The Marvel Cinematic Universe has been slowing down its release slate for a good reason, but the new pacing brings its own risks. After Phases 4 and 5 garnered mixed reviews, Marvel Studios announced they would be scaling back on their MCU release schedule. The studio is now opting to focus on quality over quantity, a decision that has been generally well-received after audiences have become fatigued with the number of mediocre MCU movie and TV releases. However, the cons of the MCU’s newest release plan are starting to come to light.

The MCU’s Blade reboot has lost its director for the second time since the project was announced five years ago, while the Shang-Chi sequel has yet to be officially confirmed three years after the first film’s premiere. These are just two of the MCU’s upcoming projects that have had very minimal production updates. Although the lengthy production period could be an indicator of Marvel taking their time to perfect the films, the lack of information regarding these projects will just cause the casual MCU fan to lose patience and interest.

Marvel’s Slower Upcoming Release Schedule Makes Every MCU Movie & Show Slot More Valuable

With only a limited number of MCU projects releasing each year, Marvel has to be selective with what gets made. That means that every movie and show slot has become much more valuable. Some existing MCU storylines may warrant a sequel, but Marvel will have to prioritize projects that are likely to achieve the most success. Lengthy production on certain MCU projects will only be tolerated by fans for so long until they start to lose interest altogether. It’s not that fans are demanding these projects come out quickly, but the lack of production updates is losing people’s attention.

The Blade reboot is unlikely to be scrapped from the MCU’s slate. However, Blade’s troubled production just means that the film has to make the most of its coveted Phase 6 slot. Fans have been patiently awaiting substantial updates on the film to no avail. This is also the case for Shang-Chi and Eternals, two projects that have been released for a few years with no follow-up on sequels. Because of the new release strategy, risky MCU ideas are sharing a questionable fate as the studio may not want to gamble on their uncertain success.

How The MCU Can Avoid Its New Release Plan Making Flops Even Worse

Fans won’t have the same tolerance for lackluster content as before, since it’d mean that Marvel’s new release plan was for naught. The MCU can avoid flops by cracking down on what gets released, such as creating sequels for projects that are proven successes. While Marvel still has to ensure that they’re releasing a range of projects to keep things interesting, risky MCU projects like an Eternals sequel or a continuation of The Marvels might have to get the short end of the stick. A lack of production updates on a project ultimately might just be a sign.

The MCU’s new release plan is meant to improve project quality, but the reduced schedule may potentially do more harm than good. The long-awaited Blade reboot is having a troubled production timeline, and sequels for Shang-Chi and Eternals are still up in the air years after they initially premiered. With the MCU reduced down to only a select few movies and shows per year, it puts a lot more pressure on Marvel to make the right decisions. Each slot in the MCU lineup is incredibly valuable, making the studio’s riskiest ideas an even bigger gamble than before.