Marvel’s Unexpected San Diego Comic-Con Decision

Marvel Studios is embarking on two unprecedented ventures this year. For the first time since 2012, the company will release only one movie in theaters: “Deadpool & Wolverine.” Additionally, Marvel has scheduled two appearances at San Diego Comic-Con’s Hall H, a notable first for the studio.

According to Comicbook.com, Marvel has slated panels for Thursday, July 25, and Saturday, July 27. Marvel Studios’ president and producer Kevin Feige will be joined by “Deadpool & Wolverine” director Shawn Levy, along with Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, on Thursday. This panel coincides with the release of Marvel’s first R-rated movie. Feige will then return on Saturday to unveil Marvel’s upcoming slate.

Kevin Feige shared with Deadline, “I think people know we’re going to be there on Saturday for our traditional Hall H panel with a lot of fun stuff to look at about our upcoming movies. But what I don’t think people know is that we’re also going to be in Hall H on Thursday for the first time ever.”

“Marvel Studios is going to be in Hall H twice during Comic-Con. Thursday, of course, is the opening of ‘Deadpool & Wolverine,’ so we’re going to be doing a fun Deadpool panel in Hall H to commemorate the opening and Shawn, Hugh, Ryan and I will be there,” he continued.

On Thursday, July 25, at 6:30 pm PT, Hall H will become the venue for Marvel Studios: The Ultimate Deadpool & Wolverine Celebration of Life. On Saturday, Marvel will host another hour-long panel at 6:00 pm PT.

The Deadpool & Wolverine panel will conclude Comic-Con’s first-day program. The day is densely packed with panels including Transformers at 11:45 am, Celebrating 25 Years of SpongeBob SquarePants at 1:00 pm, Percy Jackson and the Olympians at 2:15 pm, and What We Do in the Shadows Farewell Kickoff at 3:30 pm.

On Saturday, Marvel will once again close out the day in Hall H with what promises to be a star-studded panel. Earlier in the day, attendees can look forward to Superman & Lois at 11:15 am, The Star Trek Universe at 1:45 pm, and The Penguin Panel at 4:45 pm.

Marvel is expected to spotlight its upcoming film slate, which includes “Captain America: Brave New World” (Feb. 14, 2025), “Thunderbolts” (May 5, 2025), “The Fantastic Four” (July 25, 2025), “Blade” (Nov. 7, 2025), “Avengers 5” (May 1, 2026), and “Avengers: Secret Wars” (May 7, 2027).

For its streaming content, the “WandaVision” spinoff “Agatha All Along” will premiere on September 18. The animated series “Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man,” “Eyes of Wakanda,” and “What If…?” season 3 are all set to debut later this year. “Daredevil: Born Again” and “Ironheart” are expected to premiere in 2025.

Hall H is renowned for its blockbuster announcements and is the convention’s largest stage. It is connected to the San Diego Convention Center’s exhibit floor but remains segregated for Comic-Con purposes. The hall spans 64,842 square feet, which may be hard to visualize but can accommodate 6,130 attendees, roughly 5% of all San Diego Comic-Con attendees per day.

The last time Marvel Studios released just one film in a year was in 2012, with that film being “The Avengers.” One of the most memorable Marvel Hall H moments occurred a year later when Feige, updating the crowd on “Thor: The Dark World,” was interrupted, plunging the room into darkness. The voice of Tom Hiddleston as Loki echoed, enthralling the audience.

Could Marvel have a similar surprise in store for this year’s Comic-Con Saturday?

Source: Comicbook.com, Deadline