All the new Marvel and Star Wars shows coming to Disney+

Note: This article was first published on 11th December 2020 and is now re-published as the Disney+ service will be launched on 23rd February 2021 and many of the upcoming projects will be available on Disney+.

What, only 100 announcements? For shame. 

Disney took to its big end-of-year Investor Day call (on 10th December 2020) to announce a whole bunch of exciting projects coming to Disney+ and theatres! The House of Mouse has a lot planned for the future - and we’re breaking down all the new projects announced in one handy list. From Star Wars movies to Marvel TV shows, there's a lot to go through here. We’ll begin in a galaxy far, far away…

Ahsoka

It’s finally happening! This spin-off of The Mandalorian follows Ahsoka Tano - an ex-jedi who trained under Anakin Skywalker during The Clone Wars. The show will likely bring Rosario Dawson back as the Force-wielder after her appearance in The Mandalorian Season 2. However, the story will pick up right after the end of Star Wars: Rebels - meaning it’ll take place before she meets Grogu and Din Djarin. In that time period, all we know is that she was working with Sabine Wren to find Ezra Bridger, another would-be Jedi who went missing at the end of Rebels. 

This series will launch on Disney+ sometime in 2022, created and executive produced by Dave Filoni. Filoni also served as executive producer and creator of multiple Star Wars series - such as The Mandalorian, The Clone Wars and Rebels. It makes sense that he’d want to see Ahsoka’s journey through to the end. 

Rangers of the New Republic

Not much is known about this one - other than the fact that it will also spin-off from The Mandalorian, and crossover with the Ahsoka series in a climactic event. This show is set within the timeline of The Mandalorian, suggesting that it might focus on New Republic recruit Cara Dune - but it’s too early to say. The Mandalorian Season 3 will launch by Christmas 2021 - hopefully giving us more clues on what the Rangers of the New Republic will turn out to be then. 

The Bad Batch

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The Bad Batch were first introduced in The Clone Wars as a group of experimental clones that functioned as elite mercenaries. Now, they’re picking up from where The Clone Wars left off! As the Empire begins to sink its grubby little fingers into every corner of the galaxy, this squad will have to embark on daring missions to rebel and find their purpose in a brave new world. This series will debut on Disney+, though we strangely don’t have a release window yet. 

Obi-Wan Kenobi

So we know that Ewan McGregor is returning for a limited series as Obi-Wan Kenobi. Old news, right? Well, get this: Hayden Christensen is also coming back as Anakin Skywalker! Christensen will return as Darth Vader in, “the rematch of the century.” The actor spoke about appearing in Kenobi in a press release, saying, “It was such an incredible journey playing Anakin Skywalker. Of course, Anakin and Obi-Wan weren’t on the greatest of terms when we last saw them… It will be interesting to see what an amazing director like Deborah Chow has in store for us all. I’m excited to work with Ewan again. It feels good to be back.”

Last we saw of McGregor’s Obi-Wan in Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, he had settled down in Tatooine. That doesn’t bode well for Vader and his passionate hate for sand. 

Lando

No, you didn’t misread that title. The scoundrel Lando Calrissian returns in, “a brand-new event series,” for Disney+. We don’t know if Billy Dee Williams will reprise his role from the original trilogy, or if the series will be a prequel following Donald Glover’s version from Solo instead. What we do know is that Justin Simien is developing Lando’s story, and given how excellent his previous work (Dear White People) is, the show is in good hands. 

Andor

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Tony Gilroy (The Bourne Legacy)’s new spy thriller series for Disney+ focuses on Cassian Andor, a rebel spy who first appeared in Rogue One. Diego Luna will reprise the role, joined by a cast that includes: Stellan Skarsgard, Adria Arjona, Fiona Shaw, Denise Gough, Kyle Soller, and Genevieve O’Reilly, who returns as Mon Mothma. Production began three weeks ago, so we should see more from this series next year.

The Acolyte

If you haven’t caught on already, there is a metric ton of Star Wars coming to Disney+. Leslye Headland’s previously-announced series is now titled The Acolyte, and it has quite an intriguing premise. This mystery-thriller will, “take the audience into a galaxy of shadowy secrets and emerging dark side powers in the final days of the High Republic era.” For more information on the High Republic, check out our coverage here. 

Star Wars: Visions

This is essentially Star Wars’ version of Marvel Studios’ upcoming What If…? Series. Star Wars: Visions will be a series of animated short films from, “the world’s best anime creators,” presenting their unique takes on the Star Wars universe. This anthology series will feature 10 ‘visions’ from several of the leading Japanese anime studios. 

A Droid Story

This is probably the most bizarre announcement to come out of the Star Wars franchise, but I’m here for it. Lucasfilm Animation and Lucasfilm’s visual effects team, Industrial Light & Magic are teaming up to produce A Droid Story. This, “epic journey,” will introduce us to a new hero, presumably a droid, guided by the legendary duo of R2-D2 and C-3PO. 

Rogue Squadron

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Hey, wouldn't it be cool if we had a Top Gun-like film in the Star Wars universe? Enter Rogue Squadron: a feature film directed by Patty Jenkins (Wonder Woman). The movie will introduce a new generation of starfighter pilots as they earn their wings and fight for their lives in a, “boundary-pushing, high-speed thrill-ride,” moving the Star Wars saga into a further era of the galaxy. Rogue Squadron hits theaters on Christmas 2023. 

Hey, what about Indiana Jones?

That’s a wrap on the Star Wars announcements - but Disney had more to show from Lucasfilm. Excitingly, the company is currently in pre-production on Indiana Jones 5, which will be directed by James Mangold (Ford v Ferrari, Logan). Of course, Harrison Ford will return with his trademark fedora and whip in hand, to begin shooting in late spring of 2021. The film will bring the Indiana Jones franchise to a close, debuting in July 2022. 

Disney+ is also planning a sequel series to Ron Howard’s 1988 movie Willow. Warwick Davis returns as the sorcerer Willow Ufgood, while Jon Chu (Crazy Rich Asians) directs the pilot. Willow will launch in 2022. Lucasfilm is planning an adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi’s book Children of Blood & Bone, too. The story follows a young African girl’s heart-racing quest to restore magic to her forsaken people, the Maji. 

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What, you thought that was it? Disney also put out a ton of Marvel Studios announcements, which you can find in the next page!

WandaVision

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Marvel Studios released a ton of new trailers for their upcoming slate of Disney+ originals, starting with WandaVision.  This mind-bending series has Wanda Maximoff struggle to adapt to her new Vision-less existence, apparently going so far as to create a new life for herself based on classic black-and-white sitcoms. The series will progress through different decades of American sitcoms - eventually arriving at an Office-style mockumentary episode. 

It’s not all fun and games, though - Monica Rambeau (Teyona Parris), Darcy Lewis (Kat Dennings) and Jimmy Woo (Randall Park) all return from previous movies under dire circumstances. 

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier

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Here’s your first proper trailer for the Falcon and the Winter Soldier! This series takes place after Avengers: Endgame, with Steve Rogers retired and Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) stepping up to the plate as Captain America. Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) teams up with WIlson to fight Baron Zemo (Daniel Bruhl), who returns from Captain America: Civil War. Emily VanCamp returns as Sharon Carter, and Wyatt Russell joins as John Walker - the military’s successor to Captain America. 

Loki

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Loki might’ve died in Avengers: Infinity War, but the Loki who escaped with the Cosmic Cube in Avengers: Endgame still lives. Confused? I think you’re supposed to be. This Disney+ series has Tom Hiddleston reprise his role as the titular god of mischief, who has somehow wound up imprisoned by the TVA. In the comics, the TVA are the Time Variance Authority, an organisation that monitors the multiverse for signs of danger. You can see why they might take an interest in a time-travelling god, then. 

It looks like this series will see Loki hopping through different universes, damaging the multiverse and attracting the attention of the TVA. Owen Wilson also stars as a TVA agent. 

What If…?

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The universe is full of infinite possibilities, and the same is true for the MCU. This animated series has Uatu, AKA The Watcher (Jeffrey Wright) take viewers on an anthological tour through the MCU - if things had been just a little different. What would’ve happened if Peggy Carter was the one to receive the Super Soldier Serum, instead of Steve Rogers? What if Yondu had picked up T’Challa to travel the galaxy with, instead of Peter Quill? What if, what if, what if...?

Ms. Marvel and Captain Marvel 2

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Kamala Khan appeared in Marvel’s Avengers earlier this year as the high-spirited Ms. Marvel, but she’ll also make her live-action debut on Disney+ in 2021! Newcomer Iman Vellani plays Kamala in this series - a 16-year-old Pakistani-American growing up in Jersey City. She’s a huge fan of superheroes, Captain Marvel in particular. This teenager struggles to fit in at home and in school - a matter that only grows complicated when she gets superpowers. 

Vellani will also appear in Captain Marvel 2, joining Brie Larson who returns as the titular Avenger. Teyonah Parris will also reprise her role as Monica Rambeau in the movie, from WandaVision. The movie will be directed by Nia DaCosta (Candyman), to be released on November 11, 2022. 

Hawkeye

After a ton of leaks, it shouldn’t be too surprising - but Marvel Studios has confirmed that Hailee Steinfeld will join Jeremy Renner’s Clint Barton as Kate Bishop in this upcoming Disney+ series! The series will take inspiration from Matt Fraction’s Hawkeye comicbook run, which is legendary in the eyes of Hawkeye fans. Kate Bishop initially trained under Barton’s wing as an archer, but quickly became her own version of Hawkeye. The two frequently pair up in the comics, along with Barton’s dog Lucky - who will also appear in the series! The goodest of comicbook boys. 

This series will launch in 2021. 

Shang-Chi and the Legend of Ten Rings

Simu Liu stars as Shang-Chi in this action movie. Shang-Chi has to confront the past he thought he’d left behind, when he gets drawn into the web of the mysterious Ten Rings organisation. The Mandarin will also appear (the real one, not Iron Man 3’s faux Ben Kingsley version), and he could pose a formidable threat for any Avenger. The movie’s full cast has now been revealed, which you can check out above!

She-Hulk

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has finally cast She-Hulk: Tatiana Maslany! This Marvel Studios comedy series will dive into the world of superhuman-oriented legal cases with Jennifer Walters, a lawyer who specialises in such cases. In the comics, Walters was Bruce Banner’s cousin, gaining a version of his gamma-infused powers after a life-saving blood transfusion. Of course, this means that Mark Ruffalo will appear as the Hulk too. Surprisingly, Tim Roth will also return as the Abomination, a villainous human-turned-monster who first appeared in The Incredible Hulk. Feige teased that more returning characters will guest star!

Secret Invasion

Surprise, surprise: we’re getting Marvel Comics’ Secret Invasion storyline in the form of a Disney+ series! In the post-credits scene for Spider-Man: Far From Home, it was revealed that the Nick Fury and Maria Hill featured in that movie had actually been Skrulls all along. The real Nick Fury was sitting pretty on a Skrull spaceship, up to unknown shenanigans. Samuel L. Jackson will reprise his role as Fury, while Ben Mendelsohn returns as Talos (from Captain Marvel). 

The comicbook storyline was a huge crossover event focusing on a faction of Skrulls who had been infiltrating Earth for years. Who knows if this series will have the same scope.

Ironheart

Iron Man is gone, and that has had a huge impact on this chaotic universe. Two Disney+ series will deal with the aftermath of his death, the first being Ironheart. Dominique Thorne stars as a young genius inventor, Riri Williams, who creates the most advanced suit of armour since Tony Stark himself. In the comics, Riri suited up with her own Iron Man-like armour, fighting alongside other young superheroes like Ms. Marvel as part of the Champions. 

Armor Wars

Tony Stark is dead, which means that he can’t keep his advanced technology from falling into the wrong hands anymore. This Disney+ series follows Don Cheadle’s James Rhodes, AKA War Machine, who must face the consequences of his best friend’s death. Could we see Sam Rockwell’s Justin Hammer return from Iron Man 2, as well? Who knows. 

The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special

In the most on-brand thing to happen to this band of intergalactic misfits, Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax, Rocket Raccoon and Groot will return to engage in some, “spirited shenanigans,” in this special created for Disney+. James Gunn returns to write and direct the holiday special, which will come out in the 2022 holiday season - before Guardians of the Galaxy 3 hits theaters in 2023. Don’t forget - these weirdos also starred in a music video with David Hasselhoff. 

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

Ant-Man 3 gets a title! This threequel will see Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas and Michelle Pfeiffer reprise their roles as Scott Lang, Hope van Dyne, Hank Pym and Janet Van Dyne, respectively. Kathryn Newton also joins the cast as a grown-up version of Cassie Lang, Scott’s daughter. In an exciting twist, Jonathan Majors will also play Kang the Conqueror - a multiverse-obsessed villain. Peyton Reed returns to direct. 

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

We got new information on the Sorcerer Supreme’s next adventure! Rachel McAdams will reprise her role of Dr. Christine Palmer from the first movie, with Benedict Wong and Chiwetel Eijofor also returning as Wong and Mordo. Xochitl Gomez will join the cast as America Chavez, AKA Marvel Comics’ universe-hopping superhero Miss America. The movie will also act as a direct followup to WandaVision, with Elizabeth Olsen also joining the cast as Scarlet Witch. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige even confirmed that Spider-Man 3 would tie into the movie - which makes sense, considering that the movie is rumoured to see multiple Spider-Men return, including Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield.

Multiverse shenanigans! The movie will hit theaters on March 25, 2022, directed by Sam Raimi. 

Fantastic Four

It’s happening! Marvel’s First Family - Mister Fantastic, the Invisible Woman, the Human Torch and the Thing - will soon hit the big screen in a movie of their own, set in the MCU! Spider-Man: Far From Home director Jon Watts is slated to direct, but not much else is known about this film for now. Hopefully they won’t all be teenagers this time. 

Black Panther 2

After Chadwick Boseman’s tragic passing earlier this year, Marvel Studios has confirmed that they will not be recasting his role as King T’Challa. Instead, the Black Panther sequel will explore the fascinating world of Wakanda and the characters introduced in the first film. Ryan Coogler will return to write and direct the movie, which hits theaters on July 8, 2022. 

In other news, Disney also announced ‘I Am Groot’, a series of shorts featuring everyone’s favourite baby tree coming to Disney+. Marvel Studios also announced the casting of Christian Bale (!) as Gorr the God Butcher in Thor: Love and Thunder. 

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You thought I was done? You’re cute, but Disney had so much more to announce. Skip to the next page for content from Pixar, Disney Animation and… the Alien universe?!

Raya and the Last Dragon

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Disney’s Southeast Asian-themed fantasy film was originally slated to release in March 2021 on the big screen, but plans have changed. Much like Mulan, the movie will instead debut on Disney+ on March 5, 2021 at a premium price. 

Alien

Yep, this is happening! A new Alien series is in development for FX on Hulu’s streaming service. Noah Hawley, creator of Fargo and Legion, will helm the series while Alien creator Ridley Scott is in talks to executive produce. The series will supposedly mix in, “both the timeless horror of the first Alien film with the non-stop action of the second.”

FX also claims that this will be the first Alien story to be set on Earth, and I can’t blame them for forgetting about the atrocious Alien vs. Predator movies. 

Disney Animation has a lot going on

Four movies from Disney Animation will live on in TV shows. First up is Baymax, focusing on the friendly robot from Big Hero 6. Another series called Zootopia+ will focus on the titular movie’s more eccentric characters - like the infamous DMV sloth and dancing tigers. The Princess and the Frog is getting a direct continuation in Tiana, which follows the character as she deals with her new princessly duties. Moana will explore the mythology of the Pacific Islands, as seen in the gorgeous movie. 

Tiana, Baymax and Zootopia+ will launch in 2022. Moana on the other hand, will release in 2023. Pan-African entertainment company Kugali will also team up with Disney Animation to create a new sci-fi series in 2022: Iwaju. Disney Animation’s 60th film was also revealed: Encanto, a movie set in Colombia where a magical family live in a magical home. It features music written by the incredible Lin-Manuel Miranda!

Pixar is getting the same treatment

When Soul debuts on Disney+ on Christmas Day this year, Pixar will also release its latest short, ‘Burrow’. Then in 2021, a series called Dug Days will explore the adventures of Up’s lovable golden retriever as he explores suburbia. Cars’ Lightning McQueen and Mater will return in 2022 for a road trip across the country. In 2023, Win or Lose will debut as a totally original series focusing on a middle school co-ed softball team, with each episode focusing on a different character’s perspective leading up to the same events. 

In June 2021, Pixar will release Luca - a celebration of the friendship between a boy named Luca and his best friend Alberto. The director of award-winning short Bao, Domee Shi will also helm Turning Red on March 11, 2022. The movie follows a teenager named Mei, who transforms into a giant red panda whenever she gets too excited. And finally...

To infinity and beyond!

Chris Evans plays Buzz Lightyear! Lightyear actually has more to do with 2000’s Buzz Lightyear series than the Toy Story movies, as it explores the character’s lore - rather than the Tim Allen-voiced toy based on that lore. This origin story will portray Buzz as a young rookie Space Ranger, coming to theaters on June 17, 2022. 

Remakes on remakes on remakes

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Disney’s previously-announced The Little Mermaid and The Lion King 2 will hit theaters, but a couple other Disney remakes are coming to Disney+ instead. Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers will be directed by Akiva Schaffer, starring John Mulaney as Chip and Andy Samberg as Dale. A live-action remake of Pinocchio starring Tom Hanks and directed by Robert Zemeckis is also coming soon. Peter Pan & Wendy will also hit the streaming service, starring Jude Law as Captain Hook and Yara Shahidi as Tinker Bell. 

Sequels on sequels on sequels

A sequel to Disney’s modern classic Enchanted is in the works, with Amy Adams returning to play Giselle! If Patrick Dempsey and James Marsden don’t return, we riot. Whoopi Goldberg also returns for Sister Act 3, and the 1993 horror classic Hocus Pocus is getting a sequel too. An animated film based on the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books is coming in 2021, as well as a ‘reimagining’ of Cheaper by the Dozen starring Gabrielle Union in 2022. 

Finally, two more animated movies are coming from 20th Century Studios: the Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild starring Simon Pegg in 2021, and an animated installment of Night at the Museum in 2022. 

Is it… is it over?

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The House of Mouse has swallowed up multiple companies and brands at this point, which means that it has a jaw-dropping amount of content in the works for the next few years. An increased focus on Disney+ content means that we’re seeing a lot of movies pivot away from the big screens to our living rooms, and more long-form stories set in existing universes like Star Wars and Marvel. 

If you’re on Disney+, prepare to be very happy with your subscription for the next few years!

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