Every Announced Marvel Studios Movie That Has Been Canceled

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As a long-time Marvel fan, I must say that the journey of these abandoned projects is as captivating as the stories they intended to tell. The Runaways and Inhumans, while never making it to the big screen, found new life in the small one, each with their unique charm and fanbase.

Marvel Studios, a powerhouse in the movie business, has had to shelve some projects despite its remarkable success. A key characteristic of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is meticulous planning. With Kevin Feige at the helm as president, the studio unveils multi-year film schedules ahead of time, offering fans a glimpse into how the larger narrative of the franchise will unfold. As the MCU is an interconnected universe featuring numerous characters, having a roadmap for the future helps ensure a cohesive storyline. This also allows different filmmakers to work together, brainstorming ways to make the interwoven plotlines seamless.

Despite having well-prepared plans, there can always be unexpected obstacles. Marvel has been generally successful in seeing most of their planned films through to the cinema, but not all projects have had the same luck. Given the fluctuation of priorities and other variables, the Marvel schedule needs to remain adaptable to accommodate any potential changes. Here are some MCU movies that didn’t progress beyond the announcement phase.

Runaways

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Initially, plans for a movie based on the comic “Runaways” were underway at Marvel Studios as early as May 2008, coinciding with the release of the first Iron Man film that kickstarted the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Writer Brian K. Vaughan, who co-created the comic, was tasked with scriptwriting. However, the project appeared to pick up momentum around two years later when director Peter Sollett and screenwriter Drew Pearce joined the team. Unfortunately, development slowed down, and despite some initial progress, the film never materialized. As Marvel Studios moved forward with their Infinity Saga, “Runaways” was consistently delayed in favor of other projects. The creative team behind it could not find a suitable place within the MCU timeline, resulting in the film’s cancellation.

[Related: Is Marvel Already Reversing One of the Biggest Changes to the MCU?]

Ultimately, the characters from the comic book series “Runaways” transitioned into a television show that aired on Hulu between 2017 and 2019, spanning three seasons. This show garnered praise during its run, with critics appreciating it as an engaging adaptation, enhanced by impressive performances from the cast. Similar to other Marvel TV shows of that time (pre-Disney+), its links to the wider MCU were primarily through subtle references, although it does incorporate elements like the Dark Dimension and the Darkhold, which are significant in major MCU productions. Unfortunately, “Runaways” was taken off Hulu and Disney+ in 2023, but you can buy the complete series on Apple and Amazon instead.

Inhumans

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Back when things were shifting, I was thrilled to see “Inhumans” take a new direction as a TV series instead, debuting in 2017. Unfortunately, it turned out to be one of Marvel Studios’ most infamous flops. Critics panned the show (with a mere 11% rating on Rotten Tomatoes), and it only managed to survive for a single season. However, Anson Mount brilliantly reprised his role as Black Bolt in “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.” For those with a morbid curiosity, you can catch “Inhumans” streaming on Disney+.

Avengers: The Kang Dynasty

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Following the spectacular finale of the Infinity Saga with Avengers: Endgame, Marvel faced a significant gap as they sought a formidable villain for the Multiverse Saga. They ultimately decided to have Kang the Conqueror take over where Thanos left off, and up-and-coming actor Jonathan Majors was chosen to portray him. Making his Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) debut in 2021 during Loki Season 1, Majors first appeared as Kang variant He Who Remains. From there, Marvel began setting the stage for this character to become the main antagonist. At San Diego Comic-Con 2022, it was officially announced that the fifth Avengers film would be titled Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, and Majors is set to appear in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and Loki Season 2 in 2023.

Following Majors’ conviction for assault and harassment at the end of 2023, Marvel decided to cut ties with the actor and reworked “Avengers 5”. Instead of recasting the Kang character, who had not resonated well with audiences like Thanos did before Majors’ conviction, the studio opted for a fresh approach. At San Diego Comic-Con in 2024, it was announced that Robert Downey Jr. would be reprising his role in the MCU as Victor von Doom, serving as the primary antagonist for “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars”.

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2024-11-13 01:40