Marvel Studios at D23 2022
After making a splash at San Diego’s International Comic Con (SDCC) in 2022, Marvel Studios is returning to Annaheim, Calif. for D23 2022. Fans have been speculating and theorizing everything they picked out in the breadcrumbs that Marvel had left so far. Even our website has speculated on projects the studio is likely to announce (Check out the article here). However, when Kevin Feige took the stage and revealed the “items” in his bag, fans had mixed feelings. Let’s examine everything that happened.
1. Roger: The Musical
The panel kicked off with a live performance by Rogers: The Musical exclusively in front of the public present. The performance was done by a few artists, some of the same ones who performed the musical in Disney+ Hawk Eye.
2. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Then Ryan Coogler took the stage with Kevin Feige and all of his cast. Another Trailer/Film Sequence Coming Soon Black Panther: Wakanda Forever was exclusively broadcast to D23 audiences. Director Ryan Coogler has confirmed that he is still editing the film. Another plot detail has been shared – the film will focus on how the rest of the world tries to get Wakanda’s resources (Vibranium) while the nation is at its weakest.
3. Heart of Iron
Next, Ryan Coogler is joined by Anthony Ramos who plays ‘The Hood’ in Marvel’s next show – Ironheart. The show will be produced by Ryan Coogler. The series received a new logo and it was revealed that the show would focus on the battle between technology and magic.
4. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
It’s been confirmed to be directed by Peyton Reed and will feature a ‘Quantum Realm Heist’ and feature ‘tiny heroes with massive MCU impacts’. The team was looking for “something (or someone)” that was stolen from Kang in the Quantum Realm. The upcoming Ant-Man sequel has been confirmed to tie directly into Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. It will also feature the return of Randall Park’s agent Jimmy Woo, who was recently seen on WandaVision. Exclusive footage was also shared from the film with the audience in attendance.
5. Night Werewolf
After not even a whisper of the upcoming Marvel’s Special – Werewolf By Night at SDCC 2022, Kevin released the first trailer for the special. The series seems to take a very “noir-retro-horror” approach. The special is set to air on Disney+ on October 7. It will also include man-thingand stars Gael Garcia Bernal and Laura Donnelly. (Check out the trailer here).
6. Secret Invasion
The first trailer with a new logo for the highly anticipated Secret Invasion The Disney+ series was shown to attendees and uploaded online. The trailer showed several returning MCU characters (Nick Fury, Maria Hill, Talos), in addition to a brief look at the character of Emilia Clark. Based on the trailer, it looks like Marvel is going the route of Captain America: The Winter Soldier for the series. (Check out the trailer here).
7. Armor Wars
Finally, Marvel has acknowledged the existence of Armor Wars in its MCU canon. Don Cheadle (Colonel J. Rhodes aka War Machine) shares the stage with Kevin Feige and unveils a new logo for the series. No director, plot details, trailer, footage, or any other cast members have been revealed. However, it has been announced that the show will consist of a total of 6 episodes and will be a direct sequel to the Secret Invasion series.
8. Loki (Season 2)
Then Loki (Season 2) was reconfirmed by Kevin Feige. It was also revealed that Ke Huy Quan (from Everything, Everywhere, All At Once), will appear in the second season of Loki – specifically as a TVA employee.
9. Echo
Echo – a spin-off of a character that appeared in Hawkeye, has been confirmed to have wrapped filming. Exclusive images from the series have also been released.
10. The Fantastic Four
Much to the disappointment of fans, Kevin Feige said they wouldn’t be able to announce the film’s cast yet. However, he revealed that the next movie based on Marvel’s First Family will be helmed by Matt Shakman as director.
11. Daredevil: Born Again
Feeling the public’s disappointment, Vincent D’Onofrio stayed on stage and jokingly asked the audience if he wouldn’t stay for “his” other show. So Charlie Cox (Matt Murdoch/Daredevil) joined him on stage and reconfirmed the upcoming 18-episode series – Daredevil: Born Again, with a new logo. It has been confirmed that filming for the show will begin in 2023.
12. Captain America: New World Order
Floor D23 was then occupied by Anthony Macky (Sam Wilson aka Captain America) with Carl Lumbly as Isaiah Bradley (of TFATWS) and Danny Ramirez like Joaquin Torres (probably the new Falcon). The fourth Captain America film, directed by Jules Onahtakes place in a post-Avengers world. Shira Hass was revealed to be playing an Israeli superhero – Sabra, in the movie. However, to everyone’s surprise, Tim Blake Nelson joined the cast as Dr. Samuel Sterns, reprising his role as The leader from 2008 The Incredible Hulk. The series also received a new logo.
13. Love at first sight
Next, Marvel announced the official team members of the Love at first sight – the upcoming movie as the final entry in MCU Phase 5. The team will include:
- David Harbor as Alexei Shostakov / Red Guardian (Black Widow)
- Hannah John Kamen like ghost (Ant-Man and the Wasp),
- Julia Louis Dreyfus as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (TFATWS),
- Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes / Winter Soldier (TFATWS),
- Wyatt Russell as John Walker/USAgent (TFATWS), and
- Florence Poug reprising her role as Yelena Belova (Black Widow).
However, it has not been confirmed whether or not Baron Zemo, Abomination, or even red hulk, will be part of the team. Everything remains to be seen.
14. The Wonders
Finally, as a final offer, exclusive footage from Marvel’s next movie. Wonders was shown to the public. On stage were three wonders – Iman Vellani (Ms. Marvel), Brie Larson (Captain Marvel), and Teyonah Parris (Photon). The footage apparently showed the three characters grappling with the aftermath of the “sudden body swaps” that occurred between the three of them. The Marvels picks up right after the Ms. Marvel post-credit scene. The film will also see the return of Goose, the cat.
As said before, the D23 Marvel panel was indeed a mixed bag. As no such information was revealed that the public did not already know. No casting for Nova, Wonder Man, Fantastic Four, or the Phase Six slate “blank projects” has been revealed. Maybe Marvel is breathing hard until the end of Phase 4, and we can give them the benefit of the doubt. Hopefully the MCU future will be just a little brighter.
