to the world that the grounded nature of previous MCU films is long gone and that the franchise isn’t afraid of the zanier side of its comic book inspiration.
Related
Marvel Just Revealed Doctor Doom’s Plan in Avengers: Doomsday, and Most Fans Missed It
A new sneak peek at Avengers: Doomsday reveals what Doctor Doom’s plan might be, but you may have missed it.
Black Panther 3 Sets the Stage for Wakanda’s New Era
Shuri makes her debut as Black Panther in Wakanda ForeverImage via Marvel Studios/Everett Collection
Fans are getting new Black Panther 3 details in the last few weeks as Ryan Coogler confirms his involvement in the sequel. The film’s release date has not yet been revealed, but it seems likely to be somewhere in 2028 or 2029, shortly after Avengers: Secret Wars. Early reports suggest that the film could be titled Black Panther: Shadows of Wakanda and involve another storyline centered around Shuri as she strives to fulfill her family’s legacy as the Black Panther.
Additional rumors suggest that Black Panther 3 is meant to “shake up” the post-Secret Wars MCU, which could hint at the film playing a major role in establishing the new status quo after a franchise reset. Black Panther and the other Wakandan characters deserve to have a central place in the MCU moving forward, and Shadows of Wakanda could be just the film to establish them as such. Given the continued popularity of Wakanda, the Black Panther, and everything that has to do with this corner of the Marvel universe, it would make sense for the next film to establish Shuri as a leading hero whose adventures will make up an important piece of the next saga.
Other rumors suggest that Marvel could recast T’Challa in Doomsday or Secret Wars, which would completely change Black Panther 3’s rumored story. T’Challa’s reintroduction would allow the Black Panther films to take a more traditional approach to the character and revert to the original plan before Chadwick Boseman’s tragic passing. Regardless of who wears the mask, MCU fans can rest assured that the Black Panther will be a leading hero in whatever storyline comes after the Multiverse Saga. Behind-the-scenes struggles may have complicated matters up until now, but the Black Panther is poised to take their rightful place as a central figure in the Marvel Cinematic Universe after Avengers: Secret Wars.