October ‘23 CQMB - MCU Delays, Aquaman 2, I Am Groot, & More

Alright, well, at least things are a little clearer. Since San Diego Comic Con 2022, things have gotten less and less clear in terms of the release dates of the MCU shows. On July 23, 2022, this was the slate we got:

Secret Invasion - Spring 2023

Echo - Summer 2023

Loki: Season 2 - Summer 2023

Ironheart - Fall 2023

Agatha: Coven of Chaos - Winter 2023/24

Daredevil: Born Again - Spring 2024

The show “Wonder Man” has been in production as well, and there were murmurs of the show being released in 2024 alongside Daredevil.

Back in May, Marvel confirmed the release dates for both Loki: Season 2 and Echo, slating them for October 6 and November 29, respectively. However, some major changes has been made as of Sep 2. Here are the delays:

Secret Invasion - June 21 (already premiered)

Loki: Season 2 - October 6

Echo - January 2024

Agatha: Darkhold Diaries - Halloween 2024 (new title)

Ironheart - TBA

Wonder Man - TBA

Daredevil: Born Again - TBA

Those are the updates we’ve received. It’s funny how the Agatha show has changed its name twice (From “Agatha: House of Harkness” to “Agatha: Coven of Chaos” to “Agatha: Darkhold Diaries”). I’m just glad that Loki: Season 2 will be keeping its release date.

We’ve gotten updates on Marvel Studios’ animated series too. Here’s what we thought we would be getting back in summer 2022:

I Am Groot: Season 1 - August 10, 2022 (released as scheduled)

What If…?: Season 2 - Early 2023

X-Men ‘97 - Fall 2023

Spider-Man: Freshman Year - Early 2024

Marvel Zombies - Fall 2024

With newly given updates, we now have a clearer picture of when these animated shows will be released (after several delays):

What If…?: Season 2 - Christmas 2023

X-Men ‘97 - Early 2024

Spider-Man: Freshman Year - TBA

Marvel Zombies - TBA

At least we now have a clearer cut idea of when the second season of What If…? will release.

Well, just like the first season, this is a cute set of shorts that make me smile. I thought it was interesting that they included The Watcher. Nothing much else to say about these five episodes, but I’d rate it a 7/10.

This trailer was actually pretty solid. It took way too long to come out, see how the movie will be out in less than three months, but I enjoyed it. I didn’t expect to be so fond of the trailer, knowing how the movie has had awful feedback coming from early screenings. Many are speculating the reasoning for the late trailer release is because the movie isn’t that good. I did notice Amber Heard was in an abrupt shot of the trailer, and I’m guessing she’s in the movie quite a bit, and they only included that snippet to not anger fans. Regardless, this trailer has me hopeful, and hopefully it doesn’t let me down. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom will be in theaters December 20.

On October 20, the colorized version of the 2022 Marvel Studios Special Presentation, Werewolf By Night, will release. I’m interested to see this version, however I do not, and I emphasize, do not, want it to replace the original version.

There are rumors on Daniel Radcliffe’s involvement in Deadpool 3, potentially portraying the MCU’s version of Wolverine. He has been often fancasted, alongside Rocketman star Taron Egerton, to play the character who’s been played by Hugh Jackman for 24 years. There have also been a few reports that Karl Urban could be playing the clawed superhero. This is would make him the third actor to play more than one character in the MCU, as he played the Executioner in Thor: Ragnarok. Only time can tell whether any of these rumors will be true. Deadpool 3 will be in theaters May 3, 2024 (it will probably be delayed soon b/c of the actor’s strike).

Jonathan Majors’ trial date for his domestic violence allegations has, yet again, been moved to October 25, placing it exactly seven months after the incident occurred.

Several CQMBs ago I noted that Ryan Coogler was an open option to direct Avengers: Secret Wars, but recent reports state that Sam Raimi is being spotted to direct the film. Raimi directed Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. He’s also famous for directing the Tobey Maguire Spider-Man films. Rumors have also stated Deadpool 3 director, Shawn Levy, is in the running. We’ve yet to have confirmation as to who exactly is directing, but I am so eager to know. Avengers: Secret Wars will be in theaters May 7, 2027 (it will probably be delayed soon b/c of the actor’s strike).

Recent rumors reports state that Jake Gyllenhaal has been up for the role of Mister Fantastic, which makes zero sense because he played the prominent role of Mysterio in the MCU already. I’ve had enough with the Fantastic 4 rumors. Just tell us who is in the cast! Fantastic Four will be in theaters May 2, 2025 (it will probably be delayed soon b/c of the actor’s strike).

This month, the WGA Strike (writer’s strike) met its end after the writers finalized deals with the Hollywood studios. Now remember there has been another strike occurring simultaneously with the WGA Strike, which is the SAG-AFTRA Strike (actor’s strike). That strike is still being dealt with between actors and studios, but it feels like things are beginning to clear up for the movie world.

Following the conclusion of the WGA Strike, Disney’s release schedule for their upcoming content no longer included Vision Quest, which it had before. This has people wondering if the show has been canceled or just simply delayed. Only time will tell.

With the WGA strike now at its end, writers have returned to work. In this time, we’ve gotten reports that an X-Men movie is in early development at Marvel Studios. This movie won’t be out for a good while, but I’m excited this opportunity is finally available for the MCU.

Thank you for taking time out of your day to read this month's CQMB. Be sure to stay tuned for the next CQMB which will release on the first of November.