MCU: Upcoming Marvel Release Dates — ‘Doctor Strange,’ ‘Iron Fist,’ ‘Guardians Of The Galaxy 2’ And More
The blockbuster-filled summer seems like a distant memory, the initial excitement for Ghost Rider’s introduction to Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. has waned, and everyone has had time to watch Marvel’s Luke Cage on Netflix. Now, fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe can’t wait for Doctor Strange, Iron Fist and all the other movies and series that continue to breathe new life into classic characters from Marvel Comics. With the next big movie set for release this weekend — and the next collaboration from Marvel Studios and Netflix so close that you can practically smell the streets of New York — what follows is a summary of upcoming MCU projects, along with trailers and release dates (when available).
Doctor Strange
Doctor Strange will be the 14th full-length film contributing to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the second chapter of Phase Three. While the clash between Team Iron Man and Team Captain America seemed epic over the summer, Doctor Strange is the next step towards Avengers: Infinity War (due out in May of 2018), which should make Civil War seem like a mere skirmish in comparison. The newest addition to the MCU is described by Marvel.
“… the story of world-famous neurosurgeon Dr. Stephen Strange whose life changes forever after a horrific car accident robs him of the use of his hands… Before long, Strange—armed with newly acquired magical powers—is forced to choose whether to return to his life of fortune and status or leave it all behind to defend the world as the most powerful sorcerer in existence.”
Doctor Strange is rated PG-13 and will hit theaters this Friday, November 4. Benedict Cumberbatch plays the titular role.
Iron Fist
The fourth and final series on Netflix designed to build towards a Defenders crossover series is Iron Fist, telling the story of the man who made up one half of the Heroes For Hire — along with Power Man/Luke Cage — in Marvel Comics. Both seasons of Marvel’s Daredevil have been received with rave reviews, and the same can be said for Jessica Jones and Luke Cage. While the shows all truly feel like they exist in the same universe, they each have their own aesthetic and voice that makes them unique. This new character will bring a uniquely Eastern emphasis to the Marvel/Netflix world, complete with his martial arts skills and chi-centric Iron Fist powers. Finn Jones stars as Iron Fist/Danny Rand.
As noted by Den of Geek, the first season of Marvel’s Iron Fist will released via Netflix on March 17, 2017, and will be rated TV-MA.
Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2
As reported by Neon Tommy, the first Guardians of the Galaxy movie grossed nearly $280 million in 2014, outperforming Captain America: The Winter Soldier that was released earlier that same year. All of the stars are back for round two, including Chris Pratt (Star-Lord/Peter Quill), Zoe Saldana (Gamora), Dave Bautista (Drax the Destroyer), Vin Diesel (Groot) and Bradley Cooper (as the voice of Rocket). It is the third installment of Phase Three, and the 15th MCU movie overall.
The sequel to Guardians of the Galaxy is scheduled for theatrical release on May 5, 2017, and will likely be rated PG-13.
Spider-Man: Homecoming
Just two months after GOTG 2, Spider-Man takes center stage for the first time in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Since the origin of Spider-Man has already been told many times in prior movies, the MCU version will pick up right where Civil War left off, as Peter Parker deals with the dual stressors of an ordinary teenage life and the extraordinary gifts he has as a crime fighter. The role of Spider-Man will be reprised by Tom Holland, with appearances by Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man) and Marisa Tomei (May Parker). Actors Michael Keaton and Donald Glover have yet-unspecified roles.
Spider-Man: Homecoming is scheduled to hit theaters on July 7, 2017, and will likely be rated PG-13.
RELATED REPORTS BY THE INQUISITR
- MCU: 5 Ways Agents Of SHIELD: Ghost Rider Could Cross Over With The Netflix Marvel Universe
- The First 5 Marvel Comics Characters You Meet In Luke Cage — And Which Characters Are New For Netflix
- Marvel Cinematic Universe: 6 Epic Crossover Battles That Should Happen In The MCU
- Marvel: The 5 Biggest Surprises And Twists In Luke Cage On Netflix
- DCTV: Supergirl vs. Gotham — Which DC Comics TV Series Rules Monday Nights?
- Hulu: Five Smart Comedies Every Millennial Should Be Watching
- DCTV: Supergirl And Superman To Battle DC Comics Villain Metallo On The CW
- MCU And DCTV: When Do Luke Cage, Arrow, Supergirl, The Flash And Others Return To Netflix And The CW?
- DCTV: Gotham Season 3 Premiere Recap — Old Villains And New Love In Gotham City
- MCU: Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD Season 4 Premiere Recap — Ghost Rider vs. Quake
The Punisher and The Defenders on Netflix — Cloak And Dagger on Freeform
While specific dates have not yet been set for Marvel’s The Punisher or Marvel’s The Defenders, they are both set to be available before the end of next year. Netflix genuinely puts anywhere from three to eight months in between Marvel-based series. With Iron Fist set for March, it would be reasonable to think that The Punisher will be released next summer (between Spider-Man and Thor), with The Defenders coming out towards the end of the year (between Thor and Black Panther).
Even less is known about Marvel’s Cloak and Dagger, a series set to be released in 2017 on Freeform (previously known as ABC Family and The Family Channel). Potentially going after the same crowd that loves Supergirl and The Flash on The CW, Variety describes Cloak and Dagger.
“… the live-action interracial romance [that] follows the duo, two teenagers from very different backgrounds, who find themselves burdened and awakened to newly acquired superpowers while falling in love — Tandy can emit light daggers and Tyrone has the ability to engulf others in darkness.”
The Punisher, The Defenders and Cloak And Dagger are all scheduled to be released in 2017.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBZtM8q2Z1g
[Featured Image by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for Disney]
