Following a blockbuster ending to 2021 with Spider-No Way Home, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is all set to begin one of its biggest years in 2022.
Barring any delays because of COVID-19 concerns, 2022 will see the release of 3 movies, 4 TV shows, 2 specials and another season of animated shenanigans.
But with so many projects on the horizon for Marvel Studios, fans might be a bit confused about the timeline of their releases. So here’s a quick rundown of all the Phase 4 projects that will arrive this year.
Moon Knight
Release Date: March 30
To kick things off in 2021, the MCU project pipeline will begin with a Disney+ show revolving around Moon Knight.
Marvel Studios recently released the trailer for the show, and it features Oscar Isaac as the titular character. Ethan Hawke will play the antagonist in Arthur Harrow, and fans can expect to see a lot of brutality from Moon Knight as he’s sure to be one of MCU’s darkest characters.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
Release Date: May 6
Following his multiverse antics with Spider-Man, Doctor Strange has new threats to face in the sequel of his franchise.
The movie’s rumored to feature some crazy cameos along with returning MCU characters such as Wanda Maximoff. With Sam Raimi at the helm, viewers should expect to see a lot of horror elements, and it will also feature some really dark plotlines revolving around Scarlet Witch and Doctor Strange as well.
Thor: Love and Thunder
Release Date: July 8
As one of the original six Avengers, Chris Hemsworth’s Thor has been a staple of the MCU for a long time.
Following the impressive Thor: Ragnarok, Taika Waititi returns for the fourth installment of the series with Christian Bale set to play the antagonist in Gorr the God Butcher. Along with that, Natalie Portman returns as Jane Foster, and she will be taking up the mantle of Lady Thor as well.
She-Hulk
Release Date: Mid 2022
Phase 4 has a ton of projects that provide an extension to the storylines of the original six Avengers. This includes Bruce Banner, as her cousin Jennifer Walters becomes She-Hulk in the upcoming Disney+ show.
Tatiana Maslany will play the role of Jennifer Walters with Jameela Jamil playing the antagonist in Titania. Mark Ruffalo’s Bruce Banner will also return as Dr. Banner and fans hope to see a lot of rage from the two green hued characters in this Disney+ show.
Ms. Marvel
Release Date: Mid 2022
Popular comic book character Kamala Khan aka Ms. Marvel is all set to debut in the MCU as well with her own Disney+ show arriving later this year.
Iman Vellani stars as the Pakistani American character who has shape-shifting powers, and the show will set up The Marvels movie which will arrive in 2023 featuring Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel and Teyonah Parris’ Monica Rambeau.
Werewolf by Night Special
Release Date: October 31
2022 will also be the year in which Marvel Studios will release two specials. The first special will arrive during Halloween and it will feature popular Marvel character in Werewolf by Night.
Gael Garcia Bernal is all set to play the protagonist in Jack Russell, and the one-off special might serve as the character’s entry into the MCU. The special also hints at a future Midnight Sons team-up movie featuring Gael Garcia Bernal’s Werewolf by Night, Oscar Isaac’s Moon Knight, Mahershala Ali’s Blade and many more.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Release Date: November 11
The Black Panther sequel will be one of the more important movies of 2022 for the MCU following the untimely demise of Chadwick Boseman in 2020.
The movie will have important questions to answer such as the person who will lay claim to the throne of Wakanda. With the return of characters such as Shuri and M’Baku, director Ryan Coogler has fans buzzing with the sequel as it will honor the legacy left behind Chadwick Boseman and T’Challa.
Secret Invasion
Release Date: Late 2022
Following their entry into the MCU in Captain Marvel, the alien race in the Skrulls will have an important role to play in the upcoming Disney+ show Secret Invasion.
The project will feature Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury along with Cobie Smulders’ Maria Hill. The cast also includes popular actors such as Olivia Colman and Emilia Clarke, and it will be interesting to see how the show adapts one of Marvel’s best comic book storylines.
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special
Release Date: December 2022
The second MCU television special will revolve around the Guardians of the Galaxy, and it will release during the holidays.
Not much is known about the television special’s plot. However, it has been noted that it will set up Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, which will release in 2023. Along with that, it also seems like the story will involve Groot’s potential return to his home on Planet X.
What If…? Season 2
Release Date: 2022
Marvel Studios’ first attempt at an animated series in What If…? was a resounding success on Disney+ last year, and a second season of the show is slated to release this year.
It will be interesting to see how the showrunners will continue the storyline following the events of Season 1, and it remains to be seen what alternate universes the series will feature in the upcoming season.
