Finally! After a full 82 days, which is easily the longest gap between a Marvel movie’s theatrical release and its streaming premiere in the platform’s history, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is now at last available to watch on Disney Plus, as of Feb. 1. Although its D+ debut hasn’t been without its hiccups, with one particular complaint being leveled at the film by grumbling fans, at least we have the superhero sequel to keep us company until Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania launches on the big screen later this month.
We know what the next Marvel Studios production hitting cinemas is, then, but what will be the next streaming release to come from the House of Ideas following Wakanda Forever being ours to watch forever from the comfort of our couches? Unfortunately, Marvel is currently being very shady about the answer to this mystery, but there are nonetheless a couple of options.
Option 1: What If…? season 2
The reason for the uncertainty is that Marvel’s Phase Five slate, as revealed at summer 2022’s San Diego Comic-Con, scheduled two different TV series as being due in “early 2023.” The first of these is What If…? season two, the sophomore run of the animated anthology show that premiered back in fall 2021.
The likelihood of What If…? being the next Disney Plus outing to come our way, though, has been cast into doubt in the wake of rumors that production has hit a snag. Worrying reports have claimed that season two is among a batch of Marvel series that are facing considerable delays, which may also including Agatha: Coven of Chaos (lined up for winter 2023) and Daredevil: Born Again (spring 2024).
This could all come to naught, but it has to be said that What If…?‘s second run has already been held back from its original release plan of late 2022. So there is a strong possibility it won’t have the honor of following Wakanda Forever on streaming.
Option 2: Secret Invasion
If that is the case, and What If…? does get pushed back yet again, then the next Marvel Studios release we can expect to emerge onto Disney Plus is Secret Invasion. Like the animated series’ next batch of episodes, the Samuel L. Jackson vehicle is similarly due to arrive in “early 2023,” but unlike What If…? there’s no reason to belief it’s been delayed as filming completed on the project last year.
As loosely based on the comic book event of the same name, Secret Invasion brings back Jackson as Nick Fury for his first ever starring role in the MCU, with Captain Marvel‘s Ben Mendelsohn returning as Fury’s Skrull buddy Talos. The pair will discover the unnerving truth that the more sinister shapeshifters among Talos’ kind have secretly infiltrated the upper echelons of Earth’s society.
The star-studded show likewise features the likes of Emilia Clarke, Kingsley Ben-Adir, and Oscar winner Olivia Colman in their MCU debuts. Not to mention Don Cheadle back as War Machine, likely alongside other familiar favorites we don’t know about yet.
There’s a small chance Secret Invasion could be coming to Disney Plus next month, but April seems like a more logical slot for it on Marvel’s timetable.