Marvel Studios recently unveiled its release strategy for upcoming movies, Disney+ shows, and animated series in Phase 6 and beyond… and it’s concerning. The studio once dominated theaters during the 2010s. During its heyday, Marvel Studios released three movies a year, with fans constantly begging for more. But, then the dreaded superhero fatigue hit as the quality of comic book adaptations took a sharp nosedive following Avengers: Endgame (aside from a few exceptions). Marvel president, Kevin Feige, previously said the studio would be slowing down its release slate to give fans a breather. But the company’s latest update shows the company hasn’t listened to the fans.
Marvel Studios unveiled its updated release strategy as part of the Disney Upfronts presentation (via Discussing Film). Along with a new trailer for the Ironheart Disney+ series and the first look at Daredevil: Born Again Season 2, Marvel Studios revealed a major backtrack on its past promise to slow down its annual output. Moving forward, Marvel will produce a maximum of three movies, two live-action shows, and two animated shows every year. Remember in the 2010s when three movies a year sometimes felt like a lot? Marvel doesn’t.

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The full reason for the strategy change hasn’t been revealed. But Marvel Studios is known for jumping the gun. The new strategy could be a result of the success of Thunderbolts* and Daredevil: Born Again, which may have prompted the studio to overcommit to more projects moving forward. Fantastic Four: First Steps, Ironheart, Eyes of Wakanda, Marvel Zombies, and Wonder Man are all releasing this year.
Why Marvel Fans Should Be Worried

Marvel Studios producing more movies isn’t a bad thing in itself. The studio successfully juggled a packed production slate while maintaining decent, and occasionally really good, quality in the past. But the concerns are the result of Marvel’s more recent track record. The MCU has been on a rocky road since 2020, one from which it is only just recovering.
Superhero fatigue is often used as a scapegoat for the MCU’s past downfall. But that is too simplistic a reason. Audiences aren’t simply tired of superhero projects, as shows like The Boys, Invincible, and the MCU’s own Thunderbolts* have proven. But, they are becoming increasingly tired of over-commercialized and underwhelming popcorn movies (or theme park rides, as Martin Scorsese would call them). Can Marvel Studios hit its desired production target without over-saturating the genre? Absolutely. But the studio has to start taking more creative risks to achieve this.
Thunderbolts* felt like a breath of fresh air because of how much of the film was shot in-camera. Add to that the unique score and the impressive cinematography, and it is arguably the closest Marvel Studios has come to producing an actual “film” since the first Iron Man. DC Studios is implementing that practice by hiring some beloved and unique directors to helm upcoming projects, which gives each movie a distinct voice. Hopefully, Marvel Studios will learn the same lesson moving forward —we’re still waiting for Edgar Wright’s take on Ant-Man.
Source: Discussing Film