Which MCU Phase Six Movie Did Marvel Remove From the Slate Permanently?
Marvel Studios is once again at a crossroads, with its cinematic future under close watch following another shift in Disney’s theatrical slate. With one Marvel movie removed from the calendar and The Simpsons stepping into its place, the MCU is entering what may be its most defining era yet.
Even without a presence at San Diego Comic-Con this year, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige made headlines when he teased the franchise’s evolving direction. In recent press conversations, Feige addressed how the studio is adapting in the streaming-heavy market while redefining its theatrical strategy.
One of the biggest revelations was the creative shift away from Jonathan Majors’ Kang the Conqueror in favor of introducing Doctor Doom, with Robert Downey Jr. returning to the Marvel fold—this time not as Iron Man, but stepping into the role of the iconic Fantastic Four villain.
Looking ahead, Feige was cautious with his terminology, noting that Avengers: Doomsday (2026) and Avengers: Secret Wars (2027) could serve as a refresh without being a hard restart. “Reboot is a scary word,” Feige told Variety. “Reboot can mean a lot of things to a lot of people. Reset, singular timeline—we’re thinking along those lines […] X-Men is where that will happen next.”
That vision echoes thoughts recently shared by Joe and Anthony Russo, the directing duo behind Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and Avengers: Endgame (2019). The brothers suggested that Doomsday and Secret Wars won’t serve as a capstone, but rather usher in a new wave of Marvel storytelling.
Feige also teased that a yet-to-be-revealed superpowered character will be joining the MCU, though details remain secret. What is confirmed, however, is that Tom Holland will return in Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026), swinging onto screens just months before Earth’s Mightiest Heroes regroup.
With Doom’s rise, the X-Men on the horizon, and another universe-defining reset in play, Marvel is setting up the foundation for a sweeping new era.
In a surprising pivot, Disney announced that a new Simpsons movie will open on July 23, 2027, occupying a slot that had originally belonged to Marvel.
The project remains untitled, and story details are under wraps, but longtime cast members Dan Castellaneta, Yeardley Smith, Nancy Cartwright, and Julie Kavner will likely be joined once again by Hank Azaria and Harry Shearer. The move highlights Disney’s intent to bring The Simpsons back to theaters while capitalizing on one of the biggest properties acquired through 20th Century Fox.
Marvel’s lineup still holds plenty of untitled films and shifting projects, and three titles in particular were thought to be in contention for that 2027 slot.
A follow-up to 2021’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is confirmed to be happening, with Simu Liu returning and Destin Daniel Cretton expected to direct. Cretton, however, is occupied with Spider-Man: Brand New Day, slowing down progress. While the sequel was seemingly set to arrive between Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars, The Simpsons’ new date suggests Shang-Chi 2 has been pushed further back.
Doctor Strange is also poised for another chapter, though no official date has been secured. Rumors point toward a 2027 release with Benedict Cumberbatch returning as the Sorcerer Supreme, picking up threads from 2022’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, where Clea pulled Strange into another dimension. Cumberbatch confirmed earlier this year that discussions about a third installment were already underway.
Perhaps the most turbulent project on Marvel’s slate is Blade. Announced in 2019 with Mahershala Ali set to star, the film has faced creative setbacks, including director changes, writer rotations, and tonal shifts. While Feige has assured fans that the project will only proceed once the script is finalized, the vampire hunter remains in limbo without a release date.
Together, these projects illustrate the balancing act Marvel now faces: keeping anticipation high while navigating a shifting schedule.
At present, Marvel has only three confirmed release dates before 2028: Spider-Man: Brand New Day in July 2026, Avengers: Doomsday in December 2026, and Avengers: Secret Wars in December 2027.
Will the trade-off be worth it? Marvel’s loss is The Simpsons’ theatrical gain—and it may change the way Disney prioritizes its biggest properties in the years ahead.
