Marvel won’t be at San Diego Comic Con this year, but there’s a good reason why
A not so Marvelous reveal
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MarvelStudios won’t hold its customary panel in Hall H at San Diego Comic Con 2023, according to a new report.
PerThe Wrap, the Disney subsidiary will largely skip this year’s event.Marvelwill still have a presence on the show floor, but fans shouldn’t expect studio head Kevin Feige to be on hand to reveal more details about its forthcoming movie andDisney Plusshow line-up.
Marvel hasn’t officially confirmed that its annual Hall H panel won’t go ahead. However, The Wrap claims the ongoing writers strike, which hasshut down numerous Hollywood-based movies and TV shows since May, has forced the studio to pause production on multiple projects.
That includesCaptain America 4,Daredevil: Born Again, andBlade, three of the most anticipatedMarvel Phase 5films, as well as the trio of projects it previously announced forMarvel Phase 6. As such, Marvel won’t be able to provide any major updates on how development is progressing on those formerly announced productions or make any new announcements, such as finally confirming who has been cast in its forthcomingFantastic Fourfilm.
Potential industrial action by members of SAG-AFTRA, a trade union that represents over 160,000 film and TV actors, is also believed to be a key reason behind Marvel’s possible no show. SAG-AFTRA representatives are in discussions with the AMPTP, the organization that negotiates new contracts for movie and TV industry employees on behalf of Hollywood’s biggest studios. If a new deal between SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP can’t be reached by June 30, members of the former will go on strike. That means Marvel’s biggest stars wouldn’t be able to promote their films and shows at press junkets or industry events, including Comic Con, which is due to take place between July 21 and 23.
Marvel’s apparent decision to pass on its usual Comic Con presentation is the latest in a long line of issues for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Last Wednesday (June 14), the studioconfirmed it was reshuffling its movie release line-up again, with all but one of its Phase 5 and 6 films – the one outlier isDeadpool 3– being delayed by many months.
Meanwhile, Marvel is having to contend with negative press surrounding two of its biggest stars. Jonathan Majors, who is still set to play the MCU’s next ‘big bad’ –Kang the Conqueror– in multiple projects, has been charged with numerous domestic violence allegations. Majors and his team have denied the accusations, but he’ll stand trial in August (perThe Hollywood Reporter), just two months before he appears inLokiseason 2, to contest the charges. Tenoch Huerta, who played Namor inBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever, has been accused of sexual assault, too – allegations he also denies.
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The MCU’s popularity has been called into question by fans and critics alike since the Multiverse Sage, which began withMarvel Phase 4, too. Many have commented on the inconsistent nature of Marvel movies and Disney Plus shows in the past two years, with the likes ofAnt-Man and the Wasp: QuantumaniaandThor: Love and Thundercriticized for falling below the standards of what viewers have come to expect from Marvel.
Of course, Marvel has enjoyed success with other films and TV series recently, includingGuardians of the Galaxy 3,Werewolf by NightandMoon Knight. Given that almost every MCU movie and TV show was met with critical acclaim up to and including 2019’sAvengers: Endgame, however, the inconsistent nature of recent MCU productions has been unavoidable. Marvel will be hoping, then, that the writers strike reaches a successful conclusion soon (and that a SAG-AFTRA strike is avoided) so it can get its expansive cinematic universe back on track.
In the meantime, there are some MCU projects to look forward before 2023 ends. First, read ourreview ofSecret Invasion, the latest Marvel show to land on Disney Plus. Then, read up on everything we know aboutThe Marvels, or find outhow to watch the Marvel movies in order.
As TechRadar’s senior entertainment reporter, Tom covers all of the latest movies, TV shows, and streaming service news that you need to know about. You’ll regularly find him writing about the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and many other topics of interest.
An NCTJ-accredited journalist, Tom also writes reviews, analytical articles, opinion pieces, and interview-led features on the biggest franchises, actors, directors and other industry leaders. You may see his quotes pop up in the odd official Marvel Studios video, too, such as thisMoon Knight TV spot.
Away from work, Tom can be found checking out the latest video games, immersing himself in his favorite sporting pastime of football, reading the many unread books on his shelf, staying fit at the gym, and petting every dog he comes across.
Got a scoop, interesting story, or an intriguing angle on the latest news in entertainment? Feel free to drop him a line.
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