Last week, the unthinkable was announced about Marvel Studios: Kevin Feige and the company are not planning on having their usual Saturday evening panel at San Diego Comic-Con's hallowed Hall H in 2025.
The thought is that the decision to pass on the nerd utopia is due to the impending "Dunesday" next December. The delay of Avengers: Doomsday to December 2026 means that the studio will got for a whole year without any movies to promote at the event (this summer's The Fantastic Four: First Steps releases just ahead of SDCC and the next release won't be until Sony's Spider-Man: Brand New Day next summer), so it's thought that they decided to hold off until next year when they could promote the same movies much closer to their actual release dates.
Among the immediate objective thoughts among fans is "Why would they?" Since Iron Man soared onto the stage in 2007, Marvel Studios has taken full advantage of blessing the fans in Hall H. Between then and now (outside of the COVID-19 years), Marvel has only not taken center stage in 2011, 2015, and 2018. Following the stunt last year of Robert Downey, Jr., unmasking and causing a global meltdown, there's nothing to top following that fantastic moment. "New mask, same task!"
For geeks, nerds and dorks, that saying should top the AFI list of top quotes ever. It was remarkable!
While the company will have a presence at the 2025 Comic-Con for comics, games, and some live events playing off what will be the already screened The Fantastic Four: First Steps, someone else will get to step up in Hall H.
To be clear, Marvel Studios won't be filling Hall H, but Disney will probably still have a presence since TRON: Ares and Avatar: Fire and Ash may have something to promote. In 2026, there's that Mandalorian and Grogu combo platter, but they won't miss 2026 Comic-Con.
For the comic universe, the question is not "who," but rather "What will DC do to fill this gifted void?"
Will the real DC Studios please stand up?
James Gunn is no stranger to making a big splash at Comic-Con, and with no Marvel Studios to compete in Hall H, Warner Bros. needs to step up and make a name for the about-to-launch DC Universe.
DC Studios and Warner Bros. both have ample reasons to tap dance on center stage and steal the show. Of course, that is easier said than done if you're on the WB lot of shame. At the time of Comic-Con, Superman will have been on screen for two weeks. There may be—please, say there will be—a solid post-credit scene to get the fans clamoring for what's next.
Outside of the "Justice Gang," there are plenty of reasons to celebrate a dynamic slate as DC Studios has plenty of upcoming titles to showcase.
- Peacemaker Season 2 (August 21, 2025)
- Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow (June 26, 2026)
- Clayface (September 11, 2026)
Unfortunately, it sounds like the studio plans on just showcasing Peacemaker season 2 this year. That's undoubtedly fantastic news for all of us Peacemaker fans, but given that it will mark the studio's first SDCC and the fact that Supergirl will miss next year's Comic-Con (as it will already be released), there was a bigger opportunity here to launch the franchise in front of its most passionate fans.
Is that enough to fill Hall H? If they want to delve further in the future, DC Studios can discuss and tease of its many, many, many upcoming and confirmed titles beyond next year:
- The Batman Part II (October 1, 2027)
- Dynamic Duo (Animated Robin Origin Movie) (June 30, 2028)
- Lanterns TV Series
- The Brave and the Bold
- Creature Commandos Season 2
- The Authority
- Swamp Thing
- Teen Titans Movie
- Bane/Deathstroke Movie
- Waller
- Booster Gold TV Series
- Paradise Lost TV Series
- Blue Beetle Animated Series
- Harley Quinn and Other Animated Titles
Setting aside DC Studios, Warner Bros could make room to promote The Bride [of Frankenstein] (March 2026), Lee Cronin's The Mummy (April 17, 2026), or Dune: Messiah (December 2026).
Whatever it is, we can only hope that Warner Bros. and DC Studios put togerther something really good. It just has to be, right?
SDCC is set to take place from July 24-27, 2025, in San Diego, California.