Eight influence the MCU movies.
This distinction immediately sets the lot of MCU Disney+ shows apart from previously released Marvel shows like The Falcon and The Winter Soldier will be the first of these series to arrive in late 2020, but the onslaught of this new form of MCU content will truly begin in 2021.
For each of the shows, Marvel Studios is using them to either explore the fallout from a recent movie or set up an event that is on the horizon. Marvel has a relatively fresh slate for Phase 4 in theaters, but a lot of the Avengers: Endgame. Since these shows are part of the larger MCU narrative, though, here is how they're tied together and will set up the future of the shared universe on their own.
The Falcon and The Winter Soldier
Set for release in the fall of 2020, The Falcon and The Winter Soldier received clear set up at the end of Avengers: Endgame. The movie saw Steve Rogers' decide to Captain America franchise, with Bucky Barnes aka Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan) likely dealing with what he's done in the past.
Helmut Zemo (Daniel Brühl) and Sharon Carter (Emily VanCamp) will both return to the MCU for the first time since Falcon becoming Captain America, possibly leading to US Agent being their idea of a replacement. All of this will help set up Falcon as Cap for the future for the MCU and perhaps the next Avengers lineup.
WandaVision
The first Disney+ show out the gate in 2021, most of the setup for 1950s vibe to it and likely deal with Wanda messing with reality in some form to bring Vision back.
They are far from the only MCU characters whose stories could be progressed in the series though. Randall Park is returning as his Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Scarlet Witch is set to appear in the sequel after this series and Feige has teased that the events of WandaVision will set up how she factors into the story.
Loki
alternate reality Loki will be the one the series follows.
At this time, Hiddleston's Loki is the only MCU character confirmed to be making an appearance in the series. That could change though as the series reportedly revolves around hor: Love and Thunder in some capacity.
What If...?
Marvel's T'Challa becoming Star-Lord, and something involving zombies are part of the lineup.
Even though each of these episodes will change an event from the MCU as we know it, the movies themselves are each tied to the series. In addition to dozens of veteran MCU actors returning to voice their parts, the series will be narrated by MCU twists on these stories may also further explore the vast reaches of the multiverse.
Hawkeye
Believed to be Marvel's final Disney+ show in 2021, Hailee Steinfeld reportedly may play Kate Bishop, but she has not yet signed on.
Bishop may very well be Hawkeye's biggest connecting point to the MCU's future. Her presence could be used to set up a possible Young Avengers lineup further or see her become established enough to the next regular Avengers roster. Through it all, Hawkeye could also help set up another new Avengers team, the West Coast Avengers. If the Young or West Coast Avengers threads are pulled on by Marvel, then Hawkeye could be instrumental in setting up either one.
Ms. Marvel
One of the newest Disney+ shows announced, Captain Marvel 2 could be in the cards and maybe a spot on the MCU's version of the Young Avengers lineup, too.
She-Hulk
Jennifer Walters will also soon the MCU and receive plenty of screen-time in She-Hulk's story will work within the MCU or if they'll follow her comic origin - where she gets a blood transfusion from Bruce. Regardless, She-Hulk's presence in the MCU might be so she can then be part of the next Avengers roster.
Moon Knight
The newly announced Blade in some form. In any case, Moon Knight - like several other characters starring in these shows - may very well be part of the next Avengers lineup after he's introduced here.
Key Release Dates
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Black Widow
Release Date:2021-07-09 -
Eternals
Release Date:2021-11-05 -
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Release Date:2021-09-03 -
Doctor Strange In the Multiverse of Madness
Release Date:2022-05-06 -
Thor: Love and Thunder
Release Date:2022-07-08 -
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Release Date:2022-11-11