Disney Announces the MCU’s 14th New Movie Franchise

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Each year, the Marvel Cinematic Universe broadens its horizons, unveiling fresh hero characters in some projects while furthering established series within the Marvel Studios universe. Notably, the Multiverse Saga serves as a thriving ground for introducing brand-new franchises within the larger MCU landscape.

Disney CEO Bob Iger announced during a recent earnings call that “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” has successfully initiated this significant franchise within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, implying that The Fantastic Four is now part of Marvel Studios’ extensive lineup of ongoing franchises.

Fantastic Four Becomes Marvel’s Newest Movie Franchise

X-Men

For quite some time now, the X-Men have been a familiar and beloved group of superheroes among audiences, thanks to their early films produced by Fox in the 2000s. Now, it appears that these mutant heroes are set to join forces with the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), as several original cast members from the X-Men movies have been confirmed for roles in the upcoming film, Avengers: Doomsday.

Marvel Studios is simultaneously developing a revamp of the X-Men, paving the way for a new phase in the franchise’s history. Furthermore, Marvel has made X-Men ’97 available on Disney+, underscoring the importance of the mutant team within the studio’s broader strategy.

The Fantastic Four

Excitingly enough, Iger has verified that The Fantastic Four will be playing a significant role in the MCU from now on. Being a die-hard fan myself, I can hardly contain my excitement as we’re about to see Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch, and The Thing grace our screens in upcoming blockbusters like Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. Although a sequel film hasn’t been officially announced yet, the grapevine is buzzing with whispers of another Fantastic Four movie being in development.

Deadpool

Following the release of both Deadpool and Deadpool 2, the Disney-Fox merger transferred the character Deadpool back to Marvel Studios from Fox. The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) subsequently took ownership of Deadpool, introducing a new movie in the series called Deadpool & Wolverine. This film established Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool as a consistent figure within the cinematic universe.

Shang-Chi

One of the latest additions to the Multiverse Saga is Shang-Chi, portrayed by Simu Liu, who starred in a standalone movie in 2021. Although Marvel Studios hasn’t started production on a second Shang-Chi film just yet, discussions about a sequel have been ongoing, and the character will reappear in the 2026 film Avengers: Doomsday, which might provide the necessary momentum to greenlight Shang-Chi 2.

Captain Marvel

Following the success of Captain Marvel, earning over a billion dollars at the cinema, there was considerable anticipation for Brie Larson’s follow-up movie. However, sadly, the box office results diverged for the Captain Marvel sequel during The Multiverse Saga, which introduced the story to viewers in The Marvels, a collaborative film with Ms Marvel and Monica Rambeau. Despite this, it is expected that the character will continue to be a significant presence within the Avengers team, with potential future appearances on the horizon.

Black Panther

In the premiere of “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” the Black Panther franchise was solidified within the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s grand saga, the Multiverse Saga. Despite the heartbreaking demise of Chadwick Boseman, who portrayed T’Challa, the Black Panther persevered with Shuri (played by Letitia Wright) stepping up as the lead character.

It looks like Black Panther’s role within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is solidified, as numerous characters from his realm are scheduled to appear in “Avengers: Doomsday”, and the nation of Wakanda remains significant in the broader MCU through upcoming projects such as “Eyes of Wakanda”.

Spider-Man

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Spider-Man, portrayed by Tom Holland, has played a significant role in the Infinity and Multiverse Stories. So far, he’s headlined three films, making him the only Spider-Man franchise to be granted a fourth installment, titled “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” slated for release in 2026. Additionally, Spider-Man can be seen in the animated series “Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man,” which has been renewed for a second and third season within the Marvel universe.

Doctor Strange

Benedict Cumberbatch’s character as Doctor Strange has starred in two major movies (2016’s “Doctor Strange” and 2022’s “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness”), and he’s also appeared in various Marvel Cinematic Universe films, including “Thor,” “Avengers,” and “Spider-Man.

It seems like talks about a third movie featuring Doctor Strange are going on, hinting that this character with magical powers will remain a significant cornerstone in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Ant-Man

Quantumania,” has cast some doubt on the future of his standalone series. Regardless, Ant-Man will be featured in the upcoming “Avengers” movie, which further develops his narrative within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

Guardians of the Galaxy

Previously, James Gunn directed a successful three-film series of Guardians of the Galaxy within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, turning the team into popular figures who have since featured in more recent Avengers movies. The actors from the Guardians haven’t been confirmed for Avengers: Doomsday or Secret Wars as of now, but it’s been established that Star-Lord (Chris Pratt) will reappear within the MCU after Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.

The Avengers

The Avengers are undoubtedly the flagship series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), as they offer a platform for the universe’s most prominent characters to collaborate. Together, the four films of the Avengers saga have amassed an unprecedented record at the box office, making them the highest-grossing franchise ever. With two more parts, namely Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, in production, this financial success is likely to continue growing.

Captain America

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Captain America, originally introduced as one of the founding series, starred in three movies centered around Steve Rogers. Characters like The Falcon and Winter Soldier have since been featured prominently in shows such as “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” while “Captain America: Brave New World” also involves Sam Wilson. With the departure of Steve Rogers, Sam Wilson is continuing Captain America’s legacy within the MCU.

Thor

Among all Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) characters, Thor is unique in that he headlines four standalone movies (_Thor, Thor: The Dark World, Thor: Ragnarok,_ and _Thor: Love and Thunder_). Known for his role as the Asgardian deity of thunder, Chris Hemsworth’s portrayal has solidified him as a mainstay in the MCU. If he continues to lead films, he could break new ground by becoming the first Avenger to star in five MCU productions.

Iron Man

In 2008, Iron Man marked the beginning of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with Robert Downey Jr. spearheading three standalone movies, four Avengers films, and making appearances in various other parts of the universe. Iron Man was Marvel Studio’s initial franchise, and though the iconic character’s tenure has ended, his influence lives on through ventures such as Ironheart. Interestingly, Downey Jr. will reappear (in a new role) in Avengers: Doomsday.

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2025-08-31 05:36