Are you a fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Do super soldiers, witches, and Iron-clad egotists get your heart pumping? Do jacked musclemen with testosterone spilling from their pores and quippy remarks tucked up their sleeves quench your superhero thirsts? How about Jersey City preadolescents who can manipulate photonic energy (did we get the science right?) or villains who sashay across the grounds they’ve destroyed with a sense of superiority and nonchalance? Whatever your superhero flavor is, 2024 is shaping up to be quite the year for heroes and villains.
‘Echo’ | January 9, 2024
First appearing in the Marvel series Hawkeye, Echo sees the return of Alaqua Cox as Maya Lopez in an origin story that forces her to confront her past, reconnect with her Native American roots, and embrace her family and community if she hopes to move forward. Vincent D’Onofrio will return as Wilson Fisk (Kingpin) in a role that will show the depths of the relationship between him and Echo, as well as his manipulative tendencies. As is the case with many a Marvel series, the show is bound to be a high-octane thrill ride with some intense combat sequences…and a couple of moments that tug at the heartstrings. Yet, this series will be a bit more crime-centric, dark, and less fantastical than the likes of WandaVision or Ms. Marvel.
‘Madame Web’ | February 14, 2024
Madame Web marks Sony’s first foray into a female-led Marvel movie and stars Dakota Johnson in the title role. In the comics, more than one individual has taken on the mantle of Madame Web, and the character shifts between hero and advisor. The OG Madame is Cassandra Web: an elderly blind mutant with a neuromuscular disease confined to a support system resembling a spider’s web. In the comics, she uses her clairvoyant abilities to aid Spider-Man. Eventually, wanting to proceed with her character arc in a more high-octane fashion, Marvel cures her of her ailments, gives her back her sight, and makes her an immortal being.
In the film, Web is a New York City medic who starts to show signs of clairvoyance. While forced to confront her past, she must protect three young women from an adversary who wants them dead. The film also stars Sydney Sweeney of Euphoria fame and Emma Roberts with director S.J Clarkson at the helm.
‘Deadpool 3’ | July 26, 2024
With Hugh Jackman returning as Wolverine, the MCU is, at last, expanding its mutant population. While the plot surrounding the Merc With a Mouth’s third solo outing remains undisclosed, the movie will also star Emma Corrin, Jennifer Garner (returning as the beloved Elektra), and Morena Baccarin. Shawn Levy directs what is one of the most highly-anticipated summer releases.
‘Kraven the Hunter’ | August 30, 2024
Kraven the Hunter follows Russian immigrant Sergei Kravinoff — a man (or should we say beast) on a mission to prove that he is the greatest hunter in the world. The upcoming film stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson in the title role alongside Ariana DeBose, Russell Crowe, Levi Miller, Christopher Abbott, and Alessandro Nivola as The Rhino. J.C. Chandor directs with a script from Richard Wenk, Art Marcum, and Matt Holloway. In the comics, Kraven appears in Spider-Man Issue 15 as an adversary to the web-slinger. He grows to become one of Peter Parker’s primary antagonists and is even one of the few who make up the infamous Rogue Gallery. He also comes into conflict with the Black Panther. Based on the trailer, it remains unclear how he will come to join fellow MCU staples, and whether he will be a baddie, a goodie, or something in between.
In the brief clip, his father (Russell Crowe) is a classic paternal jerk who sees compassion as weakness. When Sergei is mauled by a lion he couldn’t bring himself to shoot, his father leaves him for dead. A drop of that lion’s blood falls into his dying body, and he reawakens as Kraven. He grows committed to ridding the world of the evil his father brings into it, but the way he kills is anything but merciful.
‘Joker: Folie a Deux’ | October 4, 2024
While the Joker is not a superhero, the supervillains deserve their moment in the spotlight too. The upcoming movie musical sees the return of Joaquin Phoenix in the titular role and welcomes multi-hyphenate Lady Gaga to the soiree as Harley Quinn. While the plot remains unknown, seeing these two in a toxic relationship — one bound to be both dramatic and darkly comic — is destined to be quite the treat. Will they sing into each other’s forlorn eyes? Will they dance around corpses with joyful delight? Will they smile as they liven up the macabre with merry patter songs? Todd Phillips returns as director with a script from Paul Dini, Bill Finger, and Bob Kane.
‘Agatha: Darkhold Diaries’ (Formerly ‘Coven of Chaos’) | Scheduled: Fall 2024
Following the success of WandaVision, and the critical and audience reception surrounding Kathryn Hahn’s portrayal of Agatha Harkness, it should come as no surprise that Disney is racing to get this one on the streamer. The premise is pretty straightforward (or so it seems at this point): Agatha finds herself powerless after breaking out of her containment in Westview, New Jersey, so she looks to some unlikely allies to join her on her quest to regain her witchy wonders. The series also stars Broadway legend Patti LuPone (will we get another musical splendor reminiscent of “Agatha All Along?”), Aubrey Plaza, and Joe Locke of Heartstopper fame. Jac Schaeffer and Gandja Monteiro reportedly directed multiple episodes of the series, with Monteiro directing the finale, and Rachel Goldberg also directing.
