Summary
There are many future comic book movies in theMCU, theDCU, and beyond that appear to be simply too big to fail. Early on in theMCU’s movie timeline, the franchise established comic book movies as a force to be reckoned with at the box office. The genre has gone on to become one of the biggest in the film industry, breaking box office records and resulting in multiple continuities being born based on comic book source material.
Both Marvel andDC have upcoming moviesthat have the potential to be huge, alongside a handful of movies based on comics from further afield. In many cases, these planned movies appear to be failure-proof, as their central character or the buzz around their release seems enough to ensure their success. Though not all have yet been given official release dates, here are 10 future comic book movies that are too big to fail.
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The first outing of Sam Wilson as the MCU’s new Star-Spangled Man,Captain America: Brave New World’s cast of charactersis also set to bring back a number of other MCU figures. Alongside Sam Wilson, Betty Ross, Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, Samuel Sterns, and more are all set to return. As a result, the movie is set to pick up on plot threads that have been dangling since 2008’sThe Incredible Hulk, marking a long-awaited payoff for multiple teases.
As themovies of the MCUare typically met with box office success,Brave New World’s prospects seem good. With the movie set to continue the stories of multiple characters, its potential is clear, especially as it will mark the full introduction of the MCU’s new Captain America.There are very few aspects of the movie that are not causing a good deal of anticipation, likely leading to its success upon release.
After 1994’sThe Crowbecame a gothic cult classic, the franchise has struggled to replicate its popularity. 2008 saw a remake enter pre-production, but the movie swiftly entered development hell and, for a time, seemed unlikely to come to fruition. However, The Crow is now nearing completion and is scheduled to release in the summer of 2024, barring any further delays.
ThoughThe Crowmovies certainly haven’t established a pattern of commercial or critical success, the reboot seems likely to break the mold. The reimagining of the cult classic stars Bill Skarsgård, FKA Twigs, and Danny Huston, with its lead actor providing a significant box office draw.Skarsgård’s prominence and the original movie’s cult following seem certain to lendThe Crowa significant chance for success, making it appear to be another comic book movie that’s too big to fail.
As part of James Gunn and Peter Safran’s new DC Universe, the Dark Knight is set to be introduced to audiences inBatman: The Brave and the Bold. The movie, written by Gunn, will reportedly follow the story of the comic book arc of the same name, following Bruce Wayne as he encounters and trains his son, Damian, as the next Robin.Batman’s previous box office success, combined with Gunn’s cinematic track record, appear to indicateThe Brave and the Boldwill do well upon release.
What makes it such an enticing prospect is its apparent exploration of a different Batman story. Since 1997’sBatman & Robin, the Dark Knight’s iconic sidekick has been notably absent from Batman movies, with the Caped Crusader typically fighting Gotham’s criminals alone.The Brave and the Bold’s source material already indicates a new approach to Batman for the DCU,which is simultaneously refreshing and exciting.
One of the most talked-about upcoming comic book movies isJames Gunn’sSuperman, which will mark the beginning of a new continuity known as the DCU. As well as David Corenswet playing a new iteration of the titular Man of Steel,Supermanwill feature Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern, and several other prominent DC figures. As such, the film’s potential for success is evident.
AsSupermanwill begin a new continuity, it will likely prove mandatory viewing for any DC fan or fan or comic book movies in general. After the demise of the ill-fated DCEU,James Gunn’s reimagined Superman will be under close scrutiny, likely leading to a greater box office presence forSuperman.The movie is currently tipped for a 2025 release.
2022’sThe Batmanintroduced Matt Reeves’ take on Gotham City to the big screen, with Robert Pattinson stepping into the cape and cowl of the iconic vigilante. The film told the story of Batman early in his crimefighting career as he encounters the Riddler, and its success saw a sequel swiftly announced. Due to the success of the first film,The Batman Part IIis already a highly anticipated title.
One of thebiggest focuses for the praise heaped uponThe Batmanwas its gritty and realistic setting and unique worldbuilding. As such,the sequel is all but certain to recapture the same dark energy as its predecessor, especially as both Reeves and Pattinson are already set to return. ConsideringThe Batman’s success and the widespread appeal for darker, narrative-driven comic book movies, it would seem thatThe Batman Part IIcannot fail.
ThoughAvengers: Secret Warsis still a way off, it’s undoubtedly one of the most anticipated MCU movies currently on Marvel’s slate of future releases. The film is set to adapt the iconic comic book storyline of the same name while also serving as the finale of the MCU’s Multiverse Saga.Secret Warshas the potential for the biggest crossover event in cinematic history, with Marvel heroes from across the Multiverse tipped to appear.
With the record-breaking box office success ofAvengers: Endgamestill looming large in living memory, it would seem that the MCU’s next major narrative conclusion will prove similarly popular.Considering the narrative importance ofSecret Wars’ place in the MCU timeline, its success is practically guaranteed, as it will also shape the franchise’s future in a major way. If the MCU’s historical success with landmark titles is anything to go by,Secret Warswill be nothing short of a box office smash.
Todd Philips’ 2019 movieJokerearned a reputation as an entirely different type of comic book movie, winning multiple Academy Awards and being critically cited as one of the deepest and most creatively fascinating comic book movies of all time. Joaquin Phoenix’s award-winning performance earned the movie a sequel, with Arthur Fleck once more donning his clown make-up to bring Batman’s arch-nemesis back to the big screen. Arthur won’t be alone in thecast ofJoker: Folie à Deux, however.
The sequel is set to introduce fan favorite Harley Quinn alongside Phoenix’s Joker, played by Lady Gaga.Folie à Deuxwill be a musical sequel set inside Arkham Asylum, furthering the original movie’s inventive and innovative approach to its protagonist’s origin story.With the success ofJokerand the unique premise of the sequel, it would appear thatFolie à Deuxis headed for major success.
Another MCU release that is being keenly anticipated isThe Fantastic Four, which is set to finally introduce Marvel’s First Family into the franchise. After years of underwhelming adaptations of the characters, Marvel has finally retained the rights to the heroes, and they are set to join cinema’s biggest franchise in 2025. A cast of Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Joseph Quinn, and Ralph Ineson has already been announced.
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The years of anticipation will likely prove just one factor inTheFantastic Four’s success. The all-star cast will surely capitalize on the popularity of its individual actors, serving up one of the MCU’s most exciting collections of stars in a single movie to date.The characters’ importance to the future of the MCU will likely also prove important, making for a perfect combination of elements that seem certain to ensure the movie’s success.
Though the movie’s release date has been moved multiple times (no release date currently stands), the delays have done nothing to dampen excitement forSpider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse. The film will conclude theSpider-Versetrilogy, picking up where its predecessor,Across the Spider-Verse, left off. The previous movie’s cliffhanger ending andthe critical and commercial praise of both its predecessors indicate thatBeyond the Spider-Verseis destined for huge success.
The trilogy’s unique and mesmerizing art style and general presentation combined with the voice talents of multiple respected actors have already helped theSpider-Versemovies achieve global popularity. However, it’s the wider narrative arc that has captured the imaginations of audiences worldwide, following a young Miles Morales as he learns how to be a hero in a seemingly endless Multiverse. As the third film has already been teed up as a hard-hitting conclusion to the trilogy, it certainly appears to be too big to fail.
The X-Men first made their way onto the big screen in 2000’sX-Men, and they have been a staple of the comic book movie genre ever since through Fox’s film franchise. The rights having finally reverted to Marvel means that the X-Men are now free to join the MCU, allowing Marvel’s mutant heroes to share a screen with some of their long-time comic book allies and adversaries. Naturally, the X-Men’s full MCU debut is one of the longest-awaited in the franchise’s history.
As such, the MCU’sX-Menis a project for which failure is unthinkable. The underwhelming reception to Fox’s movies and the success of Marvel’sX-Men ’97have the mutants poised to take the MCU by storm, and the decades of anticipation will only serve to fuel their success. As such, Marvel’sX-Menappears to be the future comic book movie with the least chance of failure out of all potential releases in theMCU, theDCU, and beyond.
