Marvel Studios‘ has reshuffled the release dates for seven of its upcoming Disney+ original series. This is according to a news article by The Hollywood Reporter (THR).
Per THR, the delay is due to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA and Writers Guild of America strikes. The MCU shows whose release dates have been pushed back include Echo, Agatha: Darkhold Diaries, previously titled Coven of Chaos, X-Men 97, and What If…? season 2.
What if…? Season 2 is now slated to release in winter 2023 and will reportedly debut close to Christmas Day. Marvel has also delayed the Hawkeye spinoff series, Echo, from its November 29 date to January 2024. While the WandaVision spinoff, Agatha: Darkhold Diaries, will debut in early fall 2024 rather than winter 2023.
Lastly, the animated X-Men revival titled X-Men ’97 will now debut in early 2024 rather than fall 2023. But Season 2 is still in production. In addition, Marvel has completely removed the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever spinoff, Ironheart, from its release schedule. While Wonder Man and Daredevil: Born, which have had their production halted due to the strikes, are indefinitely delayed. It is currently unclear when the three series will be readded to the studio’s release calendar.
The SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes have also affected Marvel’s feature films, with several having paused production. These include Deadpool 3, Blade, Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Secret Wars, and Thunderbolts. Marvel Studios executives Kevin Feige and Louis D’Esposito previously addressed the production delays in an internal email to staff.
They wrote: “We recognize how much you’ve all done on your specific projects, and it’s disappointing when carefully laid plans have to shift, but constant change is the nature of the production business, and our teams are no stranger to unexpected challenges and rising to meet them.” Adding that “We deeply appreciate all your efforts to make the best of the situation, and we can all hope that a new agreement will be finalized soon so we can resume the great work we have in process.”
However, Loki season 2 is still set to premiere on Disney+ on October 6.