Summary
Marvel Studios is carrying on their tradition of turning Disney+ shows into cinematic experiences by allocating a staggering $141.3 million budget for the second season of Loki, putting it on par with major motion pictures.
Marvel Studios is allocating a substantial budget to Loki season 2 in hopes of revitalizing public interest in the MCU and enhancing brand recognition. Despite potentially having a smaller budget compared to other Disney+ series within the MCU, Loki season 2 still surpasses the budgets of numerous MCU films, underscoring Marvel's unwavering dedication to their streaming offerings.
The budget for Loki season 2 has been revealed, potentially highlighting a recurring issue with high costs in Marvel Studios projects. Loki season 1 premiered on Disney+ in 2021 as part of Phase 4 of the MCU, focusing on the mischievous God who escaped in Avengers: Endgame's Time Heist. After facing significant delays, season 1 concluded with the announcement of a second season. However, as Loki season 2 prepares to debut on October 6, 2023, there are concerns that it may face the same criticism as other Phase 4 projects.
On July 31, 2023, the first trailer for Loki season 2 was released, providing new information about the upcoming Phase 5 entry and confirming the return of key cast members. The likes of Tom Hiddleston, Owen Wilson, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Eugene Cordero, Wunmi Mosaku, Sophia Di Martino, and Jonathan Majors will reprise their roles. While the first season introduced the concept of the multiverse, season 2 is expected to delve deeper into other realities, with the official synopsis teasing Loki's exploration of an expanding and increasingly perilous multiverse. Just two days after the trailer's release, the budget for Loki season 2 was revealed, prompting concerns that it may encounter similar challenges as previous MCU series.
New Report Reveal's Loki Season 2's Massive Budget
How Loki Season 2's Budget Compares To Other MCU Shows And Movies
: Disney's investment in Loki season 2 reached an astounding $141.3 million, according to Forbes. This significant budget surpasses that of many contemporary feature films and underscores Marvel Studios' commitment to delivering long-form cinematic experiences through their Disney+ series. Amidst recent critique of various Marvel Studios projects, this substantial allocation of resources may serve as an effort to revitalize interest in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). However, it is important to note that previous Disney+ shows from the MCU have also received substantial budgets, with varying levels of critical acclaim.
Upon the launch of Disney+ in 2019, it was revealed by The Hollywood Reporter (via Business Insider) that Marvel Studios' initial TV series had a price tag of $25 million per episode, which would accumulate to a total of $150-200 million based on the episode count. This budget estimation was assigned to Disney+ shows such as WandaVision, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Loki season 1, Hawkeye, Moon Knight, and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. However, the budgets for Ms. Marvel and What If...? season 1 remained undisclosed. In a deviation from the norm, Secret Invasion in Phase 5 was allotted a whopping $212 million budget, thus making Loki season 2 potentially one of the most cost-effective MCU Disney+ series to date.
While Loki season 2 may be one of the least expensive of Marvel Studios' TV shows, it surpasses the budget of several MCU feature films. Some notable examples include Iron Man ($140 million), Captain America: The First Avenger ($140 million), and Ant-Man ($130 million). This places Loki season 2 on par with the budget of the MCU's theatrical releases, just like its Disney+ predecessors. It's important to mention that the budget report for Loki season 2 does not account for promotion and marketing costs. Although these costs may not be as high as those for feature films, they will still contribute significantly to the overall cost of the upcoming series.
Why Loki Season 2's Budget Is Such A Risk & Why It Might Pay Off
Marvel Studios is taking a bold move by continuing with Loki season 2, despite recent comments from Disney CEO Bob Iger. In an interview with CNBC's David Faber in July 2023, Iger acknowledged the growing "superhero fatigue" among viewers. He mentioned that Marvel Studios' recent projects have received mixed responses and proposed a strategy of spending less and making less for the pillars of Disney+. Considering Disney+'s significant financial losses, investing $140 million in Loki season 2 poses a significant risk.
The budget for Loki season 2 would have been established before Iger's comments, and possibly even before Iger's return to Disney in November 2022, so these changes wouldn't have affected the series. The potential scaling back of content by Marvel Studios could actually benefit upcoming shows like Daredevil: Born Again, Agatha: Coven of Chaos, and Ironheart. While Loki season 2's large budget poses a risk, the first season received critical acclaim and set the stage for the MCU's Multiverse Saga. If this trend continues in Loki season 2, the forthcoming show could enhance Marvel Studios' brand identity and reignite audiences' interest in the MCU.
