Why Marvel Is Continuously Releasing Movies Amid the Pandemic

There is a common misconception that Marvel has ceased its movie production efforts due to the ongoing global pandemic. However, nothing could be further from the truth. As of June 2022, the fifth installment of Phase Four, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, is barely over a month old, and the next one, Thor: Love and Thunder, has less than a month until its release. Furthermore, there are five more films in various stages of production, set for release in 2022 and 2023, with plans already underway for Phase Five beyond those dates.

Continuous Movie Production by Marvel

Much has been made of the fact that, in 2020, Marvel produced several films, including Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Eternals, Spider-Man: No Way Home, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. It also engaged in extensive development and pre-production for numerous other films. However, the reality is that Marvel did not release any films in 2020 due to the global outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to the closure of many theaters worldwide for most of the year. Mere mention of this event in the news should have been enough to clarify the situation.

The Impact of the Pandemic on Movie Releases

The COVID-19 pandemic had a substantial impact on the film industry, and Marvel, like many other studios, had to make significant adjustments to its production schedule. The pandemic closed numerous theaters, leading to a 2020 release of Black Widow being postponed to 2021. The safety of cast, crew, and employees was of paramount importance, and it wasn’t feasible to bring together large production teams in a safe manner. Additionally, the delay in the release of completed films meant that Marvel would have a massive backlog once theaters reopened, which could have disrupted future plans.

Marvel’s Wise Decision

Mirroring the decision of many other production studios, Marvel made a wise choice to push the release dates of their films back. It has been estimated that the delay was at least a year, and possibly an additional six to nine months. This strategic delay allowed Marvel to prepare for a safer, more stable environment and to ensure that they had not accumulated a large number of unreleased films that could have disrupted their production plans in the long run.

Conclusion

Despite the widespread misinformation, Marvel has not ceased its movie production efforts. The recent and upcoming releases of Phase Four, as well as the plans for Phase Five, clearly demonstrate that Marvel remains committed to its film production. The pandemic had a significant impact on the film industry, and Marvel made prudent decisions to ensure the safety of all involved and to maintain the integrity of their production plans. As the world continues to navigate the challenges posed by the pandemic, Marvel’s adherence to producing and releasing high-quality films remains a testament to their foresight and flexibility.