Just when you thought the release date domino effect was over, Marvel Studios has dropped a massive bombshell by revealing that Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Secret Wars have been delayed by a year each.

Recommended Videos

As part of wide-ranging rejig of Disney’s upcoming blockbusters, the reassembled Earth’s Mightiest Heroes will now battle against the big bad of the Multiverse Saga on May 1, 2026, with the sprawling epic set to round out the next stage of storytelling now arriving on May 7, 2027.

With Jonathan Majors set to play the principal antagonist in both, questions will be raised about what the actor’s future holds as the big bad of Phases Four, Five, and Six, as if it wasn’t a heated enough debate already. Of course, fans have become accustomed to Marvel Studios barely abiding to the release dates it initially announces, but it’s still going to sting that it’s happening all over again.

On the plus side, Deadpool 3 has at least been moved forward to May 3 from November 8, so there’s a silver lining on the latest dark cloud to hang over the biggest franchise in the business. That’s only one shining light in a realm of darkness, though, and there’s no doubt the conspiracy theories will be emerging shortly trying to piece together why the MCU has once more been hit with an earth-shattering lineup alteration.

Of course, the writers’ strike might be the biggest reason why, but when has the MCU fandom ever let the facts get in the way of a good story?