List of unproduced Marvel Cinematic Universe projects

In May 2000, Artisan Entertainment announced a deal with Marvel to co-produce, finance, and distribute a film based on the character Ant-Man.[1] In 2003, Edgar Wright and his writing partner Joe Cornish wrote a treatment for Artisan, with Wright explaining that it revolved around Scott Lang as a burglar "so he could have gone slightly in the Elmore Leonard route", though Artisan wanted the film to be "like a family thing". However, Wright believed that the treatment was never sent to Marvel.[2] A year later, the duo pitched the film to Marvel Studios' then head of production, Kevin Feige.[3] In April 2006, Marvel Studios hired Wright to direct and co-write Ant-Man with Cornish as part of the company's first slate of independently produced films. Wright would also co-produce the film with his Big Talk Productions partner Nira Park.[4] At the 2006 San Diego Comic-Con International, Wright said he was intrigued by the story's high concept and character. Wright also stressed that the film would not be a spoof but an action-adventure with some comedic elements and would incorporate both the Hank Pym and Scott Lang incarnations of the character.[5] The next February, Wright said that the project was in "a holding pattern" while the script was being revised,[6] and that he had been doing research for the film by studying nanotechnology.[7] In March 2008, Wright said that the first draft of the script had been completed and he was working on the second.[8]

Stan Lee tweeted in February 2010 that Marvel was prepping the film and that he met with Wright for lunch to discuss the character.[9] Wright noted that there was no timetable for the film because Marvel did not consider the character to be one of their bigger, tentpole properties, so "It's more like me and Kevin Feige saying...'Let's make a good script that works, that's all about a great genre film, and that isn't necessarily relying on anything else'".[10] At the 2010 San Diego Comic-Con International, Wright remarked that because his film would be an origin story and would not be released until after The Avengers (2012), which would not include Ant-Man, although Wright acknowledged that the character might appear in future Avengers films.[11] In January 2011, Wright stated that he had resumed writing the script for the film following the conclusion of the international promotion for Scott Pilgrim vs. the World,[12] and by April he and Cornish delivered the second draft of Ant-Man to Marvel.[13] At the 2011 San Diego Comic-Con International, Wright revealed a third draft had been handed in.[14]

In May 2012, Feige said that the project was "as close as it's ever been" while Wright teased the film by tweeting a pictogram of Ant-Man,[15] and stated in January 2013 that Ant-Man would be part of Phase Three of the Marvel Cinematic Universe,[16] indicating in May that the screenplay needed to be modified in order to fit into the universe, as the project had been in development before Iron Man (2008). Wright described Ant-Man as a stand-alone film but said it would fit into the larger continuity of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, explaining, "I like to make it standalone because I think the premise of it needs time. I want to put the crazy premise of it into a real world, which is why I think Iron Man really works because it's a relatively simple universe; it's relatable. I definitely want to go into finding a streamlined format where you use the origin format to introduce the main character and further adventures can bring other people into it."[17]

On May 23, 2014, Marvel and Wright jointly announced that Wright was leaving the project due to "differences in their vision of the film", and that the studio was closing in on a new director.[18] On the split, Wright said, "I wanted to make a Marvel movie but I don't think they really wanted to make an Edgar Wright movie." He also added that at one point, Marvel wanted to do a draft of the script without him, which was "a tough thing to move forward" as Wright has written all of the previous films he directed. Wright continued, "Suddenly becoming a director-for-hire on it, you're sort of less emotionally invested and you start to wonder why you're there, really."[19] The majority of Wright's crew also left the project in the wake of his departure.[19][20] By May 30, Adam McKay had entered negotiations to replace Wright,[21] but he pulled out of negotiations the next day out of respect for Wright, who he was friends with.[22][23] On June 7, Marvel announced that Peyton Reed would direct the film, with McKay contributing to the film's script;[24] McKay felt this was the perfect result since he would not be replacing Wright, but was able to help Rudd, who he was also friends with.[25]

McKay confirmed that Rudd helped him rewrite the script, calling Rudd "great with dialogue", adding "the two of us holed up in hotel rooms on the east and west coast, and I think it was like six to eight weeks we just ground it out and did a giant rewrite of the script. I was really proud of what we did, I really thought we put some amazing stuff in there and built on an already strong script from Edgar Wright and sort of just enhanced some stuff."[26] Rudd elaborated, "The idea, the trajectory, the goal, and the blueprint of it all, is really Edgar and Joe. It's their story. We changed some scenes, we added new sequences, we changed some characters, we added new characters. If you took the two scripts and held them up together they'd be very different—but the idea is all theirs."[27] Some additions to the film that had not been featured in Wright's version included Janet van Dyne, the quantum realm, and a fight with an Avenger.[28][23][29] According to Reed, the quantum realm was the MCU's version of the microverse,[30] which could not be called that due to legal reasons. The alternate name was suggested by consultant Spiros Michalakis, a quantum physicist and staff researcher at the California Institute of Technology, to "inject elements of modern physics into the script".[31] Reed also offered contributions to the revised script, as did Lilly and Stoll, who contributed ideas to help flesh out their respective characters. Lilly's character received a fuller arc and more action sequences as a result.[32] One of the important things when joining the film for Reed was emphasizing both Hope and Janet van Dyne more, given the Wasp being "a crucial part" of the Ant-Man comics.[33] For their efforts, McKay and Rudd were credited as additional writers of the screenplay, with Wright and Cornish credited for the screenplay and story.[34] Wright also held an executive producer credit on the film.[35]

A film based on the Runaways went through a number of iterations. Brian K. Vaughan was originally hired to write a screenplay based on the property in May 2008.[36] In April 2010, Marvel hired Peter Sollett to direct the film,[37] and Drew Pearce was hired to write a script in May.[38] The following October, development on the film was put on hold,[39] with Pearce revealing in September 2013 that the Runaways film had been shelved in favor of The Avengers (2012), with the earliest it could release being Phase Three.[40] In October 2014, after announcing all of Marvel's Phase Three films without Runaways, Feige stated the project was "still an awesome script that exists in our script vault", adding, "We'd love to do something with Runaways some day. In our television and future film discussions, it's always one that we talk about, because we have a solid draft there. But again, we can't make them all."[41] In August 2016, Marvel Television announced Marvel's Runaways from the streaming service Hulu,[42] with the series receiving a full season order in May 2017.[43] It premiered in November 2017.[44] Hulu announced in November 2019 that the third season of Runaways would be its last.[45]

Of a potential sequel to The Incredible Hulk (2008), star Edward Norton said, "The whole thing was to envision it in multiple parts. We left a lot out on purpose. [The Incredible Hulk is] definitely intended as chapter one".[46] That film's director Louis Leterrier made the film's final shot of Bruce Banner ambiguous; the thought being if there is a sequel, it would mean Banner finally masters control over his anger; if there is not a sequel, the shot indicates instead that he becomes a menace in The Avengers (2012).[47] Leterrier had also intended for a scene in the credits showing Tim Roth's Emil Blonsky, human once more, imprisoned and chained in a box.[48] The character of Samuel Sterns, played by Tim Blake Nelson, was introduced to set him up as a villain in a possible future film, where he would become the Leader.[49][50] Aaron Sims, the lead designer on The Incredible Hulk, also took time to work on concepts for the Leader.[51] Nelson was "signed on" to reprise the role,[52] while Ty Burrell expressed interest in portraying the superpowered Doc Samson faithfully to the comics.[52]

Leterrier and Roth were originally contracted to return. Leterrier also stated Norton was not signed on,[53] but in October 2008, producer Gale Anne Hurd stated that Norton was contracted to reprise the role.[54] The film had outgrossed its predecessor and Universal Pictures indicated interest in a sequel,[55] though Leterrier believed a sequel would not be made because of the film's box office return.[56] Feige said the film met Marvel's expectations and that Hulk would return, but after the crossover.[57] Hurd was not concerned that a sequel may not be produced until at least 2012, citing the positive reception to the film and having produced the Terminator series, the second and third film of which had a 12-year gap.[54] Roth confirmed that Marvel had signed him for three more films.[58] Leterrier, after having previously said he did not want to direct a sequel,[59] said in late 2009 he had changed his mind and was now amenable.[60]

Mark Ruffalo (Leterrier's first choice before casting Norton[61]) began his role as Banner / Hulk in The Avengers, after Feige said he chose not to bring back Norton.[62][63] In October 2014, Norton claimed he chose never to play Hulk again because he "wanted more diversity" with his career, and did not want to be associated with only one character.[64] In April 2012, despite Ruffalo being on board to play the Hulk in the sequel, Feige confirmed to Collider that Marvel had no plans at that time to shoot another Hulk film.[65] In a Q&A session, Feige and Ruffalo confirmed that discussions were underway to produce another Hulk film due to the positive audience response to Ruffalo's performance in The Avengers.[66] In September 2012, Feige, while exploring all possible story options for a sequel film, including a film based on the "Planet Hulk" and "World War Hulk" storylines, stated, "everything [in terms of stories from the comics] is on the table. Do I think Hulk can carry a movie and be as entertaining as he was in Avengers? I do believe that. I do believe he absolutely could. We certainly are not even going to attempt that until Avengers 2. So there's a lot of time to think about it".[67]

In June 2014, Ruffalo said he believed the studio might be considering doing a new standalone Hulk film, saying, "I think they are, for the first time, entertaining the idea of it. When we did The Avengers it was basically 'No!', and now there is some consideration for it. But there's still nothing definitive, not even a skeletal version of what it would be".[68] In July, Feige stated that the studio was not considering a "Planet Hulk" film at that time, due to wanting to feature Ruffalo's Banner in the film. However, he did not rule out a story that saw the Hulk and Banner end up in space and explained why a solo Hulk film did not occur in Phase Two of the MCU by saying, "After the first Avengers, Iron Man had his own movie, Thor had his own movie, Captain America had his own movie, and Widow and Fury were in The Winter Soldier. So it was really about, frankly, saving somebody so that the only place you could get Hulk between Avengers movies is the next Avengers movie, so [director Joss Whedon] could continue to play with that in [Avengers: Age of Ultron]. Where we go after that, we'll see".[69] In October 2014, again on a solo film, Feige said, "We'll see. We'd love to do it, we'd love to find the place to put it, but right now, Hulk will be appearing, with his friends, in their [Phase Three] films".[41]

In April 2015, Ruffalo said Universal holding the distribution rights to Hulk films may be an obstacle to releasing a future Hulk standalone film[70] and reiterated this in October 2015[71] and July 2017.[72] Marvel regained the film production rights for the character since February 2006,[73] but Universal retained the distribution rights for The Incredible Hulk as well as the right of first refusal to pick up the distribution rights to each of any future Marvel-produced Hulk films.[74] According to The Hollywood Reporter, a potential reason why Marvel has not reacquired the film distribution rights to the Hulk as they did with Paramount Pictures for the Iron Man, Thor, and Captain America films is that Universal holds the theme park rights to several Marvel characters that Marvel's parent company, Disney, wants for its own theme parks.[75] In December 2015, Ruffalo stated that the strained relationship between Marvel and Universal may be another obstacle to releasing a future standalone Hulk film.[76] The following month, he indicated that the lack of a standalone Hulk film allowed the character to play a more prominent role in Thor: Ragnarok (2017), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), and Avengers: Endgame (2019), stating, "We’ve worked a really interesting arc into Thor[: Ragnarok], Avengers[: Infinity War], and [Avengers: Endgame] for Banner that I think will – when it’s all added up – will feel like a Hulk movie, a standalone movie".[77]

MCU director James Gunn expressed interest in doing a film featuring both Hulk and Red Hulk, but the project never entered development due to conflicts with Universal.[78] At the 2019 D23 Expo, Marvel Studios confirmed that a series centered around Jennifer Walters / She-Hulk is in development for exclusive release on Disney+. The miniseries will revolve around Bruce Banner's cousin, who gains superpowers after receiving a blood transfusion from him.[79] By April 2020, Ruffalo was in talks to appear in She-Hulk. He also hoped a solo Hulk film could still happen, and have it centered on the character's life between his other film appearances "to fill in all the blanks about what happened to him".[80]

A film based on the Inhumans was first mentioned as being in development in a March 2011 trade report, which described the project as being "in the vein of X-Men" and "about aliens who were put on Earth as a sleeper cell to eventually call back their race to take over the planet."[81][82] In September 2011, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige mentioned that, should the film be made, it would feature an ensemble of characters, similar to X-Men and The Avengers (2012).[83] In April 2012, Feige mentioned Inhumans as a property out of which he was "confident" a film would be made.[84] By August 2014, Marvel was ready to move forward in development of an Inhumans film, with a screenplay written by Joe Robert Cole.[85] In October 2014, the film was officially announced as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Phase Three, with a release date of November 2, 2018.[86] Feige said, "We really do believe the Inhumans can be a franchise or a series of franchises unto themselves. They have dozens of powers and an amazing social structure. With our 20th movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, we wanted to continue to refine what that universe is about."[87] In December 2014, the Inhuman race was introduced to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the second season of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., with the revelation that principal character Daisy "Skye" Johnson (Chloe Bennet) is an Inhuman.[88] By a year later, Cole was no longer involved with the film and TheWrap reported that any potential drafts that he may have written would not be used.[89] Cole later stated "everyone thinks that I'm writing or have written Inhumans. There is not an Inhumans script yet".[90]

In January 2016, Clark Gregg, who portrays Phil Coulson in the MCU, stated he was hopeful "there'll be some way" for the Inhumans and continuity that appeared on the television series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. to be referenced in the film, saying "It'd be too bad if that was wasted." However, he suspected the film would "be its own cinematic version", saying the "writer and director [of the film] will have free rein to do what they want to do with the Inhumans."[91] The following month, Marvel pushed the release date to July 12, 2019.[92] In April 2016, Feige stated that he expected the film's release to be delayed once again, given the addition of Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) and Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018) to the initial Phase Three slate of films, and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures scheduling a fifth film of the Indiana Jones franchise near the July 2019 date.[93] Shortly after Feige's comments, the film was officially taken off of Marvel's release schedule, though it was not outright canceled.[94] After the removal, Feige confirmed that the film would no longer be part of Phase Three saying "we just didn't want to cram it in to an already quite full Phase Three" that had "increased in a very good way since we initially announced" in October 2014.[95] In July 2016, Feige said Inhumans would "certainly" be a part of the discussion regarding the film ideas the studio had for releases in 2020 and 2021,[96] adding the following November, "I think Inhumans will happen for sure. I don't know when. I think it's happening on television. And I think as we get into Phase 4 as I've always said, it could happen as a movie."[97] Shortly after, Marvel Television announced the series Marvel's Inhumans,[98] which was not intended to be a reworking of the film.[99] The first two episodes debuted in IMAX in September 2017,[98] to disappointing box office returns. Its run on ABC received low ratings and negative reviews, and in May 2018 the network canceled the series after one season.[100]

After working with Marvel Studios on the script for Ant-Man (2015), Adam McKay stated in December 2018 that he was willing to work with the studio again, and had discussed making an Inhumans film with Feige.[101]

Around 2012, Guillermo del Toro was in talks with Marvel Studios to make a television series titled The Hulk as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The series was intended to be aired on ABC. However, after Mark Ruffalo's acclaimed performance as the Hulk in The Avengers (2012), the project was put on hold.[102]

Ex-spies and ex-spouses Bobbi Morse and Lance Hunter are on the run trying to uncover a conspiracy against them. With no help from S.H.I.E.L.D., they enter into an uneasy partnership with rogue adventurer Dominic Fortune.[103][104]

By April 2015, Marvel was developing a spin-off series from Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. The series, which was being developed by Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. executive producer Jeffrey Bell and writer Paul Zbyszewski, would be based on storylines occurring at the end of the second season of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and would receive its own pilot rather than a backdoor pilot.[105] Adrianne Palicki and Nick Blood entered into discussions to headline the potential new series as their characters Bobbi Morse and Lance Hunter, respectively.[106] By May 7, 2015—when ABC announced their series renewals, cancellations, and new series pickups—the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. spin-off was passed on.[107] In August 2015, the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. spin-off series received new life as a reworked series, titled Marvel's Most Wanted, with a pilot order.[108] Bell and Zbyszewski once again developed the series, while also serving as co-writers of the pilot.[109] The series would still focus on Morse and Hunter, with Palicki and Blood both attached, and was described as "a new take focusing on the same duo and their continuing adventures."[108] In May 2016, the series was passed on by ABC once again.[110]

From mid-April 2015, Marvel worked with screenwriter John Ridley to craft a new television series, "reinventing" an existing Marvel character or property.[111] In January 2016, Ridley confirmed the project was in development and stated that he was looking to "bring some of the socially conscious nature" of Jessica Jones and his series American Crime to the show, while also creating something that is "straight entertainment".[112] A year later, Channing Dungey revealed that Ridley's project was still progressing, with Ridley working on a rewrite of his script.[113] Ridley added that the rewrite was not because "anything didn't work the first time around", but rather trying to make sure the series does something viewers have not necessarily seen before in a superhero television series, hoping it would occupy "a space that is not currently being filled" by Marvel. He also stated that he hoped to create the series "in the near term."[114] By August 2017, Dungey was "not sure" if Ridley was still working on the project.[115] It was confirmed to have "fizzled" in December 2019.[116]

The show follows the overworked and underpaid clean-up crew of the Marvel Cinematic Universe that specializes in dealing with the aftermath of superhero conflicts, rescheduling events because of the conflicts, and retrieving lost items.[117]

In October 2015, ABC ordered a put pilot for a half-hour live-action comedy series Marvel's Damage Control, based on the comics construction company of the same name. The series was being developed by Ben Karlin for ABC Studios and Marvel Television, with Karlin writing the script and serving as executive producer.[117][118] Then ABC Entertainment president Paul Lee wanted the series to begin airing as early as the 2016–17 television season.[119] Any development on the series was ended by December 2019.[116]

The Damage Control organization was mentioned in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,[120] before being introduced as the "Department of Damage Control" in Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) with Tyne Daly portraying head of department Anne Marie Hoag.[121]

Dungey said in May 2016 that there were "a handful of projects in development", after passing on Marvel's Most Wanted and canceling Agent Carter, and that Marvel and ABC were looking "at series that would be beneficial to both brands."[122] In January 2018, she noted that Marvel and ABC "tried a few things that haven't worked out as well as we would've liked. We developed a couple things this season that we don't think are going to end up going forward, so we're going to look really carefully about what we do next, because the idea for us is to come up with something that works very well for both Marvel and ABC, so we're going to continue to try there."[123] In August, Dungey said "we're cooking up a couple things for broadcast" in terms of potential new Marvel series on ABC, and that there was one idea in particular that she was excited to talk about.[124] In September 2018, ABC gave a production commitment to a series featuring lesser-known female superheroes, written and executive produced by Allan Heinberg. Jeph Loeb was also set to executive produce the potential series. The idea had been a "strong contender from the get-go" in terms of the new series that Marvel and ABC had been developing.[125] However, in February 2019, ABC chose not to proceed with the pilot, despite its "big" production commitment. Nellie Andreeva of Deadline Hollywood said it was "unclear" if the series would be redeveloped.[126]

In January 2016, Lee announced that ABC Studios was developing a second comedy series with Marvel after Damage Control with the hope that it would air on ABC.[119] In August 2019, ABC Entertainment president Karey Burke stated that ABC was in active discussions with Marvel regarding "one project in particular" that would be "something brand new, mostly" and be a female-focused superhero series. This project was separate from the female-focused superhero series developed for ABC by Allan Heinberg earlier in 2019.[127] Deadline Hollywood reported plans for the series had "stalled" by January 2020,[128] a month after Marvel Television announced they were no longer developing new series.[116]

Doreen Green / Squirrel Girl, Craig Hollis / Mister Immortal, Dwayne Taylor / Night Thrasher, Robbie Baldwin / Speedball, Zach Smith / Microbe, and Deborah Fields / Debrii,[129] are superpowered young people with abilities very different from the Avengers, who want to make a positive impact in the world even if they are not quite ready to be heroes.[130]

By the end of August 2016, Marvel Television and ABC Studios were developing a half-hour comedy series based on the New Warriors team and featuring Squirrel Girl.[131] In April 2017, Freeform announced a straight-to-series order for Marvel's New Warriors, with Kevin Biegel serving as the series' showrunner and writing the first script.[130][132] In July 2017, the cast was revealed with Milana Vayntrub starring as Doreen Green / Squirrel Girl and Derek Theler as Craig Hollis / Mister Immortal.[133] In November 2017, it was announced that the series would no longer air on Freeform and was being shopped to other networks, with Marvel hoping to be able to air the series in 2018.[134] The series was intended to consist of 10 episodes.[129] By September 2019, the series had been unable to find a new broadcaster and was officially considered dead.[135]

After ordering New Warriors in April 2017, Burke said Freeform was "absolutely" interested in creating spinoff series for each of the characters on the New Warriors team, in a similar fashion to Marvel's Netflix television series, explaining that the characters Marvel chose for the team "are all really singular and could each carry the show that they're on. They're bound together ... for as long as we choose with this show but it's conceptually tailor-made for spinoffs."[129] These potential spin-offs were still considered likely when Marvel began looking for a new broadcaster for New Warriors.[134] Marvel Television was no longer developing any new series in December 2019.[116]

On the Texas–Mexico border, Robbie Reyes avenges the innocent by unleashing the demonic Ghost Rider.[136]

During development on the fourth season of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Marvel suggested that the series introduce Ghost Rider,[137] after the character's film rights had returned to Marvel from Sony in May 2013.[138] The Robbie Reyes version of the character was chosen over other versions from the comics due to his family values,[139] and to help the series distance itself from Sony's Ghost Rider films that starred Nicolas Cage as the Johnny Blaze version of the character.[140] Gabriel Luna was announced to be playing Reyes at the 2016 San Diego Comic-Con.[141] A month later, Marvel Television head Jeph Loeb said the character "could venture into other sections" of the MCU, depending on the audience's response to his appearance in S.H.I.E.L.D. Luna expressed interest in reprising his role outside of the series, adding that he "signed on the line to do all the work necessary".[142] That October, Luna said there had been "rumblings" about a spin-off for the character, but reiterated that it would depend on audience response.[143]

Hulu ordered Ghost Rider to series in May 2019, with Ingrid Escajeda set as showrunner and executive producer alongside Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Paul Zbyszewski and Loeb, and Luna reprising his role.[136] Rather than being a traditional spin-off from S.H.I.E.L.D., Hulu described the series as a new story that "lives unto its own" but is about the same character.[144] The series was set to be a co-production between Marvel Television and ABC Signature Studios.[136] Escajeda was drawn to the series' conflicted characters and horror tone, and said that she would be targeting both existing fans of the property and general audiences with the series.[144] In July 2019, Loeb stated that the new series would reference Reyes's role in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.[145] That September, Hulu chose not to move forward with the project due to creative differences.[146] Luna said this news was surprising and he had been "ready to rock on the new show", but said it was "the nature of this business" and that he had "the time of [his] life" playing the character already.[147]

Jeph Loeb stated in August 2019 that there were several "Adventure into Fear" series being developed for Hulu that had not yet been announced,[148] and reiterated this in October.[149] However, Marvel Television was no longer developing new series in December 2019.[116]