Marvel Studios Delays Deadpool 3, Captain America, Thunderbolts & Blade
With the end of the actor’s strike, Hollywood is starting to get back to work, and schedules are now being set out for Disney to begin filming on many projects, either to finish production, complete some reshoots or start filming entirely. Because of the new filming schedule, Disney has announced a reshuffling of some of its release dates, including a massive shift for the Marvel Studios lineup.
“Deadpool 3” was originally going to open in cinemas on May 3rd 2024. However, since only half of the film has been shot and filming is due to resume later this month, the film has now been shifted back to July 26th 2023, which was going to be when “Captain America: Brave New World” was going to be released, but that film has now been bumped back to Valentine’s Day 2025. This new film is a follow-up to “The Falcon And The Winter Soldier” Disney+ series, with Anthony Mackie taking over the Captain America mantle and will also star Harrison Ford as Thunderbolt Ross, along with Tim Blake Nelson returning as the Leader and Liv Tyler as Betty Ross, who were last seen in “The Incredible Hulk”.
Many Marvel fans had hoped the two films would simply swap places, since the new “Captain America” film has already completed filming, though it is expected to require some reshoots.
Ryan Reynolds shared an adorable photo on social media of Dogpool, to promote that the film is now coming out in the summer, saying:
Did Dogpool save the day? Not a chance in gremlin hell. But she IS currently causing the Disney plushy merch department nightmares. Coming with the movie, Summer 2024
And the Marvel Studios date shuffle continues, as “Thunderbolts”, which was initially due to be released on December 20th 2024, has now been bumped back to the following summer, to be released in cinemas on July 25th 2025. This film hasn’t even begun filming, but with all the delays due to the actors’ and writers’ strikes, there was little chance of it getting shot, and with all the special effects work that would be required to complete it. “Thunderbolts” is a massive team-up movie, featuring many of the villains and anti-heroes from the MCU, including Red Guardians, The Winter Soldier, US Agent, Taskmaster, Ghost, and Yelena. Belova
This has caused another shift in the release schedule for “Blade”, which will now be delayed a further nine months, from Valentine’s Day 2025 to November 7th 2025. Both films had been due to begin filming earlier this year, but the scripts weren’t ready in time to begin before the writer’s strike began in May. “Blade” will star Mahershala Ali as the half-human, half vampire.
The shifts in release dates, now mean in 2024, Marvel Studios will only be releasing one theatrical film, “Deadpool 3”, though we will still be getting some new Disney+ shows, such as “Echo” and “Agatha: Darkhold Diaries”. Sony will also be releasing some Marvel films in 2024, including “Kraven The Hunter”, “Madame Web”, and “Venom 3”.
With Marvel Studios pulling back on how many projects it’s making to try to improve the quality and help slow down the impacts of superhero fatigue, these delays will no doubt frustrate many, but it will give the teams more time to make the films better. But it also highlights the problem with Marvel Studios announcing way too many projects in advance at events like San Diego Comic-Con and D23 Expo.
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