The annual Comic-Con in San Diego is not only a paradise for fans of comics, cosplay and the like, but also for fans of movies and series. In the so-called Hall H, the major Hollywood studios usually present their upcoming films and series, show trailers and exclusive clips or introduce the cast and crew. It wasn’t until 2022 that Marvel architect Kevin Feige revealed the plan for the next phases of the MCU, including “Avengers 5” and “Avengers 6”. But there will be no such thing at San Diego Comic-Con 2023.
No MCU at San Diego Comic-Con
Because Feige and Marvel Studios will not be presenting at Comic-Con this year. And that’s despite the fact that there are plenty of MCU movies and series in the works right now. This was revealed by the well-connected insider Umberto Gonzalez of the American industry magazine now exclusive.
Responsible for this is the current Writers Guild Of America (WGA) strike, which most film and series fans have probably heard of. The industrial action of the screenwriters not only ensures that not a word can be written for any Marvel project, it also paralyzes filming on numerous projects. This affects the films “Blade” and “Thunderbolts”, as well as the series “Daredevil: Born Again” and “Wonder Man”.
This makes it nearly impossible for Marvel to present anything exciting about any of its current or upcoming projects at Comic-Con. But another problem weighs even more heavily:
Are the actors going on strike now?
Because while the WGA strike is currently still in full swing and a settlement does not seem to be in sight for the time being, the next strike is already looming on the horizon: Should the SAG-AFTRA, the Hollywood actors’ union, and the AMPTP, which is the major represents studios, broadcasters and streaming services cannot find an agreement the actors could also go on strike in early July. This year’s Comic-Con will take place on July 22, 2023.
A strike would then ban Marvel stars from promoting, say, an upcoming MCU movie (or series) on a Hall-H stage. And of course, you couldn’t make a highly anticipated cast announcement with much fanfare, like the cast reveal of the new Fantastic Four movie that has been rumored for weeks.
Marvel fans will probably have to wait a little longer, at least until it is clear whether there will be another strike, but possibly much longer. In principle, there is also the possibility that Marvel will announce the cast in the usual way through the major trade magazines. But two strikes would probably complicate or delay that.
No announcements for “Super Mario”, “House Of The Dragon” & “Superman”?
Like it at continues to mean Studio Universal and American broadcaster HBO can also sit out Comic-Con 2023. That would take a possible announcement of a Nintendo Cinematic Universe (after the smash hit The Super Mario Bros. Movie) off the table. However, it is unclear whether there is anything to announce despite numerous rumors – keyword: WGA strike.
And also news about the second seasons of “House of the Dragon” or “The last of usApparently there will be none at Comic-Con 2023n. Since “House Of The Dragon” season 2 has been filming since April, it might even have been possible to present the first footage here.
On top of that There are already rumors that Warner and DC will not be in Hall H either, if there is a SAG-AFTRA strike. Many had assumed that the new Superman actor would actually be announced at Comic-Con. Finally, Superman: Legacy director James Gunn is currently overseeing screen tests for Superman, Lois Lane and more: