We take a spoiler free look at the Marvel Cinematic Universe TV shows that have been released on the Disney + streaming channel thus far.
This is an exciting scoop for Marvel fans as these new exclusive Disney + shows are canon within the MCU, meaning they will immediately entwine with past movies from the previous 24 Marvel releases, and/ or, directly impact future films within the MCU.
Readers: Assemble!
We’re gonna begin our mission by exploring past, present & future shows currently being aired on Disney +.
WandaVision
9 episodes of absolute madness!
Very apt considering it sets us up for Doctor Strange 2 and the Multiverse of Madness, which Elizabeth Olsen stars alongside Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange, due for release March 2022!
In this first instalment of these Marvel TV series, Olsen resumes her role as Wanda Maximoff & we watch her grief unfold as she mourns the death of her partner Vision (Paul Bettany) following the events of Avengers Endgame.
Take this series for what it is and you will enjoy the plethora of Marvel / Original Comic book Easter eggs & previous events/ film references, as well as the nod to American sitcoms of the 50s-00s from Bewitched-I Love Lucy- Malcolm in the middle.
Personally I found this series original, refreshing & fitting to the storyline, as Wanda warps her reality & the people living within it, leaving you left questioning “what happens next”? after each episode.
The series also introduces an array of new characters that may or may not (avoiding spoilers) influence or appear in future Marvel shows/ films. This includes Kathryn Hahn who does a great job as the show’s antagonist & features some old faces in Kat Dennings (Thor) and Randall Park (Ant-Man), who also do their characters’ appearances justice.
This series truly does demonstrate Olsen & Bettanys fabulous acting range & leaves you not only questioning each episode, but also how this leaves the future of the MCU in its entirety!
Falcon & The Winter Soldier
Wow! A Marvel cop – duo adventure; a no holds barred action packed comic book take on Lethal Weapon!
Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan reprise their roles respectively, as The Falcon & The Winter Soldier unite to defeat the global supremacy of a new found freedom fighter group.
This proved to be an entertaining watch as our protagonists overcome their differences to work together against characters you may, or may not be familiar with?!
LOKI
Next up we have Tom Hiddlestone resuming his role as the God of Mischief Loki.
OK. So this is where things really heighten up, as watching this really made me scratch my head with trying to figure out where Marvel are going with this? In a good way.
The official overview read: “Loki, the God of Mischief, steps out of his brother’s shadow to embark on an adventure that takes place after the events of “Avengers: Endgame.”
Yet this gives you no insight into what unravels in this humorous and intriguing time warping adventure saga.
Hiddlestone, as ever, is brilliant in the main role of Loki and the welcome addition of Owen Wilson in the MCU works really well. The hilarious Wilson plays the role of ‘Mobius’, an agent for the TIme Variance Authority.
This forms an unlikely double act which sees both actors share comedic camaraderie throughout.
I couldn’t help but be entertained; and left endeared, by how their characters’ relationship unravelled from episode to episode.
Once again, there are comicbook easter eggs aplenty and some brilliant cameo appearances to boot.
Without going down any more roads of spoiler territory, this series truly leaves the future of the MCU, phase 5 and beyond, wide open.
What If?
The Wikipedia overview reads:
“What If…? is an upcoming American animated anthology series created by A.C. Bradley for the streaming service Disney+, based on the Marvel Comics series of the same name. It explores what would happen if major moments from the films of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) occurred differently.”
Narrated by Jeffrey Wright as The Watcher, the actors who play the characters in the original movies embody the animated versions of themselves by voicing their characters in this series.
This is a great touch, made even more poignant by the brilliant Chadwick Boseman, who voiced the character of a Star-Lord version of his beloved character Black Panther, prior to his sad passing in 2020.
You can also expect voice appearances of Josh Brolin, Chris Hemsworth, Samuel L Jackson, Mark Ruffalo to name a few!
Marvel Zombies has also been mooted in this animation!
Has so far proved a fun watch to fill the gap prior to Hawkeye, due for release in late 2021/ 2022.
Hawkeye, Ms Marvel, She-Hulk and some…..!
In this article we have focussed on the releases from this year but according to an article by Devan Coggan on Entertainment Weekly, these are the upcoming shows due for release from 2022:
- She -Hulk stars Tatiana Maslany as Bruce Banner’s cousin!
- Moon Knight with Star Wars Oscar Issac apparently in talks to play Marc Spector aka Moon Knight.
- Ms. Marvel starring newcomer Iman Vellani as Kamala Khan aka Ms Marvel.
- Secret Invasion starring Samuel L Jackson reprising his role as Nick Fury!
- Armor Wars starring Don Cheadle’s James Rhodes aka War Machine
- Iron Heart with Dominique Thorne starring as Riri Williams
- I am Groot! Baby Groot returns in a new series of shorts for Disney +.
So there is lots to look forward to for us Marvel fans and Geek Dads out there!
How these TV shows will impact the MCU and their upcoming movies, is an intriguing & exciting prospect.
If these shows can all maintain the early entertainment and adventure levels set by these initial releases, then we should be in for a real treat, with lots of new characters being introduced to the franchise along the way!
What have you enjoyed most about these shows so far?
What have you not liked so much?
Where do you think Kevin Fiege is going to take us within the Marvel Cinematic Universe and what do you want to see happen?
Fellow Marvel Dad Fans – Assemble!
Let’s get talking!
BY SHANE @DMT
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