Marvel Movie Sequels That Might Never Happen

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Curious about which Marvel Cinematic Universe films might not have a sequel anymore? It seems that several past movies, despite earlier hints of continuations and fan anticipation, may no longer be in development due to factors such as underperformance at the box office, changes in priorities, and Marvel’s focus on new cornerstone franchises like The Fantastic Four and X-Men, which are likely to redefine their release schedule.

Below, you’ll find a rundown on MCU films that appear less likely to have follow-ups, along with explanations for their halted progression.

Here, we’ve rephrased your original text in a more conversational and straightforward style: In this piece, let’s discuss some Marvel Cinematic Universe movies that seem unlikely to receive sequels and the reasons behind these projects getting stuck.

List of Marvel Cinematic Universe movies that aren’t likely to get a sequel

Eternals 2

According to sources like Daniel Richtman, it appears that a second Eternals movie may not be in production at the moment. The initial film, released in November 2021, earned $402 million globally and has a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 47%. Although there were hints about potential sequel storylines in the post-credits scenes, no recent updates suggest active development on a follow-up. Kevin Feige confirmed in 2024 that they currently have no plans for an Eternals 2. The decision might be due to concerns about the movie’s financial performance, as it didn’t become a box office sensation. Additionally, Marvel seems to be focusing its attention on other projects such as The Fantastic Four and X-Men instead.

Thunderbolts* / New Avengers 2

This year in May, Thunderbolts was launched, but so far there’s been no word about a sequel or continuation under the New Avengers banner. Instead, Marvel’s current plans for Phase Six include projects like Avengers: Secret Wars. As of now, there’s no information available about a second Thunderbolts movie in development. Sadly, Thunderbolts didn’t perform well at the box office, only earning $382 million, while it needed around $425 million to be considered successful.

*Note: In this context, ‘Thunderbolts’ is likely referring to a Marvel Cinematic Universe film or series rather than the original comic book team of the same name.

The Incredible Hulk 2

ever since The Incredible Hulk in 2008, Marvel Studios hasn’t produced a direct follow-up due to complications with Universal Pictures regarding the character’s rights. Instead, Hulk has appeared in ensemble films like the Avengers series and Thor: Ragnarok, but there are no current plans for a solo sequel because Marvel doesn’t yet possess the sole rights for another standalone Hulk film. They don’t have an agreement similar to the one Sony has with Spider-Man and Universal either.

Ant-Man and the Wasp 4

The movie Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania has earned approximately $476 million globally since its debut and has a 46% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. However, it didn’t perform as well at the box office as previous films, marking the start of a decline during Phase 5. According to insider Daniel Richtman, there are currently no plans for a fourth movie in the series. Additionally, Michael Douglas and Evangeline Lilly have chosen to step away from acting, making it improbable that another sequel will be made.

Captain Marvel 3

The film “The Marvels” earned $206 million globally, but received a 63% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, marking it as the largest box office failure in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Characters like Brie Larson’s Carol Danvers, Teyonah Paris’ Monica Rambeau, and Iman Vellani’s Kamala Khan are slated to reappear in other MCU ventures. However, it seems highly unlikely that a third Captain Marvel film will be produced following the disappointing performance of “The Marvels.

Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 4

According to director James Gunn, there are currently no arrangements set for Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 4. The trilogy wrapped up in 2023, but fans might still see some of these characters popping up independently in different projects, as Marvel Studios has not yet disclosed any plans for a fourth movie.

Honorable Mention – Black Widow 2

There are currently no plans for a follow-up to the Black Widow movie from 2021, which acted as a prequel and concluded Natasha Romanoff’s storyline. Instead, Marvel is focusing on Yelena Belova in future projects, such as her leading role in the new Avengers team. Given that she’s now at the helm of the Avengers, it seems unlikely that she will receive a standalone Black Widow sequel.

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2025-08-14 14:21