Cancelling or shelving an unreleased show or movie is already common in Hollywood but there has never been more what-ifs with none other than Marvel projects in the last two decades.
Many were just concept titles, while some were fully-made titles that were suddenly shelved as a tax write-off. For what reasons? It depends on who you ask.
Here are just some of the biggest projects Marvel Entertainment, and Disney in some manner, let go over the history.
'Gambit'
The topic of Channing Tatum playing the charismatic Remy Etienne LeBeau (Gambit) has been circulating since the release of "X-Men Origins: Wolverine."
The unproduced film is supposed to be part of the X-Men franchise reboot under 20th Century Fox but was never fully fleshed out.
"Quantum of Solace" director Josh Zetumer was hired to lead the movie, following Gambit's origins by the character's creator Chris Claremont.
Even now, many still assume that Tatum will soon announce his role as Gambit despite looking much older than he was when was first cast over 10 years ago.
'Eternals Series'
Before Disney+ gathered all of Marvel's shows on its platform, Marvel used to partner with ABC for several series projects made for television.
Among those titles were the "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.," "Daredevil," "Luke Cage," and more.
Many of these projects went relatively under the radar for most Marvel fans so it comes as no surprise that many of these projects were canceled later on.
However, some projects were canceled even before the first episode was ever released.
John Ridley (12 Years a Slave) revealed that he has written a for-television series of "The Eternals." A much better version of the movie of the same name Marvel released in 2021.
It is uncertain how the story of intergalactic beings with reality-breaking powers is supposed to be adapted into a much lower-budget TV series. However, Ridley insists his work is the "good version."
'Spider-Man'
These are actually two Spider-Man projects that were discarded after the last installations flopped in the theaters.
There was Sam Raimi's "Spider-Man 4" with Tobey Maguire that was eventually canceled to make way for the reboot "Amazing Spider-Man" featuring Andrew Garfield.
That was also canceled too after the second film with the third part supposed to tackle the symbiote storyline.
At least we got Maguire and Garfield back in "Spider-Man: No Way Home" as variants of the titular hero who is currently played by Tom Holland.
However, it still leaves a bitter taste in the mouth that their stories will probably not continue anymore after the film with both directors of the two previous iterations not eager enough to take the helm again.
'Black Panther 2'
Yes, there is the "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" as a sequel to the 2018 film.
However, we are talking about the "Black Panther" script/film meant before Chadwick Boseman, who plays the role of T'Challa, died of colon cancer in 2020.
There is not much known about the film since it was announced a few months before the pandemic which further delayed its release.
The only similar thing with the planned movie and the theatrical release we have seen is the title of Black Panther being passed to a successor, either to his sister Shuri or to his supposed son like it does in the final version.
'Inhumans'
The counterpart franchise to X-Men is supposed to have its own movie set to release as part of Marvel Phase 3 in 2018.
It was promised to become a big franchise on its own and would "further refine and expand what the Marvel Cinematic Universe is all about," according to Marvel chief Kevin Feige.
What we got is a subpar, messy made-for-TV show that was immediately cancelled after one season. Meanwhile, X-Men was revived after a soft reboot with "The Days of Future Past."
It is uncertain why the "Inhumans" film was ever canceled but the repeated delays in productions might hint at an internal disagreement between producers and casts.
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