With Avengers: Doomsday now scheduled for December 18, 2026 and Avengers: Secret Wars delayed to December 17, 2027, MCU fans are left speculating about the untitled Marvel film originally slated for July 23, 2027.
If Marvel still plans a release for this date, it would become the sole MCU offering between the two Avengers films, as Spider-Man: Brand New Day now claims the July 31, 2026 slot.
Naturally, fans have proposed numerous theories about what might fill this vacancy. "I believe Doctor Strange 3 is the most probable candidate," one fan commented on a recent Reddit discussion in r/MarvelStudiosSpoilers. "Though I think there's a slight chance it could introduce the MCU's X-Men, depending on the fate of the Fox X-Men characters in Doomsday."
Many enthusiasts appear to favor a new Doctor Strange installment as the leading possibility. "Probably Doctor Strange 3 in my opinion. (Personally, I'd prefer Shang-Chi 2)," one user posted on X/Twitter, while another speculated: "I'm hoping Doctor Strange III will adapt World War Hulk." That would certainly be exciting, though perhaps not the most likely scenario.
"Doctor Strange 3 seems the most realistic option for the Marvel movie scheduled between Doomsday and Secret Wars. Blade has clearly been postponed until after Secret Wars," another fan commented on Reddit – though one respondent strongly disagreed. "Actually, the most realistic choice is Black Panther 3, a project both Marvel and Coogler have publicly discussed developing," they wrote in a reply, referencing the potential sequel. "It should be his next film."
This user wasn't alone in feeling that Black Panther 3 was being overlooked in these discussions – a reasonable perspective, especially following the success of Sinners. "It's strange how everyone is talking about Doctor Strange 3, a film without a confirmed director that nobody has officially mentioned," a Reddit commenter observed. "Meanwhile, Black Panther 3 is clearly in development."
Indeed, several fans considered Black Panther 3 a strong contender. "It seems much further along in pre-production than any other potential project," one Redditor noted about the film. "My guess is it'll either be Black Panther 3 or, as a less likely alternative, Doctor Strange 3."
"I suspect Black Panther 3 could very well be the 2027 release," another Redditor asserted. "When Nate Moore announced his departure from Marvel, he stated he would produce Black Panther 3 before fully exiting, and Denzel Washington mentioned they had written a role for him before anyone even knew the movie was in development."
However, another user pointed out that the timeline doesn't quite align – and that production schedules might shift following Moore's actual departure. "Nate Moore has already left Marvel Studios, actually. He's even been cast in the next season of Survivor," the fan clarified. "He indicated he would return to produce Black Panther 3, not that he would remain until the film's release."
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Other fans remain convinced that the long-awaited MCU Blade reboot might finally materialize, despite recent shelving despite Mahershala Ali's involvement since 2019. "I suspect Blade was filmed in secret," one user suggested, while another pondered, "Could it possibly be Blade? Just a thought."
Nevertheless, someone raised a valid counterpoint: "Whatever film occupies this slot between Doomsday and Secret Wars will likely serve to enhance the overarching narrative of those two events. I don't believe Blade is – or should be – that connecting film."
"I'd like to say Blade, but that definitely won't happen," another X/Twitter user considered before proposing a deeper cut for the 2027 slot. "Perhaps a Young Avengers or Champions movie (though that would more likely be a series, but I can still hope)." Another Redditor offered a more unconventional idea for the vacant spot. "How about a Midnight Sons team-up movie," they proposed, "led by Blade and introducing Ghost Rider, set within Battleworld?"
Amusingly, some users suspect an external contender might claim the date. "Sony will likely take that slot for Spider-Man: Brand New Day," one Twitter user predicted, while another agreed, "Spider-Man: Brand New Day will simply move there. It's straightforward."
