Summary
- Marvel Studios plans to start shooting Doctor Strange 3 and Shang-Chi 2 in 2026 for potential 2027 releases.
- The success of Shang-Chi and the pivotal role of Doctor Strange demonstrate the demand for fresh characters in the MCU.
- Marvel looks to continue developing Doctor Strange and Shang-Chi to cater to fans and move away from original Avengers storylines.
Marvel Studios rarely slows down with its schedule for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with a lengthy run of films and television shows slated for fans to expect. After a couple of quieter and less successful years for Marvel Studios, there are big things to come in the future, with two Avengers movies and the introduction of the Fantastic Four right around the corner for MCU fans to get excited about.
With the multiverse saga raging and many new characters being introduced, some audiences actively seek familiarity with the MCU content. Marvel Studios is set to provide that in the coming years, and two long-awaited projects are expected to get underway soon to add to that.
Related
Marvel Is Rushing X-Men Into The MCU
The latest Captain America: Brave New World trailer shows Marvel is rushing X-Men into the MCU.
According to industry insider Daniel Richtman, Marvel plans to kickstart shooting for Doctor Strange 3 and Shang-Chi 2 in 2026. There are currently no release dates announced for when audiences can expect them on the big screen, but given the latest update, it will be 2027 at the earliest when these stories are brought to life.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings director Destin Daniel Cretton’s next project within the MCU will be Spider-Man 4, and it’s unclear if he will immediately move on to Shang-Chi’s sequel after that. Meanwhile, audiences are expected to see Benedict Cumberbatch in the MCU again before his third movie, as the popular actor confirmed that he will be in Avengers: Doomsday, released in 2026. Even though there’s still a while for fans to wait for Doctor Strange 3 and Shang-Chi 2, the fact that both projects appear to be still happening is positive. Audiences want to see these stories continue because of how impressive the previous movies have been, and it’s important that Marvel Studios continues to develop them as it services what the fans want.
Doctor Strange as a character has become pivotal to everything that has happened in the MCU since his arrival, and as one of the most powerful characters in the franchise, it makes sense for him to continue to be a featured part of it. Meanwhile, Shang-Chi’s Marvel debut proved a big success as the film brought something completely different in tone and fight scenes, which were completely gripping. He might not be the most well-known character in the MCU right now, but there’s no doubt that he can still continue to be developed into something special, and that’s exactly what Marvel Studios shoul be looking to achieve with the character to give audiences completely fresh plots and characters that aren’t just the typical big comic book names.
Doctor Strange and Shang-Chi have proven to be popular characters in the eyes of the fans, even though their individual franchises are in different places. Doctor Strange already has two movies, both of which helped shape the MCU’s overall story, while Shang-Chi was a risk that proved worthwhile. Marvel Studios must continue focusing on movies that don’t involve the original Avengers lineup as the MCU moves forward and looks forward to the future with a fresh approach.
MCU
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is a sprawling movie and television franchise that weaves together individual stories of superheroes including Captain America, Thor, Spider-Man, Hulk, Black Widow, and many more. The first film in the franchise, Iron Man, was released in 2008. The MCU has garnered critical praise and financial success, earning billions at the box office and becoming a cultural phenomenon.