Marvel Studios is likely to delay two small screen additions to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Ironheart and Echo, if a new report is to be believed.
The report comes via The Hollywood Reporter. It cites unnamed insiders who claim that Ironheart and Echo will likely be pushed back to 2024 or later, despite both productions having already wrapped filming. This will provide more breathing room between MCU projects, and allow the creative teams behind Ironheart and Echo more time for post-production polishing, the insiders added. They also alleged that the only MCU shows guaranteed to debut on Disney+ in 2023 are Secret Invasion and Loki Season 2, and noted that progress on shows still in early development (such as Nova) will likely slow down, as well. That said, Marvel Studios and Disney+ have yet to publicly comment on the report, which means it should be taken with a grain of salt for now.
This isn't the first hint of delays to Marvel Studios' slate of streaming series, though. The Marvel UK & Ireland Twitter account recently deleted a tweet that listed Echo and WandaVision spinoff Agatha: Coven of Chaos as 2023 releases, indicating that both shows may arrive later than originally planned. This came mere weeks after Echo showrunner Marion Dayre confirmed that the show wouldn't premiere until late 2023 at the earliest, almost two years after Alaqua Cox's Maya Lopez/Echo's MCU debut in Hawkeye.
Where Echo and Ironheart Fit in the MCU's Timeline
Should Marvel Studios ultimately decide to bump the release of either Echo or Ironheart, this will likely have at least some knock-on effects for the MCU's overarching narrative. Both series will reportedly provide key connective tissue between past and future MCU installments. Daredevil: Born Again's Vincent D'Onofrio previously confirmed that Echo will lay the groundwork for that show. Similarly, Ironheart will serve as "a direct sequel" to Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, according to the film's producer, Nate Moore.
Persistent rumors also claim that Echo and Ironheart will each introduce a major character to the MCU, making the potential delay of either show all the more surprising. Echo is said to set up the return of Krysten Ritter's Jessica Jones, integrating the superpowered private detective into the canon of the MCU proper. Meanwhile, Ironheart will supposedly feature Mephisto, with the demonic supervillain portrayed by Borat star Sacha Baron Cohen. Both of these casting rumors remain unconfirmed for now, though.
Source: THR