August 23 2023 Marvel

Today is WandaVision day mainly because of one small shot in the pilot episode, but it’s enough to get us talking about one of the most interesting entries in the Marvel canon. When WandaVision premiered this January, I was ecstatic because I got to see my favorite Marvel lady and the strongest Avenger finally have her time to shine. Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) had always been a second thought throughout the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and now that she was starring in her own show, I knew that my girl would finally get the storylines she deserved.

And I wasn’t wrong. What I was wrong about was hating that Vision was a huge part of it. I didn’t really get the Wanda/Vision relationship in the MCU, and I didn’t want Wanda’s first outing to be tied to a man. Luckily, Jac Schaeffer mastered the art of balancing Wanda and Vision’s love story with Wanda’s own exploration of grief, and it gave me one of the most beautiful looks into a character’s psyche I’ve ever witnessed. And so today, on the day when Wanda and Vision both forgot they had dinner plans, we get to celebrate honestly one of my favorite things Marvel has ever done.

Wanda Maximoff and Vision were standing in their kitchen, and on their calendar sat a big heart on August 23.

We never really know the reasoning behind the significance of that date past it being when Wanda and Vision are hosting dinner for his boss and kicking off the theme of hearts throughout the series. But that heart would come back to eventually tear our own hearts in two. By the end of the series, it is revealed that Vision bought Wanda this plot of land in New Jersey with a note that says “To grow old in. V.”

And even though August 23 isn’t really that important in the grand scheme of Wanda’s journey (even if there are some theories as to why that particular date), it is a good day to look back at this show and Wanda as a character. I knew Wanda before the MCU, but I fell in love with her completely during the first sequence of Captain America: Civil War.

I loved the Maximoff twins in Avengers: Age of Ultron, but when Wanda’s chipped nails came into focus when they were dealing with Rumlow, I knew I’d go down in a fight to protect Wanda Maximoff. So, getting to see her explore her grief, understand the pain that she’s pushed aside throughout the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe, to find some sort of inner peace for even just a brief moment? It felt great as her fan, and so today, I’ll probably watch WandaVision and cry about the emotional journey my girl went on to take care of herself and how this show, more than any other, gave me a look at how to cope through my own personal grief.

So, thank you, WandaVision.

(images: Marvel Entertainment)

Want more stories like this? Become a subscriber and support the site!  

 —The Mary Sue has a strict comment policy that forbids, but is not limited to, personal insults toward anyone, hate speech, and trolling.—

Have a tip we should know? [email protected]

If you're wondering what's next for Marvel, you're not alone. Phase 4 wraps with Black: Panther: Wakanda Forever, and we're eagerly anticipating the next steps of one of our favorite movie franchises. To help Marvel fans stay organized and up-to-date, we've made a list of all upcoming Marvel Studios feature film releases.

This list includes films within the MCU, like the Guardians of the Galaxy sequels, Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Sony/MCU crossovers like Spider-Man. We're chronologically covering films from Phase 5 and beyond.

Here is every upcoming Marvel movie.

Related: Marvel Trivia Questions and Answers

All Upcoming Marvel Movies and Release Dates

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (Release Date: Feb. 17, 2023)

Paul Ruddand Evangeline Lillyreturn for the sequel to 2019's low-key hit Ant-Man and the Wasp. Once again helmed by Peyton Reed, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumaniasees Freaky star Kathryn Newtonjoin the MCU and will be set after the game-changing events of Avengers: Endgame.

Evangeline Lilly as the Wasp and Paul Rudd as Ant-Man

Marvel Studios/Disney

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (May 5, 2023)

Plagued with production issues in light of the firing and re-hiring of James Gunn, Guardians 3 is likely to see Chris Pratt's Star-Lord pursue his lady love Gamora (Zoe Saldana), who's now from a different timeline, with no memory of the wisecracking rogue hero's charms and virtues. Not much is known about the story, save that Rocket Raccoon (voiced by Bradley Cooper) will be much of the film's focus.

Marvel's "Guardians of the Galaxy"

Marvel Studios

The Marvels (Release Date: July 28, 2023) 

Brie Larson returns alongside Ms. Marvelstar Iman Vellani, WandaVisionstar Teyonah Parris and Candyman director Nia DaCosta in the follow-up to the original that made over $1 billion worldwide—but was underwhelming to many fans.

Brie Larson as Carol Danvers in "Captain Marvel" (2019)

Marvel Studios

Related: How to Watch Every Marvel Movie In Order of Story

Madame Web (Release: Oct. 6, 2023)

Technically a Sony movie, but about Marvel characters, Madame Web stars Dakota Johnson, likely as the Julia Carpenter incarnation of the character based on the red leather jacket she was spotted wearing during filming. Sydney Sweeney, Mike Epps, Adam Scottand Emma Robertsare also slated to appear in the film in as-yet-undisclosed roles.

Captain America: New World Order (Release Date: May 3, 2024)

In the immediate wake of Disney+'s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Marvel announced a feature film centered on Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) and his Captain America's role in the world post-Blip. Limited details are available at this time, though expectations are high.

Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson/Captain America

Marvel Studios

Thunderbolts (Release Date: July 26, 2024)

Thunderbolts hits theaters on July 26, 2024. Little is known about the project so far, but in the comics, the Thunderbolts can be compared to DC's Suicide Squad: A group of antiheroes, villains and morally ambiguous characters working together for the greater good.

Marvel's Thunderbolts will star Florence Pughas Yelena Belova, Sebastian Stanas Bucky Barnes/The Winter Soldier, Daniel Brühlas Baron Zemo, David Harbouras Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian, Hannah John-Kamenas Ava Starr/Ghost, Olga Kurylenko as Antonia Dreykov/Taskmaster, Wyatt Russellas John Walker/U.S. Agent, Julia Louis-Dreyfusas Valentina Allegra de Fontaine and Harrison Fordas Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross, taking over the role from the deceased William Hurt.

Related: Every MCU Movie So Far, Ranked

Blade (Release Date: Sept. 6, 2024)

"Blade" star Mahershala Ali and Kevin Feige attend Marvel Studios Panel during 2019 Comic-Con International at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2019.

Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images

Maybe the coolest news to come out of San Diego Comic-Con 2019 was Marvel president Kevin Feige's introduction of two-time Oscar winner Mahershala Ali as comics' badass vampire hunter, a role originally made famous by Wesley Snipes. At SDCC 2022, it was revealed that Blade will have a Nov. 3, 2023, release, but the film lost its director and has been delayed to Sept. 6, 2024.

Deadpool 3 (Release Date: Nov. 8, 2024)

Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool

Marvel

Not a lot is known about the next movie of the Merc with a Mouth, but we do know that Hugh Jackmanwill return as Wolverine. Shawn Levywill direct Deadpool 3, and Bob's Burgersco-creators Wendy Molyneux and Lizzie Molyneux-Logelin are credited as co-writers with Deadpool and Deadpool 2 veterans Ryan Reynolds, Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick.

Related: Director and Writer James Mangold Shares Insight Into His Film Logan

Reynolds promised that Deadpool 3 will preserve the legacy of Wolverine's Logan, noting, "We’ve figured out a way to do it that’s Hugh Jackman-approved and Kevin Feige-approved where we’re completely protecting the legacy of Logan the way it was left off. I wouldn’t mess with that. I’m really excited. I’m lucky that I get to work in this industry, particularly incredibly fortunate that I get to work in it this long but I really want to work with that are either immensely talented or people that I love that I’m genuinely best friends with."

Hugh Jackman as Wolverine in "Logan"

20th Century Studios

He added jokingly, "Unfortunately, Hugh does not qualify as either of those. But I am excited because I’m a Logan fan."

Here, the duo give us a hint of what to expect ... maybe.

The first two Deadpool films are among the highest-grossing R-rated movies ever. Some fans were concerned the character would be muted down to PG-13 under Marvel, but Reynolds assured fans that it would likely keep its potty-mouth for Deadpool 3 because he's so involved in the entire process.

Related: How to Watch the X-MenMovies In Order of Story

Fantastic Four (Release Date: Feb. 14, 2025)

No casting for Fantastic Four has been announced yet, though Marvel fans got their dream fan-casting of John Krasinskias Reed Richards in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

John Krasinski as Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic of the "Fantastic Four" in "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness"

Marvel Studios/Disney

It's unclear if he'll reprise the role or if his Dr. Fantastic will forever be relegated to a different universe. Other Reed Richards casting rumors have persisted of Penn Badgleyplaying the F4 leader, but nothing has been substantiated yet.

Avengers: The Kang Dynasty (Release Date: May 2, 2025)

Jonathan Majors as Kang the Conqueror in "Loki" Season 1. He will reprise the role in "Avengers: Kang Dynasty."

Marvel Studios/Disney

Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors) will clearly play a major role in this Avengers film, the penultimate entry in Marvel's Phase 6 slate. Fans first got to know him as He Who Remains in LokiSeason 1.

Avengers: Secret Wars (Release Date: May 1, 2026)

Avengers: Secret Wars will close out the MCU's sixth phase, though obviously details are being kept strictly under wraps for now.

Related: What to Know About Marvel's Phase 5

Spider-Man 4 (Release Date: TBA) 

On Dec. 17, 2021—the day Spider-Man: No Way Home premiered in theaters—Feige announced that Marvel and Sony were developing a fourth Spider-Man film, though no further details have been announced. No Way Home has since become one of the highest-grossing movies ever made, with over $1.8 in worldwide box-office earnings.

Shang-Chi 2 (Release Date: TBA)

In 2021, long-delayed Black Widow underwhelmed with an uneasy blend of strong performances and character work—and loud, bland, weightlessly bombastic action sequences. Then, Shang-Chi brought the MCU back full-blast as director Destin Daniel Cretton seamlessly lept from small-scale dramatic work (Short Term 12 and Just Mercy) to heartfelt martial-arts epic. Little is known about the sequel to the critical and commercial hit, though it has been announced.

We'll keep you updated on all further Marvel movie announcements.

Love superhero movies? Check out our ranking of the best superhero movies ever.

Why is August 23rd important Marvel?

What Marvel stuff is coming out in 2023?

Are any Marvel movies coming out in 2023?

What does the 23 mean in WandaVision?