Hold on to your capes, Marvel fans! It seems Agatha’s wicked plans have caused a ripple effect, leading to a series of unfortunate delays in Marvel Studios’ Disney+ lineup.
The highly anticipated spinoff, Agatha: Darkhold Diaries—formerly known as Agatha: Cauldron of Chaos—has experienced a release date shift, pushing it all the way to early fall 2024, as confirmed by EW.
Led by the incomparable Kathryn Hahn, this WandaVision offshoot delves deep into the nefarious exploits of the infamous witch, Agatha Harkness. Initially set to premiere at the end of this year on Disney+, the postponement aims to add an eerie touch to the weeks leading up to Halloween next year. Patti LuPone and Aubrey Plaza are slated to join the cast, intensifying the anticipation even further. Unfortunately, this means a prolonged wait for Sparky’s long-overdue vindication.
But that’s not all; several other Marvel shows are caught in the delay web. Season 2 of the animated sensation, What If…?, originally planned for early 2023, has now been rescheduled to drop in December. Brace yourself for mind-bending alternate realities arriving just in time for the festive season. As for X-Men ’97, the nostalgic update of the beloved ’90s animated series, its release window has shifted from fall 2023 to early 2024, ensuring a dose of mutant magic in the new year.
Thankfully, the Hawkeye spinoff Echo has encountered a relatively minor setback. Rather than its initially scheduled release on November 29, viewers can now expect the episodes sometime in January 2024. Alaqua Cox takes on the remarkable role of the deaf Native American superhero, introduced in the 2021 miniseries starring Jeremy Renner and Hailee Steinfeld.
Amidst these delays, there is a glimmer of hope. The highly anticipated second season of Loki, spearheaded by Tom Hiddleston’s captivating performance, remains steadfast in its release date. Mark your calendars, because the mischievous adventures will return on October 6, as planned.
While Marvel Studios executives are mindful of spacing out their releases to avoid overwhelming audiences, the revised premiere dates can also be attributed to the ongoing Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA strikes. In these turbulent times, writers and actors have taken to the picket lines, passionately advocating for enhanced compensation and safeguards against the encroachment of AI technology in the industry. Consequently, the strike has disrupted various projects, forcing SAG members to abstain from promoting any major studio offerings during their hiatus.
To bring about a resolution, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) must reach agreeable terms with SAG-AFTRA and the WGA. Among the demands are regulations on AI technology and a more equitable distribution of residual payments for streaming shows, highlighting the industry’s pressing need for fair treatment.
The Hollywood Reporter first unveiled the revised Marvel release dates, signaling a bumpy road ahead for our superhero-infused entertainment.