Marvel Studios is reportedly moving away from a theatrical Young Avengers project, with a potential Disney+ series, “Champions,” now in development.
This shift aligns with Marvel’s recent efforts to prioritize quality over quantity following a series of underwhelming box office performances.
Over the past few years, the MCU has struggled to recapture the momentum of its Avengers: Endgame (2019) success. High-profile flops, like The Marvels (2023), have sparked criticism of the studio’s oversaturated release schedule, exacerbated by an influx of Disney+ content. Fans have found it increasingly challenging to stay engaged with the sprawling interconnected narrative.
Disney CEO Bob Iger recently announced a renewed focus on fewer, higher-quality projects. In response, Marvel has canceled or overhauled several productions, including Daredevil: Born Again and Captain America: Brave New World (2025), which have undergone significant rewrites and reshoots.
Amid this recalibration, Young Avengers—a team-up of Marvel’s younger heroes like Ms. Marvel (Iman Vellani), Kate Bishop (Hailee Steinfeld), and Cassie Lang (Kathryn Newton)—has reportedly been shelved as a theatrical release. YouTuber Kristian Harloff suggests the project will resurface as a limited Disney+ series titled “Champions.”
“I’m hearing this is going to be a show,” Harloff shared, adding that Steinfeld and Vellani (who previously met in the finale of The Marvel) aare expected to reprise their roles. Although details remain scarce, the series could serve as a reimagined take on the Young Avengers concept, providing a more focused platform for its ensemble cast.
This pivot follows The Marvels’ disappointing $200 million loss, which highlighted Marvel’s challenge in sustaining female-led stories at the box office. While Young Avengers features a predominantly female roster, its perceived lack of mass-market appeal may have driven the decision to prioritize streaming.
Marvel’s evolving strategy reflects a broader shift in how studios navigate audience expectations and financial realities in the superhero genre. Whether on the big screen or Disney+, we just hope we can see Kamala Khan and her peers continue their journey in the MCU ASAP.
Would you prefer a theatrical Young Avengers release, or does Disney+ feel like the right fit?