Marvel’s Phase 6 is shaping up to be a very large undertaking for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), and its production hasn’t been without challenges. The latest sign of this is the postponement of the Disney+ series *Wonder Man* until early 2026. This makes *Wonder Man* the fifth Phase 6 project to have its release date changed, suggesting a significant overhaul is happening at Marvel Studios. Although fans may be disappointed by the delays, these changes could ultimately be beneficial for the quality of the films and series.
It’s annoying when projects are delayed, as it can disrupt progress and make audiences wait longer for something they’re excited about. However, extra time allows for polish, reducing the chances of needing costly fixes later, or having to cut corners on quality. Plus, there’s usually a good reason behind each delay – a decision studios make to ensure the final product is the best it can be.
Major MCU Phase 6 Delays & Why They Happened
The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Original Date: November 8, 2024
New Date: July 25, 2025
Phase 6 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe kicked off with the release of *Fantastic Four: First Steps* on July 25, 2025. The movie has been well-received by critics and audiences alike, earning an 86% score on Rotten Tomatoes. It’s also been a hit at the box office, bringing in over $521 million worldwide.
The story takes place in a visually appealing world inspired by the optimistic, futuristic style of the 1960s. It centers around the Fantastic Four – Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Ben Grimm, and Johnny Storm – as they confront the powerful cosmic being Galactus (who has a plot hole) and his messenger, the Silver Surfer (along with Shalla-Bal).
The film finally launched successfully after several delays. Originally planned for November 8, 2024, the release date was first moved to February 14, 2025, before ultimately premiering in July. These changes were necessary due to complications caused by the 2023 writers’ and actors’ strikes.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Original Date: July 24, 2026
New Date: July 31, 2026
Unlike other significant changes to the release schedule, the adjustment for *Spider-Man: Brand New Day* was small and lasted only a week. It was made to prevent *Spider-Man* from competing with Christopher Nolan’s new movie, *The Odyssey*, for premium large-format screens like IMAX.
Because Tom Holland also appears in *The Odyssey*, which comes out July 17, 2026, and director Christopher Nolan often shows his films in IMAX theaters for a longer period, Sony and Marvel decided to delay the new Spider-Man movie by a week. This prevents the two films from competing with each other in theaters and helps both earn more money.
Marvel Studios is planning a major new Spider-Man movie, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, for release in 2026. It will be an important part of setting up the final chapters of the Multiverse Saga. Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, who also directed Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, the film picks up after the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, where everyone forgot Peter Parker’s identity. This sequel will focus on a more personal, down-to-earth story, shifting away from the large-scale, universe-threatening conflicts seen in recent Marvel films.
Wonder Man
Original Date: December 2025
New Date: January 27, 2026
Marvel’s new series, *Wonder Man*, will be the first Marvel show to premiere in 2026, launching all eight episodes on Disney+ on January 27th. Originally planned for December 2025, the release date was moved to avoid competition with other shows released during the busy holiday season, according to Marvel’s head of television and animation, Brad Winderbaum.
The project made a big splash at New York Comic Con 2025 (NYCC), with Marvel Studios unveiling the official trailer. Before the main panel, a short, one-minute teaser was shared, offering fans a taste of the show’s unique style.
Wonder Man is shaping up to be a funny and satirical look at the world of Hollywood. The show centers around Simon Williams (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), an aspiring actor and stunt performer trying to make it big. His story kicks off as he auditions for the role of Wonder Man, a superhero being rebooted as a major motion picture within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
He initially chases fame, but his life changes completely when he suddenly develops real superpowers. The show will combine exciting superhero action with a witty, comedic look at the entertainment world. Releasing it in January will give it maximum attention and allow it to be the first big Marvel project to launch after the recent production delays.
Avengers: Doomsday
Original Date: May 2, 2025
New Date: December 18, 2026
The upcoming Avengers movie, initially called *Avengers: The Kang Dynasty*, has been retitled *Avengers: Doomsday*. This change happened after Jonathan Majors, who was set to play Kang the Conqueror, left the project. The film, now featuring Robert Downey Jr. as the villain Doctor Doom and directed by the Russo brothers, has also been delayed three times.
Originally, the movie was scheduled to come out on May 2, 2025. However, due to problems with the early script and work stoppages, the release date was moved to May 1, 2026. Ultimately, the filmmakers decided to give the film more time for finishing touches and take advantage of the holiday season, so they set the final release date for December 18, 2026.
The delay – moving the release from the typical May timeframe to the lucrative December holiday season – was essential. It gave the Russo brothers and the entire production team the time they needed to handle the film’s massive scale. Because the movie has thousands of visual effects and a huge cast, getting everything right was more important than rushing the process.
Avengers: Secret Wars
Original Date: November 2025
New Date: December 17, 2027
The highly anticipated film *Avengers: Secret Wars*, intended as the epic finale to the Multiverse Saga, has seen its release date change several times. First set for November 7, 2025, it was pushed back to May 7, 2027. Then, following shifts with the film *Doomsday*, *Secret Wars* was moved again, this time to December 17, 2027, for the holiday season.
The two-year delay gives the production the time it needs to finish the movie to the high standards expected for a major Marvel finale. Releasing the film in December during the holiday season is a smart business decision, as similar Christmas releases like *Spider-Man: No Way Home* have proven to be very successful at the box office.
Why These Delays Are Ultimately the Best Choice for Marvel Studios
Although fans will be disappointed by the delay of these important Phase 6 movies, it’s likely the best decision Marvel Studios has made since *Avengers: Endgame*. The films following *Endgame* haven’t been consistently good, and audiences are starting to lose interest, so taking more time is a smart move to get the franchise back on track and known for quality again.
Recent Marvel movies suggest the need for a more careful approach. For example, *Captain America: Brave New World* received mostly negative reviews, with a 46% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating that the quality isn’t currently meeting audience expectations.
Despite positive reviews, *Thunderbolts* didn’t make much money at the box office, earning around $382 million worldwide with a production cost of $180 million. This, along with a recent overall drop in movie ticket sales for the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Multiverse Saga, shows that simply having the Marvel name isn’t enough to guarantee a hit anymore – the movies themselves need to be really good to attract audiences.
The biggest reason for the drop in quality was the overly ambitious plan for Phase 5. Trying to release many movies and Disney+ series at the same time created too much content for viewers to handle. Kevin Feige, president of Marvel Studios, admitted they were too eager to expand after the success of *Endgame* and released a huge amount of content. In fact, the studio produced twice as many hours of content in the last five years as it did in the previous twelve, and Feige acknowledges this was excessive.
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2025-10-16 18:07