Marvel to release fewer movies in future, Disney CEO confirms

There will be fewer new entries in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the future, according to the CEO of Disney.

Bob Iger was speaking to Wall Street analysts when he confirmed that he plans to release no more than three new Marvel films per year, as well as only two television series in the MCU.

The studio head said that the plan is part of an overall strategy at Disney to focus on quality rather than quantity, with that applying particularly to their Marvel properties.

“We’re slowly going to decrease volume and go to probably about two TV series a year instead of what had become four and reduce our film output from maybe four a year to two, or a maximum of three,” he said. “And we’re working hard on what that path is.”

He continued that the MCU will have “a couple of good films in ’25 and then we’re heading to more Avengers, which we’re extremely excited about.”

“Overall, I feel great about the slate. It’s something that I’ve committed to spending more and more time on. The team is one that I have tremendous confidence in and the IP that we’re mining, including all the sequels that we’re doing, is second to none.”

There are currently four MCU films scheduled for release in 2025: Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts, The Fantastic Four and Blade, with another four slated for 2026, including the fifth Avengers film.

The decision to scale down output comes after a number of high-profile box office disappointments for the studio, including The Marvels, which drew the lowest opening for an MCU film since 2008’s The Incredible Hulk, and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.

The only new film in the MCU in 2024 is set to be Deadpool & Wolverine, which is out on July 26 and recently released its action-packed trailer.

Earlier this month, Deadpool & Wolverine director Shawn Levy addressed rumours that Taylor Swift could appear in the film. The singer has been at the centre of speculation over a potential surprise appearance in the upcoming Marvel film as superhero Dazzler.

However, when asked by Entertainment Tonight about the rumours, Levy replied: “That is hardly confirmed nor denied in this interview. I’m going to literally walk out of the frame and save myself, otherwise Ryan [Reynolds]’s taking a hit [out] on me.”