By George & Josh Bate
Marvel Studios usually make a massive occasion of big panels and events, and D23 2024 was no exception. Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige was present in Anaheim, California to introduce new footage and star-studded guests from a range of upcoming Marvel projects, including Daredevil: Born Again, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Captain America: Brave New World, Agatha All Along, and Ironheart. Check out a full breakdown of the Marvel Studios portion of the Disney Entertainment Showcase below…
Captain America; Brave New World
Anthony Mackie arrived on stage to talk the next MCU movie hitting theaters – Captain America: Brave New World. Mackie jokingly said that “the shield is really heavy to carry,” but affirmed that it is “an amazing honor” to step into role of Captain America.
A new trailer was exclusively shown to the D23 crowd. Read a description of the footage from Captain America: Brave New World below….
The footage begins with President Thaddeus ‘Thunderbolt’ Ross (played by Harrison Ford) giving a presentation to a group of world leaders. Ross addresses the arrival of the massive celestial being from Eternals and comments how different world powers have squabbled over the resources and technology the celestial offers. Ross affirms that the celestial is everyone’s to use, and notably points out that the celestial is made of adamantium, the metal alloy that Wolverine’s skeleton and claws are bonded to.
The trailer then transitions to various shots of Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson in civilian, undercover clothing looking pretty cool. Voiceover from Harrison Ford explains that “the threats we face have no signs of slowing down.” This line leads into a reveal of Giancarlo Esposito’s Sidewinder character, who epically reloads and unloads a rifle. Sidewinder says to his crew, “Stand by for proof of death” before shooting at Sam Wilson in a car.
The trailer then shows an exterior shot of the White House when a massive explosion tears the building apart. Wilson can be seen helping President Ross out of the rubble.
In dramatic fashion, Wilson (wearing a dapper suit) is seen walking through a crowd of law enforcement and political officials to make his way to President Ross. Recognizing the seriousness of Wilson’s tone, Ross orders everyone in the room to leave (except Shira Haas as Ruth Bat-Seraph). Wilson tells Ross that his “inner circle has been compromised” and urges the president to let him investigate.
The trailer then quickly depicts a range of shots, largely showing Wilson in civilian clothing. This aspect of the trailer definitely aligns with Kevin Feige’s statements about the movie being a grounded political thriller like Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson and Danny Ramirez’s Joaquin Torres are then shown in some pretty neat suits, before a bunch of quick action shots lead to the jaw-dropper of a closer… Harrison Ford as Red Hulk!
Ford’s President Ross is giving a species outside of the White House when he suddenly falls behind a podium and stands up to reveal a roaring Red Hulk.
The Fantastic 4: First Steps
Next up was The Fantastic 4: First Steps. Kevin Feige confirmed that the film recently began filming in London and presented a video from the cast on the set of the film.
Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn (suited up as Johnny Storm) were sat at a table and spoke a bit about how filming has gone so far. The four actors enthusiastically spoke about their work on the film and how excited they are for fans to see the new film.
Feige then presented early footage of the film, which was filmed before production officially began. The footage adopts the retro-futuristic aesthetic the film is clearly going for (think of Disneyland’s Tomorrowland and you’ll get a good idea of the setting of The Fantastic 4: First Steps).
The footage shows Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards lecturing to a crowd of bored students. Pascal uses a different voice than what we’ve seen from him in previous projects (kind of like a nerdy high school teacher from a Disney movie).
The footage continues by showing a dating show, with three male contestants (the last of whom is The Thing, shrouded in shadows).
The Fantastic 4 are seen suiting up in their flight suits, and Vanessa Kirby’s Sue Storm makes a quip about how her brother Johnny is “extremely single.”
The footage concluded with an interior shot of a skyscraper window looking out. Suddenly, a massive face appears in the window, revealing…. Galactus! The big bad (both literally and figuratively) played by Ralph Ineson looks terrifying.
Ironheart
The cast of Ironheart were present to discuss the long-awaited Marvel Studios series. Black Panther director Ryan Coogler, who introduced Ironheart in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, was at D23 to show the crowd new footage.
The footage shown confirms that Ironheart will continue Riri Williams’ journey from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. “After my internship abroad, I felt stuck,” Riri says. “I want to build something undeniable.
The conflict at the core of Ironheart appears to be technology vs. magic, the latter of which is represented by Anthony Ramos’ villain character Parker Robbins. Ramos’ character is seen in the footage putting on a magical, Doctor Strange-esque hood, which gives him access to dark powers.
Briefly appearing in the footage is Alden Ehrenreich. The former Han Solo actor plays Joe McGillicuddy in the show.
The footage continues with plenty of action shots occurring in the city of Chicago.
Ironheart was confirmed to release in 2025 on Disney+ and will include six episodes.
Daredevil: Born Again
The highlight of the Marvel Studios portion of the panel was Daredevil: Born Again.
Kevin Feige confirmed that the show will premiere on Disney+ in March 2025 and that Season 2 is in development now. ‘Season 2’ is an interesting way to put it, as the footage shown to the D23 crowd makes Daredevil: Born Again feel very much like Season 4 of the original Daredevil series that premiered on Netflix.
The cast of the original Daredevil series reunited on stage at D23. Charlie Cox, Jon Bernthal, Vincent D’Onofrio, Elden Henson, and Deborah Ann Woll were welcomed to a rousing reception from the D23 crowd, who rejoiced at having these actors share the screen again. Bernthal was asked what it’s like being back as Frank Castle. He responded that he is “honored” to play The Punisher again.
The trailer begins with a grimy train subway. Matt Murdock is speaking to a prisoner, who tells him that the city needs a hero. It appears that people are mysteriously vanishing in the city.
The Marvel logo appears (the same one that used to appear at the beginning of the Nefflix shows). The logo then transforms into the new Marvel Television logo, a nice visual to symbolize the transition from Netflix to Disney+.
Street art on a wall depicts Wilson Fisk with the moniker ‘Kingpin’ labeled below him.
White Tiger and Kamala Kahn’s father from Ms. Marvel make brief appearances in the footage.
One memorable shots shows Cox’s character looking upon a table of multiple Daredevil helmets, each of different colors and differ variations.
Fisk can be heard saying, “Peace needs to be broken. Chaos must reign.”
Jon Bernthal’s Frank Castle makes an appearance in the trailer. He has long hair and is bearded when he confronts Matt Murdock with a hatchet. Murdock jokingly tells Castle to put the hatchet down, to which Castle responds by smashing the hatchet into the wall just to the side of Murdock.
A subtle reference to Murdock’s cameo appearance in Spider-Man: No Way Home features in the trailer, when someone asks him, “What kind of lawyer are you?” Murdock is then seen beating a few people up, before responding that he is a good lawyer.
The footage concludes with a moment clearly inspired by Michael Mann’s heist classic Heat. Murdock and Fisk sit across from one another at a restaurant. Murdock warns Fisk, “If you step out of line, I am going to be there.” Fisk ominously responds, “Who’s this coming from? Murdock or… your darker half?”
The footage concluded by confirming the series will hit Disney in March 2025. In the meantime, you can stream the first three seasons of Daredevil on Netflix and catch up before Daredevil: Born Again.
Agatha All Along
Kathryn Hahn and the cast of Agatha All Along were present at D23 for a live performance. Check some of it out below….
A new trailer for Agatha All Along premiered at D23 and was released simultaneously to the public. Watch the trailer below….
In addition, a new poster for Agatha All Along was released. Check it out below….
Agatha All Along premieres September 18 on Disney+.