Marvel has revealed the official release dates for some upcoming projects within the newest phases of the Marvel Cinematic Universe at San Diego Comic-Con. Blade and Thunderbolts will arrive during Phase 5 within the string of new releases from the studio. On the other hand, Fantastic Four will come later as the first film of Phase 6 within the cinematic universe.
Marvel Studios announced Blade at Comic-Con 2019, where Mahershala Ali surfaced as the figure to play the half-vampire. The iconic character embodies the strengths of a vampire but none of the weaknesses that plague the horrific creatures. Ali is no stranger to the MCU, having appeared in the Netflix original series Luke Cage as the emblematic villain Cottonmouth. The Marvel film will officially arrive on November 3, 2023, and will introduce the character officially into the MCU.
Bassam Tariq will direct Blade, notably known for his 2020 film Mogul Mowgli. Veteran actor Delroy Lindo will be a part of the cast for the upcoming Marvel film, but his role is currently unknown. The brand-new narrative will also star Aaron Pierre to star opposite Ali, but his role in the film lives in secrecy. Nothing about the film or Ali's character has yet to surface from the studio, but audiences can hear Ali's voice within a post-credits scene from Marvel's Eternals.
Marvel Studios also announced the release date for Thunderbolts, which will arrive on July 26, 2024, and will serve as the final film for Phase 5 within the MCU. Jake Schreier will direct the upcoming film, but very little about the narrative is known. The Thunderbolts are known to be a team of villains masquerading as heroes, but it's unclear which version of the team will enter the MCU. Several MCU characters have the potential to be in the film, but nothing official has surfaced. Many believe Baron Zemo, played by Daniel Brühl, will appear, but only time will tell what the brand-new team will look like in the MCU.
The highly-anticipated film Fantastic Four also received a release date from Marvel Studio. The film will arrive on November 8, 2024, and will be the first film to usher in Phase 6. The big secret that continues to surround the film is the cast, which still appears to be in the works. Rumors have surfaced that Jason Segel has been cast as The Thing and will appear in the new Disney Plus original series She-Hulk, but the speculation is not confirmed. Marvel treated fans to a surprise appearance of Mr. Fantastic in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness with John Krasinski playing the character, but it's unclear if he will be returning to the iconic suit.
While announced, a great deal of context is still unknown about the upcoming projects, but at least audiences have an idea about when they'll be able to dive into these new Marvel narratives. More information about each project should surface as their release dates creep closer into view, but the conclusion of Phase 5 and the beginning of Phase 6 appears set in stone. It'll be interesting to see what these films add to the MCU and if Marvel will lay breadcrumbs about them in earlier works.
Blade will arrive on November 3, 2023.
Thunderbolts will arrive on July 26, 2024.
Fantastic Four will arrive on November 8, 2024.