Kevin Feige at the 2024 San Diego Comic-Con, where he provided updates for some Phase Six films
By April 2014,Marvel Studios presidentKevin Feige said that additional storylines for theirmedia franchise andshared universe, theMarvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) were planned through 2028.[1] During Marvel Studios' panel atSan Diego Comic-Con in July 2019, Feige announced several films andDisney+ television series in development forPhase Four of the MCU,[2] before revealing the filmBlade and aFantastic Four film were also in development.[3][4] After the panel, Feige confirmed thatBlade was not part of the Phase Four slate at the time, and that what was announced was the full Phase Four slate at that point, despite Marvel already developing further projects at that time.[5]Fantastic Four was formally confirmed in December 2020;[6][7] the film was believed to be a part of Phase Four at that time.[8]
By June 2021, in addition toWhat If...?, Marvel Studios was developing a slate of at least three more animated series.[9][10] During theDisney+ Day event in November 2021, Marvel Studios announced theWhat If...? spin-off seriesMarvel Zombies.[11] By the end of November 2021, producerAmy Pascal said that Marvel Studios was planning at least three moreSpider-Man films starringTom Holland withSony Pictures afterSpider-Man: No Way Home (2021),[12] and the following month, Marvel Studios and Sony were actively beginning to develop the story for the fourth MCUSpider-Man film.[13] Also in December,Destin Daniel Cretton was revealed to be developing a comedy series through his companyFamily Owned,[14][15] as part of his overall deal with Marvel Studios to develop television projects for the studio for Disney+ in addition to returning to write and direct a sequel toShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021).[14] In April 2022, Feige said he and Marvel Studios were on a creative retreat to plan and discuss the MCU films for the following 10 years,[16] and in June 2022, said information on the next saga of the MCU would be provided in the following months, with Marvel Studios being a "little more direct" on their future plans to provide audiences with "the bigger picture [so they] can see a tiny, tiny bit more of the roadmap" following the clues included during Phase Four.[17] Cretton's series was also revealed to beWonder Man that month.[18]
At Marvel Studios' San Diego Comic-Con panel in July 2022, Feige announced thatFantastic Four would be the first film of Phase Six. He also announced that the phase would conclude with twoensemble films,Avengers: The Kang Dynasty andAvengers: Secret Wars, both to be released in 2025, and that Phase Six, along with Phase Four andPhase Five, would be part of "The Multiverse Saga".[19] The films were respectively inspired by "Kang Dynasty", a 2001 comic book storyline written byKurt Busiek in whichKang the Conqueror travels through time to enslave humanity, andSecret Wars, the name of a1984–85 comic written byJim Shooter and a2015–16 comic written byJonathan Hickman that both follow various Marvel characters who converge on the planetBattleworld.[20] Feige noted that while not all projects in Phase Six or the previous two phases would directly tie into the largermultiverse storyline, the various storylines that would weave together leading intoSecret Wars was "a whole new aspect to the MCU".[21] At the panel, Feige also confirmed the filmBlade for Phase Five.[19] Following Marvel Studios' SDCC panel, Disney announced athird season ofWhat If...? and asecond season ofYour Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, then titledSpider-Man: Sophomore Year.[22][23] In October, Marvel Studios delayedBlade to September 2024 and pushed back the releases ofFantastic Four andAvengers: Secret Wars as a result.[24] In early February 2023,Disney CEOBob Iger announced that the company would be re-evaluating the volume of content it outputs as a way to cut costs over the next few years.[25] Shortly after, when reflecting on the amount of Disney+ content released for Phase Four in a short time frame, Feige anticipated that Marvel Studios would look to space out the releases of the Disney+ series in Phase Five and Six or put fewer out each year "so they can each get a chance to shine".[21]
The start of the2023 Writers Guild of America strike in May 2023 was not expected to impact the MCU projects in production, or preparing to begin production, at that time, namelyWonder Man andFantastic Four, with Marvel Studios reportedly planning to shoot what they could duringprincipal photography and make any necessary writing adjustments during each project's already scheduled reshoots.[26] Production onWonder Man was shut down by the end of the month, with plans to resume filming when the strike concluded.[27] In June, Disney delayedFantastic Four to May 2, 2025,Avengers: The Kang Dynasty to May 1, 2026, andAvengers: Secret Wars to May 7, 2027,[28] in part due to the writers' strike and Disney's intentions to improve the quality of MCU content from writing through post-production, after disappointing reception and lower box office earnings for several recently released films following theCOVID-19 pandemic.[29] The following month, Iger stated the company would be reducing spending and creation of Marvel content, admitting that Marvel Studios' expansion into Disney+ series and more films had "diluted focus and attention" after a number of underachieving films at the box office in Phases Four and Five.[30][31] In early September 2023, Marvel Studios announcedWonder Man had an undetermined release, due to the2023 Hollywood labor disputes and a desire to slow down their content output and make each of their titles "an event".[32]
When the2023 SAG-AFTRA strike ended that November, Disney delayed several films to accommodate the resumption of production, including movingBlade to November 7, 2025,[33] making it part of the Phase Six slate.[34] Also that month, it was reported that Marvel Studios executives had discussed potentially bringing back the originalAvengers cast, includingRobert Downey Jr. asTony Stark / Iron Man, as well as alternative plans for the Multiverse Saga due toKang the Conqueror actorJonathan Majors'slegal issues surrounding assault allegations from earlier that year, including pivoting to focus on another comic book antagonist such asDoctor Doom.[35] The following month, Disney and Marvel Studios fired Majors after he was found guilty of harassment and reckless assault in the third degree. His character had been set to be the main antagonist of the Multiverse Saga, particularlyThe Kang Dynasty. By then, Marvel Studios had begun to internally refer to that film asAvengers 5.[36] Additionally,Marvel Studios Animation announced the seriesEyes of Wakanda,[37] which was planned to be released in 2024.[38]
Fantastic Four was retitledThe Fantastic Four in February 2024, when its release date was moved to July 25, 2025, swapping with the Phase Five filmThunderbolts*.[39][40] In May 2024, Iger said Disney planned to release two, or at most three, Marvel films and two Marvel series a year moving forward. This was down from up to four films and around four series being released in some recent years, and was part of the company's larger strategy to reduce its content output and focus on quality; at that time, four films were still planned to be released in 2026. He said Marvel content would continue to balance sequels with new franchises.[41] Later that month,VisionQuest, a spin-off series fromWandaVision (2021) centered on the characterVision, was revealed to be in development for release in 2026;[42][43] it concludes a trilogy of series that includesWandaVision andAgatha All Along (2024),[43] and was previously being developed by those series' creatorJac Schaeffer.[44] In July 2024,The Fantastic Four was further retitledThe Fantastic Four: First Steps,[34] whileAvengers 5 was titledAvengers: Doomsday along with the announcement of Downey playing a new villain,Victor von Doom / Doctor Doom, in that film andSecret Wars.[45] At Disney'sD23 convention in August, Feige confirmed thatDaredevil: Born Again would have asecond season,[46][47] which would consist of eight episodes carried over from the originally announced 18-episode first season following the series' creative overhaul.[48][49][50] In October, Disney removedBlade from its release calendar,[51] while Sony scheduledSpider-Man: Brand New Day for release on July 24, 2026.[52][53] This filled a date that Disney had previously scheduled for an unspecified Marvel Studios film.[54][52] Later that month, Marvel Studios announced the release dates for their Disney+ projects through the end of 2024 and 2025, includingEyes of Wakanda,Marvel Zombies, andWonder Man.[55]
In January 2025, athird season ofYour Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man was revealed to be in development.[56] In February 2025, Sony pushed the release of the fourthSpider-Man film back a week to July 31, 2026,[57] while aMarvel Studios Special Presentation starringJon Bernthal asFrank Castle / Punisher was revealed to be in development for release in 2026,[58] alongside the second season ofDaredevil: Born Again, which is scheduled to debut in March 2026.[59][58][60] In May 2025, Disney delayed the release ofDoomsday andSecret Wars to December 18, 2026, and December 17, 2027, respectively, to allow more time for production to be completed.[61] In September 2025,Born Again was renewed for a third season,[62] and the next month,Wonder Man was pushed back to January 2026.[63]
Ahead of the start of the Phase with the release ofFirst Steps in July 2025, Feige called Phase Six "the most focused phase" after Phase Four and Five were used by Marvel Studios to "experiment". He explained, "We used it to evolve and then we used it to expand – too much.Secret Wars, as in the comics, is as much about bringing certain storylines to a close as it is about launching a new one, and that's what's very exciting."[64]
Marvel Studios originally announced the fifthAvengers film asAvengers: The Kang Dynasty atSan Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) in July 2022,[19] to be directed by Destin Daniel Cretton,[94] whileJeff Loveness was writing the script by September.[95] They both left by November 2023 whenMichael Waldron joined as writer.[96][97]Kang the Conqueror actorJonathan Majors was attached to star in the film until he was fired the next month followingan assault conviction.[36] At the July 2024 SDCC, Marvel Studios announced the film's new title,Robert Downey Jr.'s casting as the film's new antagonist Victor von Doom / Doctor Doom (after previously portrayingTony Stark / Iron Man in the MCU),Anthony and Joe Russo as the directors and producers through their production companyAGBO, andStephen McFeely as the new writer,[45][98] working with Waldron.[70] The film features an ensemble cast, including many actors who have appeared in other MCU media.[99] Filming began in April 2025 at Pinewood Studios in England,[100][101] and wrapped that September.[102]Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled to be released on December 18, 2026.[61]
Marvel Studios announcedAvengers: Secret Wars at the July 2022 SDCC,[19] with Waldron writing the script that October.[104] The Russo brothers were announced in July 2024 as the directors and producers through AGBO, along with McFeely as the new writer and Downey's casting as Doctor Doom.[45][98] Filming is scheduled to begin in mid-2026 at Pinewood Studios in England.[105][101] and is expected to last for approximately six months.[106]Avengers: Secret Wars is scheduled to be released on December 17, 2027.[61]
The main Fantastic Four cast will be returning fromDoomsday in the film.[34]
TheHatut Zaraze,Wakandan warriors, carry out dangerous missions around the world to retrievevibranium artifacts throughout history.[122]
Eyes of Wakanda was announced from Marvel Studios Animation in December 2023,[37] created in collaboration withBlack Panther (2018) andBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022) directorRyan Coogler's production companyProximity Media. In May 2024, Todd Harris was revealed to have created the series,[123][124] and he serves as the director andshowrunner.[109][125] He previously served as a storyboard artist at Marvel Studios.[124][125] John Fang also directs.[110]Eyes of Wakanda was released on August 1, 2025,[126] and consist of four episodes.[127]
A group of survivors fight against former heroes and villains that have been turned into zombies.[130]
In November 2021, an animated series based on the comic book seriesMarvel Zombies was announced,[107][11] withBryan Andrews directing andZeb Wells serving ashead writer;[107] Andrews was later revealed as showrunner.[109][111] It is a continuation of the reality first introduced in theWhat If...? episode "What If... Zombies?!" and includes characters introduced inPhase Four of the MCU.[131]Marvel Zombies was released on Disney+ on September 24, 2025, and consists of four episodes.[111]
Marvel Zombies is set in 2023, five years after the events of theWhat If...? episode.[132] Over 15 actors reprise their MCU roles inMarvel Zombies, with several actors fromWhat If...? also reprising their roles.[133]Todd Williams voicesEric Brooks / Blade Knight in the series.[134][111]
In December 2021, Destin Daniel Cretton signed a multi-year deal with Marvel Studios to develop television projects for Disney+, with a comedy series already in development by then, through Cretton's companyFamily Owned,[14][15] andOnyx Collective.[136][14] In June 2022, the series was revealed to beWonder Man, centered on the characterSimon Williams / Wonder Man, withAndrew Guest joining to develop the series and serve as head writer;[18] Guest later becameshowrunner.[112] In October,Yahya Abdul-Mateen II was cast as the title character.[137] Filming began in April 2023 in Los Angeles,[138][139] with Cretton,James Ponsoldt, Tiffany Johnson, andStella Meghie directing episodes of the series,[114] but was shut down the next month because of the WGA strike.[27] Filming resumed in January 2024,[140] and concluded by that April.[141]Wonder Man is scheduled to premiere on Disney+ on January 27, 2026,[63] as part of the "Marvel Spotlight" banner,[112] and is expected to consist of eight episodes.[113]
Thefirst season ofDaredevil: Born Again premiered in March 2025.[50] The series was announced in July 2022 with an 18-episode first season,[19] but following its creative overhaul in September 2023, this was split into two seasons,[49][50] and the series was renewed for a third season in September 2025.[62]Charlie Cox andVincent D'Onofrio return to star as Murdock and Fisk, respectively,[145][146] along with showrunnerDario Scardapane.[60][115] DirectorsJustin Benson and Aaron Moorhead returned for the second season,[48] withSolvan Naim,Iain B. MacDonald, and Angela Barnes also serving as directors.[116] Scardapane described as the second season as the second part of the first season.[50] Filming for the second season began at the end of February 2025 and wrapped that July,[48][116] with filming for the third season expected to begin in early 2026.[146] The second season is scheduled to premiere on Disney+ on March 4, 2026,[59] and is set to consist of eight episodes,[48][60] while the third season is set to premiere in March 2027.[117]
Terry Matalas redevelopedVisionQuest as its showrunner and lead director
A spin-off series fromWandaVision centered onPaul Bettany's characterVision, titledVision Quest, was in development by October 2022.Jac Schaeffer was set to return as head writer with Bettany starring,[44] but Schaeffer was no longer developing it by May 2024 due to her focus on the first spin-off,Agatha All Along (2024), andTerry Matalas was hired to redevelop the series as its showrunner.[42] The series concludes a trilogy that also includesWandaVision andAgatha All Along.[43] Filming had begun by March 2025 at Pinewood Studios in London,[147] with Matalas, Christopher J. Byrne,Vincenzo Natali,[120] and Gandja Monteiro directing episodes of the series,[118][independent source needed] and concluded in July 2025.[148]VisionQuest is scheduled to debut on Disney+ in late 2026,[119] and will consist of eight episodes.[118]
The first season ofYour Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man premiered in January 2025.[55] A second season, initially titledSpider-Man: Sophomore Year, was announced in July 2022,[22] continuing the naming convention of the series' original title,Spider-Man: Freshman Year.[37] A third season was announced in January 2025.[56] Jeff Trammell returned as head writer and showrunner for the seasons, and said in January 2025 that the series was not limited to covering one school year per season.[121][108] The second season is expected to premiere in late 2026.[23] Winderbaum said in October 2025 that future seasons would be released annually "for a number of years".[152]
In February 2025, a Special Presentation centered on Jon Bernthal's character Frank Castle / Punisher from Marvel's Netflix series andDaredevil: Born Again was announced to be in development.[153]Reinaldo Marcus Green was set to direct the special and was writing the script with Bernthal, after they worked together on the miniseriesWe Own This City (2022).[154] Filming began in mid-July 2025, in New York City,[155][156] and wrapped in early August.[157] The special is scheduled to be released on Disney+ in 2026.[58]
Eyes of Wakanda is set in several past time periods, from 1260 BC to 1896 AD.[128][129]Avengers: Doomsday is set 14 months after the events ofThunderbolts* (2025).[103]VisionQuest is set after the events ofWandaVision.[42]The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set onEarth-828 in 1964.[80][81]Marvel Zombies is set in 2023 on the alternate reality from theWhat If...? episode "What If... Zombies?!" (2021), five years after those events.[132]
This section includes characters who will appear in multiple films and/or television series within Phase Six of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and have appeared in the billing block for at least one film or have been a member of the starring cast for at least one series.
A dark grey cell indicates the character's presence in the films or series has not yet been announced.
Recurring cast and characters of Marvel Cinematic Universe: Phase Six
X-Men '97seasons 2 and3: A continuation ofX-Men: The Animated Series (1992–1997), produced by Marvel Studios via its Marvel Animation label. Beau DeMayo served as head writer, with Jake Castorena assupervising director and Chase Conley and Emi-Emmett Yonemura also directing.[174][175] Many cast members from the original series returned to reprise their roles or voice new characters.[176]X-Men '97 is not set in theSacred Timeline of the MCU,[177][178][179] though Feige did consider integrating the series with the MCU during development.[180] Instead,X-Men '97 shares continuity with the original series andseveral other animated Marvel series that were released in the 1990s;[181][182] withinMarvel Comics' multiverse,X-Men: The Animated Series exists on Earth-92131.[183] Despite existing outside the Sacred Timeline, the series is listed in the MCU's Multiverse Saga section on Disney+.[184] The second season is scheduled to premiere in mid-2026.[119] Winderbaum said in October 2025 that future seasons would be released annually "for a number of years".[152]
Notes
^Zeb Wells served as thehead writer forMarvel Zombies,[107] while Jeff Trammell served as both the head writer and showrunner ofYour Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man.[108]
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