Marvel Studios on Thursday announced several new series and films on the occasion of the Walt Disney’s Investor Day 2020, weaved around the heroes and villains of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Listed below are the 20 new releases including original series on characters such as Hawkeye, Groot, She-Hulk, Ms Marvel along with movies like Fantastic Four, The Guardians of Galaxy, among others.
WHAT IF…?
Marvel Studios claims What If…? to be its first animated series. Set to release in summer 2021, an exclusive first look of the original series was unveiled on Thursday. Directed by Bryan Andrews along with head writer Ashley Bradley, What If…? is an inspiration from the comic books of the same name with a tweaked script on the Marvel Cinematic Universe that “reimagines famous events from the films in unexpected ways.” The series focuses on different superheroes from the Marvel Cinematic Universe featuring a voice cast that includes Hayley Atwell as Peggy Carter and Jeffrey Wright as the voice of The Watcher.
Hawkeye
Marvel Studio’s Hawkeye, an original series, is directed by Rhys Thomas along with the directing duo Bert and Bertie which is set to premiere on Disney+ in late 2021. Jeremy Renner who reprises his role of Hawkeye aka Clint Barton will be joined by Hailee Steinfeld, who will play the role of the well-known archer from the Marvel comics Kate Bishop, the studio confirmed. The series also features Vera Farmiga, Fra Fee, Tony Dalton, Zahn McClarnon, Brian d’Arcy James, and Alaqua Cox who will star as Maya Lopez
Fantastic Four
The new feature film for Marvel’s First Family Fantastic Four will be directed by Jon Watts. The family comprise Reed Richards (Mister Fantastic), Sue Storm (Invisible Woman), Johnny Storm (Human Torch) and Ben Grimm (The Thing)
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special
Director James Gunn, who directed The Guardians of the Galaxy, is returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe to write and direct an original special titled The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special for a Disney+ release in 2022. Marvel Studios also has the upcoming third The Guardian of Galaxy to release in 2023.
Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania
Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania will be directed for the third time by Peyton Reed. Kathryn Newton joins the cast to play the role of Cassie Lang, the daughter of Scott Lang and Jonathan Majors as Kang the Conqueror. Reprising their old roles are Paul Rudd as Ant-Man, Evangeline Lilly as Hope van Dyne/Wasp, Michael Douglas as Dr Hank Pym, and Michelle Pfeiffer as Janet Van Dyne aka Hope’s parents.
Thor: Love And Lightning
Thor: Love and Thunder, directed by Taika Waititi, stars Christian Bale as the villain Gorr the God Butcher and who will join Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Natalie Portman as Jane Foster, and Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie, who are reprising their roles. Confirming that Jane Foster will become the Mighty Thor, Goddess of Thunder, Waititi said: “When we were shooting Ragnarok, I was reading one storyline by Jason Aaron, called THE MIGHTY THOR. And for those of you that don’t know that storyline, it’s incredible and full of emotion and love and thunder. And it introduces, for the first time, a female Thor.”
I am Groot
Marvel Studios’ I am Groot will be a series of shorts that will feature a seedling along with several new and unusual characters, according to the Marvel Studios.
Armor Wars
Armor Wars is an original series in which Don Cheadle returns to play the role of James Rhodes aka War Machine, who faces Tony Stark’s tech consequences in this classic Marvel story.
Ironheart
Ironheart features Dominique Thorne in the role of the genius inventor Riri Williams who creates the most advanced suit of armour since Tony Stark aka Iron Man.
Secret Invasion
Marvel Studios’ Secret Invasion stars Samuel L Jackson as Nick Fury and Ben Mendelsohn from Captain Marvel as Skrull Talos.
The Falcon and The Winter Soldier
The Falcon and The Winter Soldier is an original series whose official first-look was released on Thursday and it will be streaming from March 9, 2021 on Disney+.
Other announcements include Captain Marvel 2, She-Hulk, Moon Knight (an original series), Ms Marvel, Loki (an original series) WandaVision (an original series), Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings whose production is wrapped up and will be in theatres July 9, 2021.
Marvel Studios has also announced that it will not be recasting anyone else as Black Panther after the demise of Chadwick Boseman, who played the title role.
Pixar has also announced a row of new releases on the same occasion.
Turning Red
Burrow
Inside Pixar
Pixar Popcorn, a mini-series of shorts
Dug Days premiering in fall 2021.
Lightning McQueen and Mater premiering in fall 2022.
Win or Lose releasing in fall 2023.
Luca releasing in theatres June 2021.
Disney Plus also announced that the subscription fee will increase for US and Europe from March 2021.
