Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Black Widow and Doctor Strange: In the Multiverse of Madness were supposed to be released in the theaters on May 7th. Marvel Studios originally slated the release of Doctor Strange 2 to kick off its summer 2021 season, as Marvel’s Doctor Strange originally debuted in the fall of 2016. Unfortunately, after the breakout of the COVID-19 pandemic in the world, it isn’t a secret that the pandemic has hit the MCU, pushing the release of Phase 4 of Marvel Cinematic Universe as the year 2020 was doomed for the movies.
The initial release date for Black Widow was May 7, 2021, but Marvel decided to push back the release to July 9, 2021 – the reason being a lack of confidence in the theatrical returns. Doctor Strange: In the Multiverse of Madness will now be arriving in the theatres on March 25, 2022.
It is comforting to think of a few alternate universes where Black Widow or Doctor Strange 2 would have been releasing on May 7, 2021. However, the darker times that we are currently living in resulted in two years without a Marvel Studio movie in the theatres.
In the Marvel Studio’s MCU Phase 4 trailer, both Black Widow and Doctor Strange: In the Multiverse of Madness were featured along with the upcoming releases of Marvel Studios. However, while footage of Black Widow was shown in the trailer, the only thing that has been shared about Doctor Strange: In the Multiverse of Madness is its release date. We are aware that Scarlet Witch/ Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) will have a major arc in the Doctor Strange sequel – and that Doctor Strange/Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) was supposed to be a part of WandaVision. As the title suggests, the reality will somewhat be broken in the film. Although, we are not sure about what the storyline will be, or who shall be the antagonist/villain in the Doctor Strange sequel.
Two new character additions will likely take place in the sequel: The sorceress Clea and Young Avenger America Chavez. We should know more as the set photos from Doctor Strange 2 have now starting to leak as the film just finished filming recently.
Talking about Black Widow, Natasha Romanoff’s (Scarlet Johansson) story will bring a new Black Widow to the MCU (Florence Pugh) from the time she was on the run after Captain America: Civil War. There are shreds of evidence stating that Black Widow’s story could threaten the MCU – with an organization that is already at work during the Falcon and the Winter Soldier, by setting up a new surreptitious organization.
Marvel Studio’s Black Widow is releasing in theaters (and Disney+ Premium Access) on July 9, 2021. The sequel to Doctor Strange, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, shall release on March 25, 2022.
