Marvel shifts its schedule again, pushing back Doctor Strange 2 and moving up Thor 4

With all the production delays due to the current health crisis, Marvel has been forced to adjust its Phase 4 schedule again, pushing back Doctor Strange 2 and moving up Thor 4.

Blockbuster films are being delayed left and right thanks to the production standstills caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) health crisis. It’s been a challenging experience for most movie studios, but especially for Marvel Studios, as each of Marvel’s movie releases tends to lead into the next. That means Marvel’s Phase 4 films are seeing a domino effect — one that’s created numerous schedule shifts, especially as the pandemic continues.

Following Black Widow‘s delay, Marvel announced several changes to its release schedule, shifting most of the upcoming films back one slot. But as production continues to be shut down, it seems the studio has been forced to reconsider its timetable yet again.

Variety reports that Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, which was originally pushed back to a November 2021 release, has been delayed again, and will now be arriving in theaters on March 25, 2022. This is likely the result of Sony delaying Spider-Man 3, moving it from a July 2021 release date to November 2021.

With production for the Doctor Strange sequel slated to begin in June, and Spider-Man 3 intended to take place prior to Benedict Cumberbatch’s return as the Sorcerer Supreme, it’s probably no surprise Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness has been impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak yet again. It’s a slight disappointment for fans looking forward to Marvel’s Phase 4 getting underway — but there is one bit of good news to be found in Marvel’s new schedule.

It appears that, in the midst of all the delays, Thor: Love and Thunder has managed to move up a week on the MCU calendar. The film, which was scheduled to arrive on February 18, 2022, is now supposed to hit theaters on February 11 instead. If the fourth Thor installment remains in this slot, it’ll make for a solid Valentine’s Day date night. (After all, who doesn’t want to celebrate the season of love by watching Natalie Portman take up Thor’s hammer?)

Of course, given that it’s still unclear when Hollywood can resume operations, there could be more scheduling changes on the horizon at Marvel Studios. We’ll have to wait and see how Phase 4 fares — but, with any luck, this will be the last time the studio has to adjust its calendar.

Which Marvel sequel are you looking forward to more: Doctor Strange 2 or Thor 4? Tell us in the comments below!