by several are speculating that Disney CEO Bob Iger‘s announcement of a significant reduction in movie releases means the studio may scrap several Marvel Phase 6 projects.
Disney’s latest cost-cutting initiatives have received a lot of attention as the company works to make up for some financial mistakes made in the previous two years.
The House of Mouse has had to review its content strategy in all areas as a result, deleting titles from Disney+ after massive streaming overspending, condensing its theatrical roster, and reducing budgets for its TV and film projects.
The future of the studio’s programming selection is in doubt as Hollywood as a whole and the studio both continue to reel.
Disney Budget Cuts Might Affect Marvel Phase 6
Fans are concerned about the future of the MCU and what it might imply for Phase 6 of the super-powered franchise following comments made by Disney CEO Bob Iger.
Disney CEO Bob Iger made the announcement about a significant reduction in the studio’s theatrical releases during the Q3 FY23 earnings call. Iger said to shareholders, “We’re focused on enhancing the caliber of our films and on better economics.”
The Hollywood behemoth would also have to deal with “the cost per title,” he continued, “not just [a reduction in] the number of titles [released].”
“We’re focused on improving the quality of our films and on better economics, not just reducing the number of titles we release but also the cost per title. And we’re maximizing the full impact of our titles by embracing the multiple distribution windows at our disposal, enabling consumers to access their content in multiple ways.”
Although it hasn’t been stated expressly that this action by the Disney CEO will have an impact on the MCU’s upcoming slate (particularly Phase 6), some have theorized that it may result in the cancellation of a number of Phase 6 Marvel Studios projects.
A large portion of the Phase 6 timetable has not yet been formally revealed, but given Iger’s new studio philosophy of prioritizing quality over quantity, it would not be entirely unexpected if certain games released before Avengers: Secret Wars suffered budget cuts.
To fit everything in under these more stringent theatrical constraints, either sacrifice will need to be made in the form of some Marvel Phase 6 projects being shelved, or Disney and Marvel Studios will need to significantly extend the MCU calendar past where it is currently set (with Secret Wars releasing on May 7, 2027).
And those who believe Disney will never interfere with or outright axe a Marvel Studios project should rethink their assumptions. The studio’s recent actions have demonstrated that it is not averse to making cuts inside its cherished Marvel universe.
Reports from last autumn (shortly before Iger was appointed CEO again) showed the franchise was experiencing significant setbacks, particularly in the area of animation.
As Disney made drastic cuts to the company, deciding the fate of both announced projects like Spider-Man: Freshman Year and those that had never been formally disclosed to the public, Marvel Studios Animation was reportedly being called a “failed experiment.”
Which Phase 6 films might be canceled?
It is now unclear what exactly will be kept on the Marvel Studios schedule and what will be cut because so much of Phase 6 of the MCU is still a mystery.
As of this writing, only Fantastic Four, Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, and Avengers: Secret Wars are known to be part of Phase 6.
Even while nothing in Hollywood is ever truly secure from cancellation, these three films seem to be the closest thing to sure bets.
Marvel considers the inclusion of its first superhero family in the MCU to be a significant turning point for the series, and casting for Fantastic Four is now underway (at least according to reports). Additionally, Disney appears to be aiming to concentrate more on big events like the two Avengers pictures in the future.
However, one can understand where some cuts might be made by taking a look at some of the rumored Phase 6 Marvel movies.
The likes of Shang-Chi 2, Spider-Man 4, and Black Panther 3 are less likely to be removed, merely because of the success of their preceding movie and/or its history within Disney.
Eternals 2 or Thor 5 are two names that might be given a boost, though. During the fourth phase of the franchise, each of these films had earlier pictures that were underwhelming.
While fans would be disappointed if Thor 5 never materialized, there is a chance that Disney will forego making it in order to give the long-running MCU hero a send-off in one of the two upcoming Avengers films. In the case of Thor, it has also long been rumored that Chris Hemsworth may be finished with his run as the God of Thunder.
Phase 6 of the MCU is scheduled to begin on May 2, 2025, with the release of Fantastic Four.
FAQs
- Is Disney cutting back on Marvel?
According to CEO Bob Iger, Disney is cutting down on the production of films and television shows for its Marvel Studios and Lucasfilm brands. The firm is making the move in an effort to save expenses at a time when its most recent films, from Marvel to animated, have underperformed at the box office.
- Is Marvel Phase 6 the last phase?
Phase 6 is expected to expire in 2025, thus it is safe to assume that it won’t be the final MCU phase.
- Why did Disney remove Marvel phases?
Even though the MCU has some of the best content, many of the ventures fell flat with fans. Marvel is apparently taking the time to make sure Phase Five doesn’t repeat the same mistakes after dealing with erratic CGI and subpar comedy.
