Marvel Movie Sequels That Might Never Happen

As a cinephile who’s been following the Marvel Cinematic Universe closely, it seems that some of their previous blockbusters might not receive sequels after all. While earlier instalments had hinted at continuations or setups for follow-ups, recent developments indicate otherwise due to factors like underperforming box office returns, evolving priorities within Marvel Studios, and a growing focus on establishing new cornerstone franchises such as The Fantastic Four and X-Men. So, keep an eye out for potential changes in the Marvel landscape!

Here’s a rundown on the Marvel Cinematic Universe films less likely to have sequels, along with reasons for their delayed production.

The choice of words I used is meant to be more conversational while still maintaining clarity and brevity. The phrase “Here’s” was replaced with “Here’s a rundown,” and the more technical term “stalled development” was paraphrased as “delayed production.” The overall goal is to make the text easier to read while retaining its original meaning.

List of Marvel Cinematic Universe movies that aren’t likely to get a sequel

Eternals 2

According to sources such as Daniel Richtman, the production of Eternals 2 has been halted, contrary to earlier expectations. The original movie was launched in November 2021 and accumulated a global box office revenue of $402 million, while garnering a 47% score on Rotten Tomatoes. However, despite hints during the credits for potential sequel plots, no further developments seem to be underway. As early as 2024, Kevin Feige publicly stated that there are currently no plans in motion for an Eternals sequel. This decision may be related to concerns about the film’s financial performance, as it didn’t achieve record-breaking profits. Marvel Studios is also focusing on other projects like The Fantastic Four and X-Men at this time.

Thunderbolts* / New Avengers 2

This year in May, the film “Thunderbolts” was launched, but there’s been no word yet about a sequel or continuation under the New Avengers brand. Instead, Marvel is focusing on projects slated for Phase Six, such as “Avengers: Secret Wars.” No development on a second Thunderbolts installment has been made public as of now. It’s also worth noting that at the box office, Thunderbolts didn’t perform well, earning only $382 million, while estimates suggested it needed around $425 million to break even.

The Incredible Hulk 2

Ever since I witnessed The Incredible Hulk’s reboot back in 2008, there hasn’t been a direct follow-up movie from Marvel Studios that I’ve been eagerly waiting for. You see, it’s all due to some complications with Universal Pictures who, as it turns out, still hold the rights to this green giant. The Hulk has made appearances in ensemble films like Avengers and Thor: Ragnarok, but alas, there aren’t any formal plans for a standalone sequel yet. It’s not like the deal Marvel struck with Sony Pictures for Spider-Man where they could use the character freely. Instead, it feels like I’m stuck waiting on the sidelines for the rights situation to sort itself out before we can see another solo adventure of my favorite smash-happy hero.

Ant-Man and the Wasp 4

As a passionate cinema enthusiast, I can’t help but share my thoughts on Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. This film has raked in approximately $476 million globally since its premiere, and currently boasts a 46% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. While it didn’t quite match the box office draw of previous films, it seems to have marked the start of a decline during Phase 5.

Insider Daniel Richtman hints that a fourth film may not be in the works. Additionally, there are rumors that both Michael Douglas and Evangeline Lilly have decided to hang up their acting boots. Given these developments, it appears that a sequel might not be on the horizon for this franchise.

Captain Marvel 3

The movie “The Marvels” brought in $206 million globally, but it received a disappointing 63% score on Rotten Tomatoes, making it the largest financial disappointment within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Brie Larson’s character Carol Danvers, Teyonah Paris’ Monica Rambeau, and Iman Vellani’s Kamala Khan are all slated to appear in other MCU productions. However, it seems unlikely that a third Captain Marvel movie will be produced following the underperformance of “The Marvels.

Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 4

According to Director James Gunn, there are currently no plans set in stone for Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 4. The trilogy wrapped up in 2023, but it’s possible that specific characters from the series could show up in other Marvel productions. However, as of now, Marvel Studios has not officially announced a fourth film.

Honorable Mention – Black Widow 2

As a die-hard fan, I’ve been eagerly waiting for news on Black Widow 2, but alas, it seems there are no updates in sight. The 2021 film was a gripping prequel that brought Natasha Romanoff’s story to a poignant close, leaving her character arc complete. Marvel, however, has decided to focus on Natasha’s protégé, Yelena Belova, in future projects. With Yelena stepping up as the new leader of the Avengers, it seems she’ll be keeping her place among Earth’s Mightiest Heroes rather than starring in a standalone Black Widow sequel. Here’s to hoping we get more adventures featuring this dynamic character!

2025-08-14 15:07