Summary
Only a couple of Marvel Cinematic Universe Disney+ shows, namely Loki and What If..., have officially announced their renewal for second seasons, whereas the remaining ones will further develop their storylines through films and other television series.
Secret Invasion and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier will not have subsequent seasons, but their storylines will be carried forward in upcoming MCU films such as The Marvels and Captain America: Brave New World.
Although certain shows, like Secret Invasion, may not have a second season due to mixed response and significant production expenses, there remains a potential for a follow-up season of Ms. Marvel if fans demonstrate their interest to MCU chief Kevin Feige.
Expanding beyond its big-screen projects, the Marvel Cinematic Universe now includes streaming series on Disney+. Some of these shows have already secured second seasons, although only a select few. Starting with WandaVision in 2021, Marvel's Disney+ projects have continued with their most recent release, Secret Invasion. While there have been a total of nine series so far (excluding specials or shorts), and many more to come, only a handful have officially announced second seasons.
Currently, Loki and What If... are the only Disney+ shows following the traditional MCU format that have confirmed second seasons. They are accompanied by I Am Groot, a collection of shorts centered around the Guardians of the Galaxy, and X-Men '97, which is a separate continuation of the classic X-Men animated series. The latter was confirmed by Lenore Zann, the voice actor for Rogue. Additionally, four MCU streaming shows will have their cliffhangers and storylines picked up in other shows and movies. Although these shows may not receive a traditional second season, their narratives are still ongoing.
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Four MCU Disney+ Shows Will Have Their Stories Continued Outside A True Season 2
WandaVision
Marvel's recent announcement regarding the physical release of WandaVision has confirmed that there will not be a second season. This was indicated by labeling the box as "The Complete Series." While this may be disappointing for fans who were hoping for more after the open-ended finale of WandaVision, it is worth noting that other MCU movies and shows will serve as spiritual second seasons. For example, Scarlet Witch's storyline, which concluded with her studying the Darkhold in search of her children, will be continued in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, a film set in Phase 4 of the MCU. In this installment, Wanda succumbs to the corrupting influence of the Darkhold and ultimately becomes a villain, embarking on a multiverse-spanning campaign of destruction.
Furthermore, there are two upcoming MCU streaming shows that will pick up where WandaVision left off. The first, Agatha: Coven of Chaos, is the most direct follow-up and can be seen as a quasi-season 2 of WandaVision. Although it does not have a confirmed release date yet, this series will delve deeper into the character of Agatha Harkness, the antagonist from WandaVision, and explore the world of witches and witchcraft within the MCU. As for White Vision, who flew away from Westview with his whereabouts unknown, his story will be continued in the Vision Quest series, which also does not have a confirmed release date.
The Falcon And The Winter Soldier
Ms. Marvel
Bucky Barnes' character arc in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier focused on his journey towards self-acceptance and rediscovery after grappling with his dark past as The Winter Soldier. Similarly, Sam Wilson faced difficulties in embracing his role as the new Captain America. Although the show resolved the storyline involving the Flag Smashers, there are still unresolved paths for both Bucky and Sam. The next chapter in Sam Wilson's Captain America journey will unfold in Captain America: Brave New World, part of the upcoming MCU Phase 5. Meanwhile, Bucky is slated to join the Thunderbolts as a member of the titular team, giving him the opportunity for narrative closure and finding peace.
Kamala Khan made her debut in the MCU as Ms. Marvel, showcasing innovative hard-light abilities instead of the traditional embiggening powers associated with the character. The first season of Ms. Marvel concluded by delving into the narrative of the ClanDestine, but the final episode took an unexpected turn, leaving viewers on edge as Kamala inexplicably vanished and was replaced by Carol Danvers, also known as Captain Marvel. The Marvels, slated for release in 2023, appears to seamlessly continue the storyline as a quasi-season 2 for Ms. Marvel. It centers around the immediate aftermath of the character switch and explores the connection between Carol, Kamala, and Monica Rambeau, as their powers become intertwined.
Secret Invasion
The recent Disney+ streaming series, Secret Invasion, has been met with controversy within the MCU. It is based on the well-known Marvel Comics storyline involving Skrulls infiltrating the Marvel Universe. Unfortunately, the show has received criticism for its unconventional narrative choices and underwhelming ending. Despite the divide surrounding the Secret Invasion finale, it does introduce unresolved plotlines that will continue in The Marvels. After unintentionally sparking a worldwide search for Skrulls, resulting in the declaration of all aliens as enemies of the state by the US president, Fury embarks on a journey back to the SABER space station.
The Marvels takes place after Fury reaches the space station, and the trailer implies that Skrulls will play a role in the story. Given Gravik's personal vendetta against both Fury and Carol Danvers, it is likely that they will have to confront the consequences of their failure to find a new planet for the Skrulls. It is also possible, although not guaranteed, that humanity's hostility towards aliens following the Skrull invasion could lead to a Thor 4 storyline inspired by the Siege comic arc.
Will Any Of These MCU Show Get A Real Season 2?
Currently, the only series confirmed to not be receiving a second season is WandaVision. The chances for The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and Secret Invasion seem low as well. Although the former was generally well-received, it appears that both characters will go their separate ways and likely reunite in a future film rather than on the small screen. Due to its poor reception and high production costs, a second season of Secret Invasion is highly unlikely.
However, there is more optimism surrounding Ms. Marvel. Despite having the lowest viewership for any MCU Disney+ show premiere, Kamala and actor Iman Vellani have gained popularity. Producer and co-creator of Kamala Khan, Sana Amanat, has expressed hope for a second season of Ms. Marvel. She emphasizes that it could become a possibility if fans continue to show their interest to MCU head Kevin Feige.
Why So Few MCU Disney+ Shows Have A Confirmed Second Season
Marvel Studios started off strong with a jam-packed schedule of streaming content for the MCU. However, this strategy has yielded mixed results. While some projects have been highly successful, the sheer volume of content has also made the MCU feel overcrowded and difficult to keep up with. Disney CEO Bob Iger appears to share the same concerns about oversaturation in Phase 4 of the MCU, acknowledging that the increased releases have led to a "diluted focus and attention" on the Marvel brand. This doesn't mean that future projects won't be developed, especially if their related content performs well. It simply explains why not every Marvel Cinematic Universe show will receive a second season.