Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige appeared onstage at the huge Disney+ press conference to help discuss the offerings that will be available once that service launches later this year. In addition to theatrical films like ‘Captain Marvel’ and ‘Avengers: Endgame’ (can you believe we’re already talking about ‘Endgame’ and how it will be available after its theatrical run?), a series of original Marvel Studios TV series are on their way.
Feige made sure to stress that these projects originate with Marvel Studios and that they will be the FIRST television projects to do so, drawing a clear line between these and ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’, the Netflix shows, ‘Cloak & Dagger’, ‘Runaways’, and all other existing series, live-action and animated. (In other words, none of those matters, and won’t impact the movies or these new shows.)
The first new program that Feige discussed was ‘WandaVision’ to star Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany. This project has been in the works for a while now, but was previously referred to as ‘Vision & Scarlet Witch’. Some concept art was shown but was only visible to those present in person. Feige did seem to tease that the art gave away something about the direction of the new series.
As was previously written, ‘Falcon & Winter Soldier’ is also now confirmed for Disney+. Feige also discussed ‘Loki’, starring Tom Hiddleston. It’s unclear if this is the order in which these shows will be released.
Feige stated that, unlike other Marvel TV projects, that these would have an impact on the films, by evolving these characters and introducing new ones. He stated that events in the movies would impact these shows and vice versa.
Finally, Feige discussed ‘What If…?’, as he stressed “the first” animated series from Marvel Studios. This anthology cartoon, like the comics that inspired it, will pivot on specific occurrences in the movies and twist them. Feige specifically mentioned, “What if Peggy Carter had become a super soldier?” and “What if Steve Rogers had remained a scrawny kid but joined the fight wearing a suit built by Howard Stark?” He confirmed that in many cases the actors from the movies would provide the voices for their animated counterparts.
There was some misunderstanding when this show was first announced, but it will be based on the Marvel Cinematic Universe and will not adapt stories from any of the various ‘What If…?’ comic books nor present stories set within the comic book continuity.
In addition, Disney+ will offer two unscripted shows, ‘Marvel 616’ which will explore the history of the publisher in the context of real-world events, and a kid-targeted show ‘Marvel’s Hero Project’ about real heroes.
Disney+ will launch in the US on November 12, 2019, and will cost $6.99 a month. A once-a-year rate of $69.99 offers a slight discount and Disney is currently considering a bundle option that would allow users an even lower rate if they also subscribe to Hulu and/or ESPN+, but that does not appear to have been finalized.
