Marvel Studios is upping their representation game

Since Black Panther—the first Marvel Studios production which had a Black lead and a predominantly Black cast—Marvel Studios has been making more moves towards better representation. From Simu Liu in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Kumail Nanjiani in The Eternals, and Tessa Thompson in Thor: Love and Thunder; to talent behind the screen with acclaimed writer Stacy Osei-Kuffour working on Blade and Nia DaCosta directing Captain Marvel 2, there's lots to be excited about.

Here is a list of Marvel movies in development that we can't wait to see.

Blade

Stacy Osei-Kuffour makes history as the first Black woman to write a Marvel Studios film and we're thrilled to see her vision come to life on screen for the Blade reboot.

Osei-Kuffour was a prime-time Emmy nominee in 2019 (“Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series” for PEN15), and the playwright-turned-TV writer also worked as a story editor on HBO’s widely-acclaimed Watchmen (for which she won a Writer’s Guild Award). Osei-Kuffour's other writing credits include the comedy series Run as well as Amazon’s Hunters.

Two-time Oscar winner Mahershala Ali is said to have been directly involved in the hiring. As per The Hollywood Reporter, the studio was said to have spent the last six months meeting with writers in what was described as a meticulous search. “Only Black writers were seriously considered, a reflection of Marvel’s focus on diversity and making representation a key factor — especially when tackling non-white characters.” The film is slated for the big screen in October 2022.

Captain Marvel 2

Director Nia DaCosta will be busy making waves behind the scenes of Captain Marvel 2.  DaCosta, who will be the studio’s first Black woman director, is known for directing the crime thriller The Little Woods (2019) for which she won the Nora Ephron Prize at the Tribeca Film Festival. She also directed the upcoming horror film, Candyman. Captain Marvel 2 is set to launch November 2022.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

True to the comic character the film is based on, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings will have an all-Asian cast that includes Simu Liu, Awkwafina, Tony Leung, Fala Chen, Ronny Chieng, Michelle Yeoh and more. The movie will be Marvel’s first film with an Asian lead. The film, which has literally been in the works since 2001, is expected to be released July 9, 2021.

The Eternals

The Eternals—based on the Marvel comics of the same name—seems to have a more inclusive cast lined up from the info we know so far. The Chloé Zhao directed flick will include Pakistani-American actor/comedian Kumail Nanjiani who will play Kingo. Korean-American actor Ma Dong-seok will play Gilgamesh and British-Asian actor Gemma Chan will star as the character, Sersi. The film is set to be released November 5, 2021.

Venom: Let There Be Carnage

The sequel to Venom is said to be starring English actor Naomie Harris as part of its main cast. Harris will play the character Shriek. In the past, Harris played Winnie Mandela in Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (2013). She has also starred in a number of the James Bond franchises such as Skyfall (2012), Spectre (2015) and the upcoming No Time To Die (2021). Venom: Let There Be Change is expected in theatres June 25, 2021.

Thor: Love and Thunder

Tessa Thompson will join the MCU in the upcoming Thor: Love and Thunder playing Brunhilde/Valkyrie. Thompson played civil rights activist Diane Nash in the historical drama, Selma (2014), and Bianca Taylor in the sports drama film Creed and Creed II. The film is the sequel to Thor, Thor: The Dark World, Thor: Ragnarok, and Avengers: Endgame and a prequel to The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. The film is said to be released on May 6, 2022.

The Suicide Squad

The squad of stars in this comic series adaptation is pretty serious. Golden Globe winner Idris Elba (The Wire; Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom) will play mercenary Robert Dubois/Bloodsport. It was rumoured Elba was originally cast to replace Will Smith as Deadshot (who dropped out due to conflicting issues) before his character was changed to Bloodsport. Academy Award-winning actor Viola Davis (Widows; Fences) will play A.R.G.U.S. agent Amanda Waller who runs the Task Force X program. The film is slated for August 6, 2021.

BEFORE YOU GO: Time assembles 100 Next list featuring Maitreyi Ramakrishnan

[video_embed id='2142048']BEFORE YOU GO: Time assembles 100 Next list featuring Maitreyi Ramakrishnan[/video_embed]