Overview

• Insiders report that Disney has officially shelved political and social commentary as the primary focus of MCU Phase 6 in response to fan backlash and box office declines.
• Under the leadership of Bob Iger and Kevin Feige, the studio will scale back the number of annual film and TV releases to ensure each project advances the overarching saga.
• Recent Phase 5 successes such as Thunderbolts and Deadpool & Wolverine demonstrated the appeal of balancing legacy characters with fresh humor and action.
• Critics and audiences alike criticized titles like Secret Invasion, Quantumania and Ironheart for feeling disjointed or overly politicized, contributing to audience fatigue.
• Robert Downey Jr.’s forthcoming involvement marks a deliberate nod to the MCU’s roots and underscores Disney’s strategy to prioritize established hero arcs.