The super scoop

San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) 2024: the ultimate playground for comic book geeks and their counterpart film enthusiasts. It has once again proven to be the hub of thrilling announcements and jaw-dropping reveals that have left fans either giddy with excitement, or an overwhelmed mess of tears. This year’s convention delivered a barrage of impossible-to-believe updates, surprise guest appearances, and exclusive first looks at the most anticipated films, television shows, and comic series.

Marvel-ous news

When Marvel Studios announced it would finally be returning to Hall H for their larger-than-life annual presence, expectations were understandably high. The MCU is under more pressure than ever before to get it right. After years of uncontested box office dominance and broad critical approval, the tides have turned against the once-unassailable theatrical juggernaut, with a big drop in box-office performance, a general air of “superhero fatigue”, and the conviction and sentencing of actor Jonathan Majors, previously set to be the main villain of the next Avengers saga.

But behind the doors of the famous Hall H, hours after the theatrical debut of Deadpool & Wolverine (for which they hosted a World Guinness Record shattering drone show at SDCC), Marvel gave us a glimpse at the future of the MCU. And what a future it is.

In order to bring back some of the magic they’d lost, Marvel decided they were going to follow the “less is more” theory to avoid spreading themselves too thin, and scrapped, or at least postponed, some of the previously announced projects including Blade and X-Men which were listed as 2025 releases, as per BlackTree TV. A smart move.

While this may have disappointed die-hard fans, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige more than made up for it with the ultimate announcement. The MCU were originally gearing up for Majors’ Kang the Conqueror to be the main villain this time around, but following his conviction on assault and harassment charges, the future of the MCU was unclear, a foreign concept for the company that has a calendar set for the next decade — or two.

Although, veteran Avengers directors and sibling duo Anthony and Joe Russo took care of that problem. According to Marvel’s official Instagram, the Russo Brothers announced that they are back for the next two Avengers films titled, Avengers: Doomsday releasing May 2026 and Avengers: Secret Wars releasing the year after. They also revealed that the new Big Bad for this next phase will be the nefarious Doctor Doom. And guess who’s playing him? None other than Robert Downey Jr. The crowd’s reaction was as you’d imagine. As shown in a video posted on Marvel’s Instagram, the moment when RDJ walked onto stage in a Doom get-up, and ripped off his mask in a cinematic reveal, the crowd was eerily silent for a second, then burst into cheers. They were probably wondering, “But how would that work?”

We’re wondering the same thing. Well, in a saga where characters travel through what they’ve named the Multiverse and multiple timelines, anything seems to be possible. A change of universe here and a new branch of a timeline there, and there you have it: a Doctor Doom that looks eerily similar to Iron Man. It may be difficult to imagine him as anyone other than the beloved Tony Stark, but if there’s anything to expect from RDJ, it’s that he always gives 110 percent to his characters.

The ‘DC’ in SDCC

After the relative disappointment of the DCEU films, which concluded with Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, DC’s comic book characters are set for a rejuvenation on the big screen with James Gunn’s DCU. This new cinematic universe will kick off in earnest with Superman: Legacy, starring David Corenswet, heralding the start of a fresh superhero franchise.

One of the MCU’s most consistent successes has been its ability to generate immediate excitement with the opening moments of their films, as the Marvel banner projects a sizzle reel of their iconic projects, all set to the rousing Marvel Studios theme. For a long time, DC’s films lacked a comparable studio logo to compete. However, James Gunn has now introduced one that promises to leave a lasting impression.

One of the most eagerly awaited projects from DC’s SDCC 2024 lineup is HBO Max’s upcoming drama series, The Penguin. Expanding the universe of Matt Reeves’ The Batman (2022), the show will see Colin Farrell reprise his role as Oswald Cobblepot as per Screen Rant. The newly unveiled trailer promises to chronicle Ozzy’s ascent within Gotham’s criminal underworld.

The Penguin won’t be the only project expanding upon the Gotham City introduced by Matt Reeves. A direct sequel, titled The Batman — Part II, is also in the works, set for release sometime in 2025. While details about the film’s direction remain scarce, anticipation is already building.

The DCU also appears to be capitalising on one of its strong points: animated shows. HBO’s Harley Quinn animated series has been a surprise hit, boasting four seasons and fans are eagerly anticipating a fifth season, which, according to showrunners and DC’s Instagram, is slated for a November release. Another animated series, My Adventures with Superman, offers a modern twist on Superman’s early days in Metropolis, blending action and romance. At SDCC, it was revealed that another Kryptonian hero, Superboy, will be joining the series’ roster.

Time twisting adventures ahead

The British series Doctor Who has been entertaining sci-fi fans for 60 years, and this holiday season, it’s set to bring a new Joy to the world.

During a Friday presentation at SDCC, according to USA Today, the show’s executive producer teased the much-anticipated Doctor Who Christmas special, slated to premiere later this year, and revealed an exciting new spinoff. The festive episode will feature Bridgerton’s Nicola Coughlan as Joy, a determined British woman who checks into a hotel, encounters an alien, and has her life turned upside down by the time-traveling Doctor.