Walt Disney Co's Marvel Studios on Saturday unveiled a slate of upcoming superhero films
Walt Disney Co's Marvel Studios on Saturday unveiled a star-packed slate of superhero films for the next two years that includes Angelina Jolie in "The Eternals," Mahershala Ali in a remake of "Blade" and Natalie Portman as a female "Thor."
The announcements at San Diego Comic-Con charts Marvel's course following mega-blockbuster "Avengers: Endgame," which Disney said was set to top 2009 film "Avatar" by Sunday as the highest-grossing movie of all time.
Jolie appeared on stage in front of 6,500 cheering fans, along with other "Eternals" cast members including Richard Madden, Kumail Nanjiani and Salma Hayek. The story about a group of immortal aliens will debut in November 2020.
"I’m going to work 10 times harder," Jolie said when asked how she would approach her role of Thena. "We all know what the task is ahead, and we know what you deserve, and so we are all going to be working very hard."
"So I am in training and thrilled," she added.
Disney also revealed it will release "Thor: Love and Thunder," the fourth "Thor" movie, in November 2021. Portman, who starred in earlier films as the girlfriend to Chris Hemsworth's Thor, will take up the superhero's hammer as a female goddess of thunder.
"It feels pretty good," Portman said on stage. "I’ve always had a little hammer envy."
Ali, who recently won Oscars for "Moonlight" and "Green Book," surprised the audience by walking on stage and putting on a baseball hat with the logo for "Blade," a character played on film in 1998 by Wesley Snipes. No details were given but the crowd erupted in applause.
The films will be part of Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) that started with 2008's "Iron Man" and has generated more than $22 billion at box offices worldwide.
Other coming movies include "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness," which director Scott Derrickson described as "the first scary MCU movie," and "Shang-Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings" starring Chinese actor Tony Leung, Awkwafina and newcomer Simu Liu, who said he was just cast in the lead role on Tuesday.
Scarlett Johansson introduced an action-heavy trailer for "Black Widow." In an interview, the actress said having a stand-alone film for the "Avengers" character was "mind-blowing."
"I hope it adds a gritty kind of groundedness, that's like a good punch in the gut, and a literal punch in the gut too," she said. "We all get the crap beaten out of us!"
Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige confirmed a forthcoming "Fantastic Four" film and sequels to "Black Panther" and "Captain America."
Feige also previewed Marvel series being made for the Disney+ streaming TV service that will debut in November. They include "Loki," "Hawkeye" and animated "What If."
The stories told on Disney+ will weave into Marvel's movie, Feige said. For example, Elizabeth Olsen's Wanda will star in the "WandaVision" series and in the new "Doctor Strange" film.
"The same teams that work on the movies are going to be working on these mega-event limited series," Feige said in an interview. "They are completely intertwined."
1. Black Widow
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Scarlett Johansson made us cry like a baby in Avengers: Endgame but now she is all set to back as Natasha Romanoff telling her real story.
Marvel Studios' Black Widow with Scarlett Johansson, David Harbour, Florence Pugh, O-T Fagbenle, and Rachel Weisz. Directed by Cate Shortland. In theatres May 1, 2020.
2. Blade
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Mahershala Ali to be seen as Blade in its reboot film.
3. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
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Doctor Strange returned to the Earth after getting disintegrated all thanks to his four million possibilities. And now, he is ready for his second standalone film.
Marvel Studios' Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness with Benedict Cumberbatch and Elizabeth Olsen. Scott Derrickson returns as director. In theatres May 7, 2021.
4. Eternals
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Marvel Studios' The Eternals starring Angelina Jolie, Richard Madden, Kumail Nanjiani, Lauren Ridloff, Brian Tyree Henry, Salma Hayek, Lia McHugh and Don Lee. Directed by Chloé Zhao. In theatres November 6, 2020.
5. Hawkeye
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MCU characters head to the small screen!
Marvel Studios' Hawkeye starring Jeremy Renner, an original series that will also introduce Kate Bishop. Streaming exclusively on Disney+, Fall 2021.
6. Loki
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The MCU's favourite trickster Loki will also make his way to Disney+! Marvel Studios’ Loki, an original series starring Tom Hiddleston. Streaming exclusively on Disney+ in Spring 2021.
7. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
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A classic Marvel Comics character is all set to make his movie debut.
Marvel Studios' Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings starring Simu Liu, Awkwafina, and Tony Leung. Marvel Studios' Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings will be directed by Destin Daniel Cretton. In theatres February 12, 2021.
8. The Falcon and The Winter Soldier
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The first show coming exclusively to Disney+, Marvel Studios' The Falcon and The Winter Soldier starring Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, and Daniel Brühl. Streaming exclusively on Disney+, Fall 2020.
9. Thor: Love and Thunder
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Natalie Portman is likely to be seen as female Thor as she returns in Marvel Studios' Thor: Love and Thunder, joining stars Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson. Taika Waititi returns as director. In theatres November 5, 2021.
10. WandaVision
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Marvel Studios' WandaVision, an original series starring Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany, and Teyonah Parris. Marvel Studios' WandaVision will start streaming exclusively on Disney+ in Spring 2021.
11. What If…?
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What If...? comics is getting adapted on the small screen!
Marvel Studios' What If…?, the first animated series in the MCU, starring Jeffrey Wright as the voice of The Watcher and many actors from across the MCU reprising their roles as a voice talent. Streaming exclusively on Disney+ in Summer 2021.
(Images via Marvel)
(Inputs from Reuters and Marvel.com)
