Widespread changes in the Marvel section on Disney Plus' official site could point to several delays across the MCU and beyond, as previous release date windows have been removed from each upcoming show’s description.
Since the turn of the year, Marvel fans have been met with news and statements from Disney's CEO Bob Iger and Marvel Studios' Kevin Feige regarding a shift in how the company handles its superhero business, with a renewed emphasis on quality over quantity. While that approach initially looked like it could only apply to a few new series announced more recently, the extent to which it will affect the MCU remains unclear.
Nevertheless, leave it to Disney itself to spark fan speculation. Over the last few days, some Reddit users noted that previous premiere windows for content like Marvel Studios' What If…? or X-Men '97 are absent. The same applies to Echo, Ironheart, and Agatha: Coven of Chaos, whose release windows have been replaced with a “Coming Soon” placeholder. The animated What If…? was initially planned for “Early 2023,” similar to the three live-action series whose release dates ranged from late 2023 to early 2024.
Despite no official confirmation of any delays, previous reports had ruled out that Echo and Ironheart would make it into the MCU's 2023 slate, which still has three more confirmed movies and two Disney Plus shows. To be clear, both Secret Invasion and Loki season 2, the two Marvel Studios series the studio had committed to releasing this year, now bear the “Coming Soon” label. However, it’s still widely believed they will come out around the beginning and end of summer, respectively.
For viewers interested in Echo, Ironheart, and Agatha: Coven of Chaos, any delays won’t be much of a surprise by now. However, a potential pushback to next year was not on the cards for the two animated series. Specifically, X-Men '97 showrunner and former The Witcher writer Beau DeMayo had said on Twitter that the X-Men would return in 2023, telling fans he’d be the first to know if any delays were to take place.
Overall, these relatively minor changes should be taken with a grain of salt. However, considering Disney executives have acknowledged the need to course-correct Marvel Studios' direction after Phase Four, no one should be surprised by any significant announcements on the horizon.
What If...? season 1 is available on Disney Plus.
Source: disneyplusoriginals.disney.com; marvelstudios/Reddit