Disney Delays Multiple Anticipated Streaming Projects

Committed Disney+ subscribers would do well to temper their content expectations for the foreseeable future. The Walt Disney Company seems to be making good on its promise to deliver less content to focus on quality, and the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike isn’t helping in the least. Multiple upcoming Marvel streaming releases have been entirely pushed into next year or beyond. Here’s when you can expect to see some of these delayed Marvel projects.

A Rough Reality for Disney

It is no secret that superhero fatigue has been a major issue for the Disney subsidiary in the past year or two. While Marvel coasted on some strong franchises up to Avengers: Endgame (2019), it has failed to hold on to its fanbase as it navigates the Multiverse and replaces many iconic heroes in favor of new ones.

In what was supposed to be a heavy year for Disney+ Marvel offerings, Disney is shuffling some of the anticipated series out of the lineup. Secret Wars (2023), the streaming platform’s star superhero offering this summer, received heated criticism and viewership numbers. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023) was considered a failure at the box office. Guardians of the Galaxy: Volume 3 (2023) and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023) faired much better, but neither cracked the $1 billion mark.

In response to declining box office and critical successes across many recent releases, Disney has initiated a plan of attack to get the masses back on its side. The company will put out less new content and put more effort into releasing quality series and movies. While this will definitely help with fatigue, it does nothing to keep subscribers interested in its streaming platforms.

Marvel Series in 2023

Only two Marvel series will make their 2023 release schedule. Loki Season Two will head to Disney+ on October 6. Starring Tom Hiddleston and Owen Wilson, this has been Disney’s Marvel ace for the year. Expectations are high after the strong showing of Loki Season One in 2021.

Furthermore, the second season of What If…? will also narrowly make its 2023 release date at the end of December. As another entry in a prominent series for Disney+, the streaming platform is definitely prioritizing proven successes for the rest of the year. It is important to note that What If…? Season Two was actually supposed to be released at the beginning of the year, meaning it has already been delayed.

Marvel Projects Delayed

However, not all is right with the rest of Marvel’s upcoming lineup. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Hawkeye spinoff Echo, retitled Agatha: Coven of Chaos, X-Men ’97, and Ironheart have all been pushed into 2024. Furthermore, Daredevil: Born Again and Wonder Man have been halted while still in production due to the ongoing actors’ strike.

Echo had a release date set for the end of November before being shifted into January of next year. The title features Alaqua Cox as Maya Lopez. The official description explains that her “ruthless behavior in New York City catches up with her in her hometown. She must face her past, reconnect with her Native American roots, and embrace the meaning of family and community if she ever hopes to move forward.”

X-Men ’97 is a callback to the classic animated television show from the 90s. While it had eyes on a fall 2023 release, Disney now labels it as an early 2024 premiere. Nostalgia has fueled hype for this show, and many will be frustrated to see it again pushed further out after being announced in 2021.

Agatha: Coven of Chaos got shuffled into 2024 and received a name change. The WandaVision spinoff, starring Kathryn Hahn, will now be called Agatha: Darkhold Diaries. It also received the biggest delay, moving from winter 2023 to fall 2024. While a launch near Halloween is definitely more festive, this is a gut punch for fans who have been waiting patiently for it.

The Dominque Thorne-led Ironheart series was supposed to launch this fall but has disappeared entirely from the schedule. The character debuted in last year’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, but her series is in post-production limbo due to the strikes. Daredevil: Born Again and Wonder Man are suffering a similar fate, though they haven’t even finished filming yet.

With many major competitors thirsty for subscribers, Disney is navigating the harsh reality of this new streaming ecosystem. It can no longer just rely on its reputation and franchise appeal alone to succeed, and it will be an interesting couple of years as we watch what unfolds.