Entertainment
27 Comic Book Movies Planned For The Next 5 Years
Warner Bros. Pictures
I don't know what I'm going to eat for dinner tonight, but thanks to the incredible box office business regularly done by comic book movies, I do know what movies I'll be seeing in 2020. Since Iron Man and the Avengers woke the industry up to the money-making power of modern superhero action flicks, movies like these have become tentpole releases, planned years in advance. The intertwining stories and characters support a never-ending sequel and spin-off cycle. Audiences want to see their favorite characters carry their own movies, but they also want to see them interact with other crusaders and villains. This slate of 27 upcoming live action comic book movies has a little bit of both, plus a little mystery.
Marvel and DC both have release dates plotted for the next several years, if not info on what those movies they're releasing are actually about. Some comic book features have been confirmed to be in some stage of production but have yet to be slotted into the schedule. Anything can happen of course; projects fall apart all the time. But if studio activity goes as planned, all 27 of these movies should make it to theaters within the next five years.
1. 'Doctor Strange'
Next up, Benedict Cumberbatch plays Marvel's surgeon-turned-sorcerer in Doctor Strange, set for a Nov. 4 release this year. The movie has drawn controversy for white-washing Asian roles and appropriating Asian culture. Will the backlash affect its box office?
2. Untitled Wolverine Movie
After one bloody cameo in X-Men: Apocalypse, Wolverine will get his next and supposedly last standalone film. Hugh Jackman will be sharpening his adamantium claws for a Mar. 3, 2017 release date.
3. 'Guardians Of The Galaxy 2'
Everyone's favorite space misfits return in the sequel to Marvel's goofiest surprise hit. May 5, 2017 brings Peter Quill and his unlikely compatriots back to the screen, most likely with another killer, retro soundtrack.
4. 'Wonder Woman'
This one is a long time coming. While Superman and Batman have been recycled and rebooted as often as Alfred dusts the sitting room, this June 2, 2017 release marks the first standalone big screen outing for Amazonian warrior Diana Prince.
5. 'Spider-Man: Homecoming'
Tom Holland charmed all the naysayers as an eager, dorky Peter Parker in his Captain America: Civil War cameo. Robert Downey Jr. will keep on mentoring "Underoos" as Tony Stark in Spider-Man: Homecoming. It comes out on July 7, 2017.
6. 'Thor: Ragnarok'
Bruce Banner is along for the ride when Thor returns to Asgard on Nov. 3, 2017. First time Marvel director Taika Waititi promised on Twitter that this Thor movie will rate a "600" on a 1-10 scale of comedy, so count on lots of Loki-related slapstick.
7. 'Justice League'
The Justice League are to DC what the Avengers are to DC. Or they're DC's Suicide Squad, but with less convictions and tattoos. Bruce Wayne will seek out a team of metahumans including Ezra Miller as The Flash and Jason Momoa as Aquaman for a very specialized kind of security team. It's out Nov. 17, 2017.
8. 'Black Panther'
Prince T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman) spent most of Captain America: Civil War in pursuit of the Winter Soldier. In his solo adventure out Feb. 16, 2018, he's back in his fictional country of Wakanda and surrounded by a who's who of acclaimed actors, including Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o, and Danai Gurira.
9. 'The Flash'
There's not much to know yet about DC's Flash standalone, except that Justice League's Ezra Miller will reprise his role, Dope's Rick Famuyiwa is directing, and it's set for a Mar. 16, 2018 release.
10. 'Avengers: Infinity War'
Originally planned as the first half of a two-part series, Avengers: Infinity War is now its own thing. Rumor has it that this is the Marvel movie that will fold in characters for its current TV properties (Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D., etc), which will make for a deliciously crowded red carpet. The Infinity War will begin May 4, 2018.
11. 'Ant-Man And The Wasp'
Lovable ex-con, dad, and tiny superhero Scott Lang is ray of superhero sunshine, but as far as I'm concerned, this movie is about Evangeline Lilly's Hope van Dyne fulfilling her own epic destiny. The Ant-Man sequel is scheduled for July 6, 2018.
12. 'Aquaman'
Amber Heard, Michael Kenneth Williams, and Willem Dafoe are all committed to join Jason Momoa under the sea. And with horror master James Wan directing, this July 27, 2018 release could get dark.
13. 'Captain Marvel'
The rumors were true — Oscar winner Brie Larson was announced as Captain Marvel at San Diego Comic Con this July. Carol Danvers can basically do it all and so can Larson, so it's a fit. An eternity until its Mar. 8, 2019 release date.
14. 'Shazam'
DC digs into the archives a bit to build a Apr. 5, 2019 feature around an obscure hero named Shazam. Of course, with The Rock playing him, Shazam will be a household name in no time.
15. Untitled Avengers Movie
Until recently, this movie was on the slate as Avengers: Infinity War II. So though it's unclear what or who the Avengers will be fighting off in this Apr. 26, 2019 release, they will certainly be getting their hands dirty.
16. 'Justice League 2'
Bruce Wayne's posse will be back in action together June 14, 2019, probably with some new Inhuman characters added to the mix.
17. 'Cyborg'
Justice League member Cyborg (Ray Fisher) will get the screen to himself. No director is attached yet, but the box office debut has been set for April 2020.
18. Untitled Marvel Movie
Marvel has a big question mark as a placeholder for a May 2020 release. I'm pulling for the Black Widow standalone, because Natasha has played sidekick too many times.
19. 'Green Lantern Corps'
Sarcasm king Ryan Reynolds turned out to be better suited to the cheeky Deadpool than Hal Jordan. DC is trying again with the character in a June 2020 Green Lantern reboot. No casting news as of yet.
20. Untitled Marvel Movie 2
Marvel has also reserved a July 2020 slot for a summer blockbuster. How about a Bucky Barnes opus where the former super soldier finds a little peace and quiet?
21. Untitled Marvel Movie 3
November 2020 marks the third unknown Marvel quantity on the studio's release schedule. Another Cap movie? Iron Man? Spider-Man? Black Panther? Could be any of the above, or the start of an entirely new series.
22. 'Gambit'
Channing Tatum will star in the X-Men spin-off and The Bourne Identity boss Doug Liman is on board to direct. The only thing missing from this superhero cocktail is a release date.
23. X-Men Sequel
Another X-Men movie is happening, eventually. Whether it'll involve the trio of Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy, and Jennifer Lawrence remains to be seen. Fortunately, Apocalypse ushered in a new class of mutants (or new versions of an old class of mutants, if you prefer).
24. 'Deadpool 2'
The uproarious and irreverent R-rated original set records and proved that superhero movies don't have to be PG-13 to make money. The "Merc With A Mouth" is getting a sequel. Maybe the budget will include more X-Men this time.
25. 'Inhumans'
Another TBD release date here. Marvel is planning an Inhumans feature for sometime in the near future. Agents Of SHIELD has been dealing with that subject for several seasons, so it's possible that some of the show's characters may be involved.
26. 'The Batman'
Batffleck lives to scowl another day. (P.S. The Batman is only a rumored title.)
27. 'Man Of Steel 2'
Warner Bros. Pictures is also putting another Superman solo film into development. Henry Cavill will reprise his role. And not a hair will be out of place.
