Superhero Movies Supposed To Release In 2018 (But Didn't)

A lot of superhero films have released in 2018, but there are multiple movies that were supposed to hit theaters this year before being canceled or pushed back. It's fair to say superhero movie fever isn't dying down; based on the record amount of them coming out in 2019, the genre could still conceivable continue to grow. Marvel Studios is largely responsible for this thanks to their cinematic universe, but they only make up a fraction of the content.

So far in 2018, Marvel Studios has already released three films, Teen Titans Go! To The Movies.

But, building these expansive universes and franchises doesn't always go as originally planned. Some projects move quicker than others, while some just fall by the wayside entirely. For a variety of reasons, there are seven additional superhero movies that were (at one time) scheduled to hit theaters in 2018. Here they are.

The Amazing Spider-Man 3

Peter Parker looks behind in Amazing Spider-Man 2

Andrew Garfield starred as Peter Parker aka Spider-Man in two The Amazing Spider-Man 3.

Sony his ideas for the third entry, which would've pitted Spider-Man against the Sinister Six. Ideas about Peter's parents still being alive were discussed and filmed as part of an alternate ending for part two. It may have even been able to finally use Shailene Woodley's Mary Jane.

The Flash

Back in 2014, Warner Bros. announced their DC movie slate up until 2020. While a few of the films have managed to meet those actual dates so far, early 2017 start. However, he too left the movie over creative differences and started the long delay that resulted in Flash missing this date.

Currently, The Flash is being reconfigured by Game Night director John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein. They've ditched the Flashpoint storyline WB previously looked ready to adapt, and will instead tell a currently unknown story. Production is slated to begin early next year, so it is only a matter of time before Barry Allen gets to run again. So even though The Flash missed its announced 2018 release, it now appears to be heading towards a 2020 release.

Inhumans

When Marvel and Sony agreed to the Spider-Man deal, announced back in 2014, the movie was scheduled to hit theaters in November of this year - before Marvel completely wiped it from their slate. From there, the future of the Inhumans become much bleaker.

Instead of a sprawling movie franchise, ABC and IMAX picked up Inhumans as a TV show. The series didn't live up to expectations and was swiftly canceled after just one season. There's no sign of the genetically enhanced race ing the MCU anytime soon in a larger capacity than on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and Marvel Studios gaining the rights to the X-Men in the Disney-Fox merger means that's unlikely to change in the future.

Page 2 of 2: Captain Marvel, X-Men & More

Captain Marvel

Another movie to be delayed by Marvel's Phase 3 date shifts was originally scheduled the movie to hit theaters July 2018, making it the first film to come out right after Avengers: Infinity War. This changed when Spider-Man: Homecoming and Ant-Man & the Wasp was added to the docket, pushing it to early 2019.

It's not known if this shift led to any other changes. Carol Danvers was reportedly set to have a small appearance in Infinity War at one point, so her removal (other than a post-credits tag) may have necessitated a change. This was very early on though, prior to Brie Larson being cast in the lead role or Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck g on to direct. All three have now finished production and the marketing campaign is about to kick off. Captain Marvel is going to change the balance of power.

X-Men: Dark Phoenix

Fox only released one Marvel-based movie this year, but they originally had plans for three. One of the films that missed out was X-Men: Dark Phoenix. The film serves as the continuation of Fox's relaunched X-Men franchise (and timeline), with long-time-producer-but-first-time-director Simon Kinberg retelling the Dark Phoenix Saga correctly with Sophie Turner leading way as Jean Grey.

Fox delayed until early 2019. The cited reason is that Dark Phoenix is undergoing reshoots; there are varied reports on the length and significance of this additional photography, but it appears they were exacerbated by scheduling issues. The pickups only now taking place, and instead of rushing through them and the post-production work they'll need to meet the November date, Fox elected to push the release back. The cast remains optimistic this will benefit the movie, and hopefully it does so Fox's era of X-Men movies can close on a good note.

New Mutants

Another one of Fox's not-so-long-ago planned 2018 releases was teaser trailer in late 2017. That was before New Mutants became a troubled project though.

Instead of hitting its 2018 release, New Mutants was pushed back to February of 2019... until Fox believes this will be best for the movie, but plenty of skeptics still remain, and that won't change until New Mutants finally hits theaters.

Gambit, The Batman, & The Crow

While those are the superhero movies that actually had announced 2018 release dates, there are quite a few others that appeared to be on track for 2018 releases at different points in time. Channing Tatum's set to begin in 2017, which would ha Gambit a candidate for a 2018 release. Liman's one of several directors to leave the project, and at this time, there's no replacement for Gambit and thus no release date in sight.

Another superhero movie stuck in development (somehow) is would hit theaters in 2018. Affleck's involvement has almost completely vanished, leaving Matt Reeves to pick up the pieces and maybe get The Batman in shape to film next year for a 2020 release.

There's also left the project, once again leaving The Crow in a dour state.