Fresh from what’s arguably the biggest cast reveal at the San Diego Comic-Con, Marvel is back with more updates from the D23 Expo for the Disney Entertainment Showcase. During the SDCC panel, the announcement that Robert Downey Jr. was cast as Doctor Doom captured headlines and the event mainly focused on the studio’s theatrical releases such as Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
Transitioning to the D23 Expo, Marvel shifted the spotlight to its highly anticipated Disney+ Hotstar lineup. The showcase began with a thrilling reveal of the new promo for Agatha All Along, the spinoff series from Disney+’s 2021 sensation WandaVision. With Kathryn Hahn reprising her role as Agatha Harkness and Aubrey Plaza joining the cast, the series promises to deliver a gripping storyline. The ensemble cast also includes notable names such as Patti LuPone, Joe Locke, Sasheer Zamata, Ali Ahn, Maria Dizzia, Paul Adelstein, Miles Gutierrez-Riley, Okwui Okpokwasili, and Debra Jo Rupp.
The direction of Agatha All Along is entrusted to talented directors Schaeffer, Rachel Goldberg, and Gandja Monteiro, who are expected to bring their unique styles and visions to the series.
Kevin Feige, the mastermind behind Marvel Studios, took the stage at the D23 Expo to make some momentous announcements. Among them was the eagerly awaited premiere date for the first season of Daredevil: Born Again, set to debut in March 2025. Season two of the series is already in the pipeline and soon to commence filming. Attendees at the event were treated to an exclusive first look that left them buzzing with excitement.
Daredevil: Born Again boasts the return of original star Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock, with Vincent D’Onofrio coming back to play the menacing mob boss Wilson Fisk, also known as Kingpin, and Jon Bernthal reprising his role as the ruthless Punisher. The series is further enriched by a stellar cast including Margarita Levieva, Arty Froushan, Sandrine Holt, Michael Gandolfini, and Nikki M. James.
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Dario Scardapane, known for his work on Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan and The Punisher, serves as the showrunner for Daredevil: Born Again. Meanwhile, the directing duo Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead, celebrated for their work on Loki, are leading the direction for the new season, which will stream starting March 1, 2025.
In addition to Daredevil, Marvel Studios gave a sneak peek into another highly-awaited series, Ironheart. This series chronicles the story of Riri Williams (played by Dominique Thorne), who made her impressive debut in the MCU in 2022’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Taking forward the narrative of this young genius inventor, Ironheart has captivated the interest of Marvel fans across the globe.
The cast of Ironheart is equally intriguing with Lyric Ross playing Riri’s friend Natalie Washington, Matthew Elam portraying Xavier Washington, Anji White stepping into the shoes of Riri’s mom, Manny Montana as Cousin John, and Shea Couleé as Slug. The miniseries is brought to life by the creative efforts of Chinaka Hodge and directed by Sam Bailey and Angela Barnes, each helming three episodes of this six-episode journey.
On the cinematic front, the D23 Expo revisited some of the much-talked-about footage from Fantastic Four and Captain America: Brave New World which were first showcased at the San Diego Comic-Con. Anthony Mackie made a return to present these thrilling previews once more, much to the delight of the attendees.
Further adding to the excitement, the panel featured a heartfelt video of Ryan Reynolds expressing his gratitude to Kevin Feige and the fans for the overwhelming success of Deadpool & Wolverine. This gesture underlined a sense of connection and appreciation between the Marvel team and their vast fanbase.
With such an array of announcements and exclusive content, the D23 Expo underscored Marvel Studios’ commitment to keeping its audience on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating each new installment in their ever-expanding universe. As Marvel transitions some of its most beloved and complex characters onto the streaming platform, fans worldwide are surely in for a series of riveting and unforgettable viewing experiences. The Disney+ Hotstar lineup promises to be a game-changer, bringing the magic of Marvel’s storytelling into homes with unprecedented depth and engagement.
