Marvel Studios' Phase 4 line-up will include multiple television projects for Disney Plus, starting with the premiere of Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany’sWandaVision. Now, Kevin Feige has provided insight into episode count and runtimes of Marvel’s Disney Plus shows, includingThe Falcon and the Winter Soldier,Loki,She-Hulk,andMoon Knight.
While the fourth phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe was originally set to launch with the release ofBlack Widow, the COVID-19 pandemic prompted the studio to delay the release of the Scarlett Johansson film until May 2021. Consequently, Marvel Studios’WandaVisionwill have the honor of beginning the new era of MCU stories with thedebut of two episodes on Disney Plusin mid-January, which are expected to run at about 30 to 40 minutes each.
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As streaming projects, Marvel Studios' Disney Plus shows are not bound by the traditional time constraints of network television, which traditionally factors in commercials when determining the episode runtimes of its original programming. As such, Marvel Studios is developing its Disney Plus shows as either six hour-long episodes or nine to 10 half-hour episodes, according to Feige. “So, for instance,WandaVisionstarted that way andFalcon and the Winter Soldieras 30 minutes, but because it’s streaming, it’s Disney+, and the rules have blurred over the years, yes. Some can be 23 minutes,” Feige explained during an interview withCollider. “Some can be much longer than that. ButShe-Hulk, for instance, is being developed as 10 30-minute episodes. Some will be longer and some will be shorter.Loki,Falcon and the Winter Soldieris being developed as six 40-50-minute episodes.”
Feige added thatMarvel Studios’Moon Knight,a series centered on the cloaked crime-fighting alter-ego of Marc Spector, is currently being developed as one of the shows in the 40-50 minute episode category. Casting for the role of Moon Knight, a morally ambiguous character who traditionally struggles with multiple personalities in the comics, has yet to be announced, although reports indicate Oscar Isaac in negotiations for the part. As withShe-Hulk, which stars Tatiana Maslany in the title role, Moon Knight is not expected to premiere on Disney Plus until 2022 at the earliest.
Unlike Marvel Television’s shows, includingNetflix’sDaredevilandJessica Jones, which often only included thin references to the events and characters in the MCU films, the Disney Plus shows will tie more directly Feige’s plans for Phase 4. For instance,WandaVisionwill lay the groundwork for director Sam Raimi’sDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, in which Olsen’s Scarlet Witch will return.
Furthermore, Marvel Studios' Disney Plus shows will introduce newcomers to the MCU before they appear in the company’s feature films. Iman Vellani, for example, will follow her debut inMs. Marvelby reprising the role opposite Brie Larson in directorNia DaCosta’sCaptain Marvelsequel.
