2021 isn't shaping up to be much better than 2020, but on the plus side, it's been another busy week for news here on CBM. Time will tell whether we're facing another year of release date delays, but regardless of what the future holds, Hollywood is showing no signs of slowing down.
It's been manic over the past seven days, with WandaVision generating a lot of headlines after the review embargo lifted, and in terms of breaking news, there's a huge amount to delve into here.
There's been some major casting news for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, a big leak from The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, Deadpool 3 plans, more developments with Cyborg actor Ray Fisher, and a whole lot more. Throw in another round of release date changes, and we have plenty to keep you busy.
To take a look through these stories, all you guys need to do is hit the "Next" button down below.
Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige has finally shed some light on how they're handling the MCU TV shows coming to Disney+, and it seems there will be two different types of series.
"We're looking at it as developing them as either six hour-episodes, or nine or 10 half-hour episodes," he reveals. "So, for instance, WandaVision started that way and Falcon and the Winter Soldier as 30 minutes, but because it's streaming, it's Disney+, and the rules have blurred over the years, yes. Some can be 23 minutes. Some can be much longer than that."
He added that She-Hulk is being developed as 10 30-minute episodes, while Loki and The Falcon and The Winter Soldier will be in the 40 - 50 minute range (as will the planned Moon Knight series).
Feige's full comments can be found right here.
We recently saw Black Mask in Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey, but there are already plans to use the villain again (this time on the small screen). There's no casting news yet, but it's said that we'll see the False Face Society as it "tightens its grip on Gotham distributing a perilous new drug."
Showrunner Caroline Dries says, "We have a couple big bads this season. One, [who] we teed up midway through last season, is this woman Safiyah, and she's sort of Alice's Achilles' Heel. And ultimately the False Face Society, we will see the leader of this gang as Black Mask later."
Check out the full story on plans for Black Mask by clicking here.
Boardwalk Empire's Terence Winter parted ways with HBO Max and Matt Reeves due to "creative differences" on The Batman spinoff series ("Gotham Central" is the show's working title).
Now, a replacement has been found in Joe Barton. He's best known for creating Netflix crime drama Giri/Haji. He also worked on AMC and Channel 4 sci-fi drama Humans, Netflix's Troy: Fall of a City, Sky thriller Extinction, and more. Whether he can rival Winter's past work remains to be seen.
Find more details on his one here.
There was another development in the ongoing war between Ray Fisher and Warner Bros. this week, as the actor confirmed the studio has made the decision to remove him from The Flash.
In a lengthy statement, he confirmed that Cyborg was set to make more than just a cameo appearance, again accused Geoff Johns of "blatant racism," and indicated his time as the hero is over. Warner Bros. later responded with some words of their own, making it clear that the studio is ready to move on - from the situation and Fisher - now the investigation has been concluded.
Fisher's full statement can be found here.
Moon Knight has found its lead villain, and while we don't know exactly who he's playing, Marvel Studios has cast Ethan Hawke! This is definitely an unexpected addition to the MCU, but one it's impossible not to be excited about (especially with Oscar Isaac taking on the role of Marc Spector).
There are any number of possibilities for who Hawke could be playing, with Bushmaster the most likely. However, he could also be taking on the role of Werewolf-by-Night!
More details on Hawke's Moon Knight casting can be found by clicking here.
The reviews are in for WandaVision, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive so far. In our review, we said, "A love letter to sitcoms and the perfect show to bring us back into the MCU, WandaVision is Marvel's most exciting project yet, with an unmissable, Emmy-worthy performance from Elizabeth Olsen."
Since then, the show has been Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.
By now, we're sure you've watched those first two episodes for yourselves, but you can find a spoiler-heavy recap by clicking here, and a look at the show's most intriguing moments right here.
Don't forget to also check out our recent interviews with director Matt Shakman and star Kathryn Hahn.
Find the roundup of reviews for WandaVision here.
Earlier this week, a first look at Sam Wilson's Captain America costume in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier was revealed courtesy of some toy packaging for the Disney+ TV series.
Few changes have been made to this costume from the comics, and it's not remotely difficult to picture this fitting into the aesthetic of the MCU. The red, white, and blue wings looks awesome, and this figure makes it clear that this shared world will soon have a very different Captain America. Sam clearly isn't leaving his roots as Falcon behind, but is still representing what Steve Rogers stood for.
For a first look at this leaked costume, simply head over to the article by clicking here.
There was another wave of release date changes this week, starting with Morbius. Originally scheduled for a March 19th release (after being pushed back last year), Sony's Marvel movie is now heading our way on October 8th. That's not a bad spot for what many are hoping will be a horror-inspired tale.
Unfortunately, it's possible Black Widow is also being postponed, while James Bond movie No Time to Die has vacated its April 2nd spot for an undisclosed fall debut. There is some good news, though, because Godzilla vs. Kong has been brought forward by two months from Memorial Day to March 26th.
Find more on these planned release date changes right here.
While Chris Evans would later take to social media to say "news to me" in response to the story, the Hollywood trades revealed earlier this week that the actor is in negotiations to return for at least two more MCU appearances.
Another Captain America solo movie isn't expected to be one of them, with the plan being for Evans to make smaller appearances in projects not all that different to the role Robert Downey Jr. played in Captain America: Civil War. The Falcon and The Winter Soldier is one strong possibility, though he could also appear in something Multiverse related.
Check out the original report on this possible return here.
Easily the biggest news this week was Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige confirming that Deadpool 3 is officially in the works, and the threequel will be R-Rated!
As if that wasn't exciting enough, Feige added that the Merc with the Mouth is "a very different type of character in the MCU, and Ryan is a force of nature, which is just awesome to see him bring that character to life."
So, yes, the movie will be set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and not a separate/alternate world. Unfortunately, shooting isn't expected to begin until next year at the earliest.
Hear more from Kevin Feige on plans for the Merc with the Mouth by clicking here.