Summary
Marvel Studiosquietly locked in a fourth film for 2028, igniting a frenzy of fan theories over which iconic hero or new team could take center stage in the mysterious addition to its cinematic universe.
Marvel Studios is ramping up its cinematic calendar with a surprise fourth film set for 2028, joining three other MCU entries in the same year. The announcement arrives on the heels of a packed schedule that includesSpider-Man: Brand New DayandAvengers: Doomsdayin 2026, followed by an untitled July film andAvengers: Secret Warsin 2027. With 2028 poised to mark a soft reboot afterSecret Wars, this new addition could introduce fresh Avengers and mutants, shaping the MCU’s bold new era.
Disney locked in the surprise Marvel Studios release for June 23, 2025, bringing theMCU’s 2028 movie countto four, alongside films already scheduled for February, May, and November that year. While the title and plot remain under wraps, this unexpected addition raises eyebrows. That’s because it flies in the face of earlier statements by Disney CEO Bob Iger and Marvel boss Kevin Feige, who both vowed to scale back the MCU’s release volume. The move comes just months after Marvel admitted it had ‘lost a little focus by making too much,’ prompting the studio’s new quality over quantity push.
Marvel is unlikely to roll out as many MCU projects in one year, with the studio now prioritizing quality over sheer output. While Disney often claims release slots years ahead, not every date translates into a guaranteed premiere. The studio regularly banks more dates than necessary, reshuffling them as needed. A prime example is whenMarvel’sBladevacated its November 2025 release window, 20th Century Studios quickly filled the gap withPredator: Badlands. Now, the newly staked December 2028 slot might be Disney’s way of saving prime calendar space for a major post-Secret Warstitle or a high-stakes franchise debut.
Marvel’s latest calendar shuffle has fans buzzing, with speculation mounting thatAvengers: Secret Warscould stretch into a two-part Multiverse Saga finale, possibly extending into 2028. Industry chatter also hints at several other major releases circling that same year. The long-delayedBladereboot starring Mahershala Ali, which has undergone several rewrites, could finally hit theaters.Black Panther 3is also on the radar, especially afterWakanda Forever’smassive success, with Ryan Coogler reportedly back at the helm. And then there’s talk of aFantastic Foursequel already in early planning, despite the first movie still on the horizon. Marvel clearly has high hopes for its First Family, especially with their central role inAvengers: Doomsday. A follow-up seems like a sure bet if the reboot performs well at the box office.
Perhaps Marvel’s surprise 2028 film slot may finally mark the long-teased arrival of the X-Men era in the MCU. Ever since Disney absorbed 20th Century Fox, fans have been counting the days until mutants step into the spotlight. Marvel chief Kevin Feige recently confirmed that the ‘Age of Mutants’ will begin after Avengers: Secret Wars, signaling a bold new chapter for the franchise. A full-fledgedX-Menreboot is already in motion, with Michael Lesslie penning the script and casting underway for a younger ensemble, likely in their 20s and 30s. With the December 2028 window open, Marvel could be gearing up to unleash its next major MCU saga, one built around the rise of mutantkind.
