July 8, 2016: "phantom" Marvel movie...?

[cherokeesam]

Originally, Marvel Studios had announced an untitled movie for July 8, 2016. When the studio unveiled their Phase III blueprint, that date was no longer on the agenda, and no explanation for the apparent change was given. Instead, 2016 for MS features CACW in May and Dr. Strange in November.


But here's the thing: the rest of the Phase III blueprint shows *3* Marvel films per year, all slated specifically for May, July, and November releases. Why would the release schedule for 2016 (still 2 years away) be different than the other phase III years (2017-2018)? There's nothing at all in July 2016 that looks like an "unbeatable" blockbuster that Marvel wouldn't risk competing with....it's fairly "empty" and available territory. In fact, it's *inviting* territory --- a perfect opportunity to drop a major Marvel release. Hell, that specific July 8 (the frickin' Fourth of July holiday....!) weekend is *completely* free, with no releases announced as of yet. (It's not unreasonable to assume that other studios shied away from that date when they heard that Marvel was staking a claim to it.)

Comicbook.com has also noticed this, and theorizes that it could indicate that rumored crossover play with Sony's Spider-verse; specifically, they think MS is "letting" Sinister Six slide into place in that slot. That's possible, of course; but would Sinister Six be enough of a box office draw to warrant Marvel essentially giving up prime real estate for?

http://comicbook.com/2014/11/01/what-happened-to-the-missing-marvel-studios-movie-/

Seems to me that Marvel is playing their cards close to the vest on this one, and there *is* a third Marvel movie in that slot that they don't want to announce just yet. I'd suspect it would be a major coup, something along the lines of a Hulk sequel (the long rumored Planet Hulk...?) or even the rumored Spidey crossover event into the MCU.

Anyone actually believe that Marvel has officially abandoned that juicy Fourth of July weekend slot, when the rest of the Phase III slate clearly indicates a May-July-November 3-film annual strategy? And if you *do* believe they're keeping mum on this, as I do, what do *you* think they're keeping under wraps for that date?


***Edit: just to add fuel to this fire, during discussion of the Phase III movies, Kevin Feige let slip there would be *ten* movies, when only *nine* were announced.

 

[Mr.M]

It's too late in the game to announce a major project for that summer. It would have to go into production early next year. Clearly there just isn't enough time to get it going. I would be shocked if something is announced. The most logical thing is probably a Hulk sequel, but honestly that summer is going to be packed as is, with BvS, X-Men, and Civil War. It's too tight a window at this point for something big.

 

[Avid Avenger]

A) It's been given up, as they don't have the time for another movie or they reshifted their movies and reworked their schedule
2) They do have a secret movie hidden that won't be revealed until after Age of Utron
C...or 3) They are still working out deals with other studios.

 

[Drizzle]

I think that was just Doctor Strange's original release date until it was pushed back. There is no third MCU film for 2016, otherwise it would have been announced already. Why announce what's coming in May 2019 but keep July 2016 a secret. Even if it was Planet Hulk and they wanted to keep the title secret, they could have just called it The Incredible Hulk 2 as a tentative title. I don't think Marvel is keeping any of their Phase III films a secret at this point.

 

[doink]

There was an old Variety article that said the July 2016 movie was Doctor Strange (it was from around the time the dates were announced).

They just decided to push it back to November. There's no movie scheduled for July 2016 now.

 

[KDM1986]

As much as I would love it, if they announced another movie for 2016 after Age of Ultron. It's probably nothing but here's hopong for the Hulk solo!

 

[LEOZZTT]

*sniff, sniff*

Smells like...

 

[cherokeesam]

*sniff, sniff*

Smells like...

Agreed.

The same sources who correctly identified the Phase III lineup also said Planet Hulk is on the way, and AOU sets it up. Feige & Marvel can deny til they're blue in the face, but the denials from Marvel (about *anything*) are becoming less and less credible with each new reveal, since each new "reveal" is usually something that was scooped weeks or months before.

So either Planet Hulk is told within another title, like GOTG2 or Thor: Ragnarok, or it *is* on its way as a solo movie. Gunn has vehemently denied that GOTG2 will have anything to do with PH. PH may or may not fit into the framework of the Thor sequel. But it's more likely that the 7/8/16 date is where they're going, but the need for secrecy involves wresting film distribution rights for a Hulk movie away from Universal, who apparently still own those rights. They've still got 2 years to take care of that.

 

[ctriis]

I thought this was gonna be about a Phantom film produced by Marvel, but it wasn't and now I'm sad. The Phantom is my very favorite comic book character of all time.

Staying on topic, though; the idea of Planet Hulk to be released in 2016 is a little bit unrealistic I think. If Marvel currently do not own the film rights for this story, and the film is not yet in pre-production, they need to get to work ASAP to get it ready in time. July 8th 2016 is only 20 months away.

Also, wasn't that the date Dr Strange "supposedly" was to be released? They have probably just pushed it back.

 

[BatsDC]

I doubt another movie will take that spot.

But, Hulk would be awesome.

 

[Spider-Fan]

I wish this would mean Planet Hulk i coming, but sadly I don't. There was no reason NOT to announce it in the phase 3 announcements. The only possibility remaining for it is that GotG2 incorporated Planet Hulk into that. I don't see a 3rd 2016 film.

 

[Moridin]

Originally, Marvel Studios had announced an untitled movie for July 8, 2016. When the studio unveiled their Phase III blueprint, that date was no longer on the agenda, and no explanation for the apparent change was given. Instead, 2016 for MS features CACW in May and Dr. Strange in November.


But here's the thing: the rest of the Phase III blueprint shows *3* Marvel films per year, all slated specifically for May, July, and November releases. Why would the release schedule for 2016 (still 2 years away) be different than the other phase III years (2017-2018)? There's nothing at all in July 2016 that looks like an "unbeatable" blockbuster that Marvel wouldn't risk competing with....it's fairly "empty" and available territory. In fact, it's *inviting* territory --- a perfect opportunity to drop a major Marvel release. Hell, that specific July 8 (the frickin' Fourth of July holiday....!) weekend is *completely* free, with no releases announced as of yet. (It's not unreasonable to assume that other studios shied away from that date when they heard that Marvel was staking a claim to it.)


Anyone actually believe that Marvel has officially abandoned that juicy Fourth of July weekend slot, when the rest of the Phase III slate clearly indicates a May-July-November 3-film annual strategy? And if you *do* believe they're keeping mum on this, as I do, what do *you* think they're keeping under wraps for that date?

This is silly, and completely wishful thinking. Once again you're looking deep into something that isn't there.

There has never been any indication that there would be 3 films in 2016 and Marvel have not done 3 films a year ever before so why would it be suspicious if there's only 2 in 2016.

There is no longer an "Untitled Marvel Movie" placeholder in July because they moved that film, DOCTOR STRANGE, to November. Thor 2 was originally scheduled for summer 2013 also, but got moved to November, that didn't open up a slot for a film because production needs at a least 2 years, same deal here, which is why even if they wanted to there just isn't enough time.

 

[fixxxer]

I'm reasonably certain there's nothing to this... that it's merely the Dr. Strange movie pushed back by a few months. But, I'll hold out hope for a surprise Marvel Studios movie pushed in there. Why not?

Hey, I'm still irrationally holding out hope that that Josh Trank abomination-in-progress never gets off the ground.

 

[Fincher]

It's absolutely possible that they could put together a surprise Planet Hulk movie between a later announcement and July 2016...if it's a puppet show Kevin Feige is taping in his basement.

 

[drod1985]

Planet Hulk puppet show? I'd pay to see it.

 

[Mike Murdock]

It's the original Doctor Strange date. They pushed it back due to not having a star (or, more intriguingly, due to the need to accommodate Benedict Cumberbatch's schedule).

 

[Heretic]

Have you guys noticed how many other weekends on that year don't have announced Marvel movies yet? We could get 50 more movie announcements! Hey, it's possible!

 

[TheHeatKitchen]

Have you guys noticed how many other weekends on that year don't have announced Marvel movies yet? We could get 50 more movie announcements! Hey, it's possible!

I like the way you think, even if it is sarcasm. More Elizabeth Olsen please!

 

[Hypestyle]

I want to see Power Pack. Open things up to more concepts and characters and non-Avengers folks.

 

[babykhris]

*sniff, sniff*

Smells like...

Until Universal sells the distribution rights to Disney like Paramount did I don't see that happening...Disney wants FULL control.

 

[Eddie]

Just throwing this out there: Sony is scheduled to release Sinister Six one week after Doctor Strange now. If there's any truth to those Spidey MCU rumors, that date no longer makes any business sense for Marvel. Pushing it forward to July on the other hand...

 

[cherokeesam]

This is silly, and completely wishful thinking. Once again you're looking deep into something that isn't there.

There has never been any indication that there would be 3 films in 2016 and Marvel have not done 3 films a year ever before so why would it be suspicious if there's only 2 in 2016.

There is no longer an "Untitled Marvel Movie" placeholder in July because they moved that film, DOCTOR STRANGE, to November. Thor 2 was originally scheduled for summer 2013 also, but got moved to November, that didn't open up a slot for a film because production needs at a least 2 years, same deal here, which is why even if they wanted to there just isn't enough time.

Except for the fact that 2017 and 2018, the other Phase III years, DO feature 3 films a year. Why would Phase III open with a Phase II (i.e., 2 a year) production schedule and then abruptly ramp up production to 3 a year for the following two years? What's the point of changing up the rate of production in the middle of a Phase, instead of from its inception?

And it doesn't take 2 years for Marvel to make a film. Filming itself takes approximately one year from first take to world premiere for almost all the Marvel films. Pre-production and casting on a film that featured already existing actors and storylines --- such as Planet Hulk --- would be minimal. Casting would only be necessary for supporting roles. Writers? Planet Hulk is already on the written page, and it would take all of a single weekend to churn out a treatment for it (assuming a script hasn't already been written....keep in mind that Marvel already have spec scripts on practically every character on their roster). Director? There've already been plenty of rumors about Marvel reaching out to certain directors and actors/actresses for as yet unknown projects. Adam McKay, for instance, the guy who took over the script for Ant-Man. There's a damn good chance that a 2016 film (whatever it theoretically would be) already has a cast, crew and script, just not finalized yet.

 

[pr0xyt0xin]

I want to believe you SAM. I really want to believe.

 

[Shikamaru]

Ant-Man was originally supposed to be released this year too, but got pushed back to 2015 due to Wright (ironic in retrospect). That would have given Phase 2 three movies this year, two last and one next year. Then there's the Phase 1 lineup which was all over the place (2 films, no film, 1 film, 2 films, 1 film).

Why would they announce Civil War and Infinity War but keep any other film a secret? What could possibly leave a bigger impact than that? You could argue a Planet Hulk film would spoil the AoU ending, but so does Civil War to an extent. In fact, we practically see the entire skeleton of the MCU now that Phase 3's been announced: team splits after Ultron, Tony becomes more authoritarian as a result, puts him at odds with Cap, then reunite to fight Thanos, plus possible T-bomb at the end. If they were willing to "spoil" all that (for lack of better word), they would "spoil" a Planet Hulk announcement.

 

[SirStrangefolk]

Except for the fact that 2017 and 2018, the other Phase III years, DO feature 3 films a year. Why would Phase III open with a Phase II (i.e., 2 a year) production schedule and then abruptly ramp up production to 3 a year for the following two years? What's the point of changing up the rate of production in the middle of a Phase, instead of from its inception?

And it doesn't take 2 years for Marvel to make a film. Filming itself takes approximately one year from first take to world premiere for almost all the Marvel films. Pre-production and casting on a film that featured already existing actors and storylines --- such as Planet Hulk --- would be minimal. Casting would only be necessary for supporting roles. Writers? Planet Hulk is already on the written page, and it would take all of a single weekend to churn out a treatment for it (assuming a script hasn't already been written....keep in mind that Marvel already have spec scripts on practically every character on their roster). Director? There've already been plenty of rumors about Marvel reaching out to certain directors and actors/actresses for as yet unknown projects. Adam McKay, for instance, the guy who took over the script for Ant-Man. There's a damn good chance that a 2016 film (whatever it theoretically would be) already has a cast, crew and script, just not finalized yet.

Since when is it a rule that the amount of films per year should be consistent for each phase? If it is a rule, I now demand 2 extra films for 2009, one extra for 2010 and one extra for 2012, so every phase 1 year has two films.

Also, you think that it's possible to create a complete script in one week, just because there is a comic book version of the story (even though a Planet Hulk film would probably be just as different from the comic as Winter Soldier was from it's comic, Iron Man 2 was from Armor Wars and Age of Ultron will be from the comic of the same name, in other words, completely different.)

I really want this to be true, but it's just unrealistic. What reason would they have to keep it a secret? Because the title would be a spoiler for Age of Ultron? Then why not announce it with a working title that doesn't give anything away?