Marvel

If you’ve been cruising social media today and you follow any comics fans, you probably caught a glimpse (or several thousand glimpses) of a #SayNotoHydraCap hashtag.

Way back in 2012 (or at least it feels way back), Netflix and Disney struck a deal for all of Disney’s movies — including Marvel, Pixar and Lucasfilm — to stream exclusively on Netflix Instant. According to the terms of their agreement, the deal wouldn’t kick in until 2016, which just so happens to be the year in which we are currently living. As announced today, Netflix will officially begin streaming Disney films in September, but that doesn’t mean the studio’s entire library will magically appear in your Instant browser.

If the cancellation of Agent Carter weren’t a sure-enough sign that Marvel TV wasn’t bulletproof, the network’s other Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. spinoff has also been put to rest. ABC has officially passed on Marvel’s Most Wanted, leaving Bobbi and Hunter’s adventures in limbo once more.

Apologies in advance to your butt because your sense of patriotic duty is about to trump any and all loyalty you may have to your own bodily comfort. Mark your calendars for May 5 (that’s this Thursday; again, sorry to your butt for the short notice), which is when Marvel will unleash the Ultimate Captain America Marathon in select theaters nationwide. The marathon includes the first two Captain America films, both Avengers films, and culminates in — what else — Civil War.

For the last couple of years, Robert Downey Jr. has said that there are no plans for a fourth Iron Man movie — and he hasn’t appeared to be interested in making another one, to be honest. And that fact is seemingly supported by his Marvel contract, which does not include another solo outing beyond Iron Man 3. When (and if) Marvel re-ups the actor’s contract, that could very well be subject to change, when (and if) Downey Jr. is open to it. That time appears to be now.

When Marvel Studios began ambitiously building towards the first Avengers movie, many openly wondered: how can they do this? Many times over the years, notably in Sam Raimi’s bloated Spider-Man 3, too many characters had clogged up the screen, diluting those films of any real focus. This was a legitimate concern for Marvel and for The Avengers, a movie that was going to star not one, but seven superheroes. Flash forward to 2016 and seven superheroes suddenly seems like an intimate gathering. Now Marvel has arrived with Captain America: Civil War, the latest in their progressively expanding franchise, with a lineup that includes 12 superheroes and three villains. Have we reached peak superhero? Is this finally, once and for all, just too much? NOPE.

As promised last week, the first trailer for Doctor Strange has arrived to tease a more mystical, psychedelic corner of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Following its debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live, the trailer is now online and offers our first real look at Benedict Cumberbatch’s titular Sorcerer Supreme in action — along with the debut of Tilda Swinton’s Ancient One.

James Gunn is currently in production on Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, so when recently asked if he’d return to direct Guardians of the Galaxy 3, the director seemed uncertain about whether he wants to stick with Marvel or move on to something else. Marvel hasn’t formally revealed any of its Phase 4 films, but we’ve all just assumed that another Guardians sequel is part of that plan — according to Kevin Feige, that assumption is correct.

As we’ve learned multiple times over the course of the years, the best kept secrets of studios can often be spoiled in the most mundane ways. Like how action figures or LEGO sets reveal our first looks at new characters or big action scenes...

James Gunn has made it clear that he’s no longer responding to rumors regarding Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, so don’t expect the director to confirm or deny the latest report, which may reveal the names of three new characters. Take it with the usual grain of salt, but given how wild and weird the Guardians corner of the Marvel universe is, these names all sound fairly plausible.

Now that Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice has arrived in theaters, it’s time to start looking forward to another epic superhero battle. Captain America: Civil War hits theaters in just over a month, and though this international trailer features familiar scenes, it also offers some new footage, including a special moment between Black Widow and Hawkeye.

Most Marvel fans have barely had the time to start their Daredevil Season 2 binge, and already our first look at Luke Cage has arrived! The third Defender has released a first official teaser for the September 30 premiere, already shrugging off bullets.