List of Mob Cinematic Universe films

Mob Cinematic Universe films
Artwork for "The Infinity Saga Collector's Edition" box set
Based on	Characters published by Marvel Comics DC Comics Mob Comics
Produced by	Freddie Goodwin Ryan Reynolds (DP&W)
Starring	See below
Production company	Mob Productions
Distributed by	Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures (2024–present)
Release date	2024–present
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	Total (4 films): $885 million
Box office	Total (4 films): $2.864 billion

The Mob Cinematic Universe (MCU) features a list of American films and series superhero films produced by Mob Productions based on characters that appear in publications by Marvel Comics, Mob Comics, and DC Comics. The MCU is the shared universe in which all of the films are set. The films have been in production since 2019, and in that time Mob Productions have had multiple films in various stages of development.

The films are written and directed by various individuals and feature large, often ensemble, casts. All entries are produced by Mob Productions, with individual films overseen by separate creative teams depending on tone and scope.

Mob Productions releases its films in grouped story arcs known as “Phases”, a structure inspired by Marvel Studios’ Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The films form a shared fictional continuity referred to as the Mob Cinematic Universe (MCU), combining characters and concepts primarily drawn from Marvel Comics and select DC Comics properties. Distribution responsibilities vary by project and branding, with films marketed under either Marvel Studios, DC, or joint branding where applicable.

Phase One spans from 2026 to 2028 and serves as the foundational chapter of the Mob Cinematic Universe. The phase consists of four confirmed films: Spider-Man: Shadow of the City (2026), Batman: Black Signal (2026), Doctor Strange: Fracture Point (2027), and Justice League: Genesis Protocol (2028). These films introduce the universe’s central heroes, establish its tonal range across street-level, grounded, and cosmic narratives, and culminate in its first large-scale ensemble crossover.

In addition to the confirmed releases, Phase One includes three unannounced projects scheduled for release within the same period: Scarlet Witch: Hexfall (2026), Green Lantern: Beyond the Veil (2027), and World’s Finest (2028). These films were revealed without final release dates and are intended to expand the universe’s supernatural, cosmic, and inter-franchise elements ahead of subsequent phases.

Development

Films and Disney+ series

By September 2012, SOI Studios president Freddie Goodwin entered discussions with Warner Bros. and Mob Productions regarding a potential merger to develop film and television projects under a unified brand. Negotiations were delayed several times due to disagreements between company leadership. During an online presentation in April 2013, Goodwin stated that discussions were ongoing and that progress toward an agreement was being made.

In June 2016, it was publicly announced that SOI Studios had merged with Mob Productions, with Goodwin retaining his position as president. By 2018, industry leaks suggested that Deadpool and Wolverine film projects were in development; Goodwin later confirmed these reports and stated that the films would form part of the first phase of a shared cinematic universe.

In 2020, Ryan Reynolds was announced to reprise his role as Wade Wilson, alongside returning cast members from Deadpool (2016) and Deadpool 2 (2018). Goodwin indicated that the project would adapt elements from the earlier films while targeting an MA15+ rating rather than an R18+ classification. Development on the Deadpool and Wolverine projects continued concurrently, with Reynolds formally confirmed to return in June 2021. By June 2022, the films were being developed as interconnected entries.

At San Diego Comic-Con in 2022, Goodwin confirmed the Phase One slate, which included Doctor Doom, The Fantastic Four, a Deadpool film, a Wolverine film, and a mutant-focused team-up project. Later that year, the Deadpool and Wolverine films were consolidated into a single project titled Deadpool & Wolverine.

Following the critical and commercial failure of Fantastic Four (2015), 20th Century Fox explored alternative approaches to the franchise. In 2017, Seth Grahame-Smith was commissioned to write a new screenplay inspired by Ultimate Fantastic Four, focusing on Franklin and Valeria Richards, while Noah Hawley was hired to develop a separate Doctor Doom project. After The Walt Disney Company acquired 21st Century Fox in March 2019, development on Fox’s Marvel-based projects was suspended and control of the Fantastic Four property transferred to Marvel Studios.

Marvel Studios announced a new Fantastic Four film in 2019, with Jon Watts attached as director in 2020 before departing in April 2022. Later that year, the project was reassigned to Mob Productions for inclusion in the Mob Cinematic Universe. New writers Julianne Crestwood, Marcus V. Ellington, and Eliza Thornhill were hired, and filming concluded in 2023. Mob Productions stated that the film would introduce a third major team into the shared universe.

In June 2019, Goodwin outlined long-term plans for the franchise, projecting multiple additional phases beyond Phase Three. On July 13, 2024, he released a 90-minute public presentation detailing the future of the Mob Cinematic Universe, confirming that two films had completed filming and announcing several projects, including the crossover film The X-Men Chronicles (2027), a solo Doctor Doom film, and The Mutants, which was described as the concluding entry of Phase One and the beginning of the Mutant War Saga.

On December 7, 2024, Goodwin announced that Sunfire x Dazzler: The Mutant Face-Off had been canceled, while Ascendants was delayed to November 23, 2025. On April 10, 2025, he confirmed that the full slates for Phase Two and Phase Three would be unveiled at San Diego Comic-Con later that year.

In early 2026, Goodwin announced that the franchise would be "reset", though the films that were released would become unrelated.

Films

Mob Productions releases its films in groups called "Phases".

Phase One

Main article: Mob Cinematic Universe: Phase One

Film	U.S. release date	Director	Screenwriter(s)	Producer(s)
Deadpool & Wolverine	February 8, 2024	Freddie Goodwin	Freddie Goodwin, Benjamin Knowles, Sara Case, Patrick Reid	Freddie Goodwin & Ryan Reynolds
The Fantastic Four	July 28, 2024	Jackson Miller	Sara Case & Patrick Reid	Freddie Goodwin
Doctor Doom	January 3, 2025	Wilma Zimmerman	Wilma Zimmerman, Myla Salazar, Sara Case, Patrick Reid, Ethan Morland, and Clara Redwood
The Wolverine: Rebirth	March 11, 2025	Wilma Zimmerman
Ascendants	February 12, 2026	Finnian Hawke	Ulysses Black

Phase Two

Main article: Mob Cinematic Universe: Phase Two

Film	U.S. release date	Director	Screenwriter(s)	Producer(s)	Status
Deadpool 2	May 21, 2026	Lyra Stormwind	Natalie Kingsley, Oliver Greenfield, Penelope Frost, Quentin Hart, Rebecca Wells, Samuel Preston	Freddie Goodwin	Post-production
Blade	September 24, 2026	Freddie Goodwin	Oliver Greenwood
Iron Man	TBA	TBA	TBA		Filming
The Fantastic Four: Doomworld	November 26, 2026	TBA	TBA

Future

Film	U.S. release date	Director(s)	Screenwriter(s)	Producer(s)	Status
Captain Marvel	2027–2028	James Gunn	James Gunn, Freddie Goodwin, Ethan Morland	Freddie Goodwin	In development
Untitled Ascendants Sequel	TBA	TBA	Freddie Goodwin & Ryan Reynolds	Freddie Goodwin & Ryan Reynolds

At any given time, Mob Productions has future films planned five to six years out from what they have announced. By April 2014, additional storylines were planned through 2028, with MCU films through 2032 being planned by April 2022.

Captain Marvel

Captain Marvel will be directed by James Gunn whilst the screenplay is currently being written by Gunn, Goodwin and Ethan Morland. Captain Marvel will be released in either 2027 or 2028, with a chance of releasing in a future unannounced phase.

Untitled Ascendants Sequel

The Untitled Ascendants Sequel is in early stages of development and is being written by Goodwin and Reynolds.

Television series

Phase One

Television series of Phase Four

Series	Season	Episodes		Originally released		Network	Showrunner	Status
				First released	Last released
Impulse	1	9		September 10, 2024 (2024-09-10)	November 12, 2024 (2024-11-12)	Disney+	Freddie Goodwin	Released
Ajax	1	4		December 17, 2024 (2024-12-17)	January 14, 2025 (2025-01-14)		Jackson Greene, Freddie Goodwin
Moonknight	1	6		February 18, 2025 (2025-02-18)	April 1, 2025 (2025-04-01)		Freddie Goodwin
Young Justice	1	5		March 7, 2025 (2025-03-07)	April 11, 2025 (2025-04-11)
Crisis on Infinite Earths	1	5		July 18, 2025 (2025-07-18)			Freddie Goodwin, Jackson Greene, Lucas Everett, Maya Thompson

Phase Two

Television series of Phase Five

Series	Season	Episodes		Originally released		Network	Showrunner	Status
				First released	Last released
Black Panther	1	6		April 22, 2026 (2026-04-22)	June 3, 2026 (2026-06-03)	Disney+	James Ponsoldt	Post-production
Spider-Man: Lord of Times	1	8		July 6, 2026 (2026-07-06)			Amy Pascal, Kathleen Kennedy

Series approach

Initial approach to television

Goodwin, the creative lead behind the MCU, has overseen a distinctive approach to integrating television series into the franchise. Beginning in 2021, Mob Productions embraced streaming as a platform for expanding its universe beyond film, with series developed for platforms like Disney+. Goodwin explained that streaming allowed for flexibility in both format and narrative structure. Some series were designed as self-contained miniseries meant to directly set up future films, while others were envisioned as multi-season arcs that ran in parallel with the films, often with long gaps between seasons—drawing comparisons to shows like Game of Thrones and Stranger Things. Goodwin emphasized that each season or miniseries was treated as a cinematic event, generally aiming for around six hours of total content. This structure varied by project—some used six hour-long episodes, while others opted for nine shorter episodes. Budgets typically ranged from $100 million to $150 million, with flagship series exceeding $200 million. The high production costs were largely due to cast salaries and heavy reliance on visual effects. Mob’s early slate of series—such as Impulse and Ajax—followed a film-like structure, giving characters one defined arc across a tightly serialized story. Later shows, like Young Justice and Crisis on Infinite Earths, began experimenting with more episodic storytelling and larger ensemble casts.

Mob Productions initially avoided the traditional "showrunner" model, instead using the term "head writer" and encouraging close collaboration between writers and directors. Directors were often involved from early development and participated in writers’ room discussions, mirroring the creative pipeline used on the MCU films. Junior executives, many of whom had worked on earlier films in production roles, served as liaisons between writers, directors, and Goodwin himself. Final creative authority for each series rested with Goodwin, who remained actively involved in key decisions across the slate. This collaborative but hierarchical approach was described as efficient by series directors and writers. Shows such as Impulse, directed entirely by Goodwin, benefited from a unified vision. Others, like Crisis on Infinite Earths, employed multiple directors with split duties across episodes, driven by scheduling demands and varying story needs. In most cases, the head writer had final script approval before filming began, after which the director assumed greater creative control during production and post. Head writers typically remained involved through post-production to oversee rewrites and continuity adjustments.

Overhaul of television operations

Between 2024 and 2025, the cinematic universe under Goodwin’s leadership underwent a significant transformation in its television strategy. Following a wave of overproduction, inconsistent storytelling, and ballooning costs, Goodwin began to overhaul how television content was developed and delivered. The early approach—where every series was treated as a six-hour cinematic event designed to tie directly into theatrical films—was no longer sustainable. Creative burnout, tonal disarray, and a lack of long-term planning began surfacing across multiple in-development shows. At the height of the problem, projects such as Impulse (Season 2), What If..., Exotic Adventures, Black Panther, Doctor Strange, The Adventures of the Speed Force, Spider-Man: Lord of Times, and Warmachine were all either in limbo or suffering from narrative and logistical misalignment. With multiple timelines colliding, characters overlapping without purpose, and budgets spiraling out of control, the weight of the interconnected universe began to collapse inward.

Goodwin, known for his cinematic ambition, was the first to admit that the strategy was flawed. In a candid internal memo, he described the first wave of series as “an ecosystem where everything fed everything—except the audience.” He noted that viewers were struggling to keep up, creators were restricted by mandatory tie-ins, and stories were being stretched to fit formats they were never meant for. The failure of Exotic Adventures, which reportedly burned through over $120 million before being shut down in post-production, became a symbol of excess. Similarly, Warmachine was shelved after creative teams failed to unify its political thriller premise with the universe’s increasingly multiversal tone. In response, Goodwin initiated a complete pivot: moving away from cinematic-style miniseries toward traditional, showrunner-led television. Each series would now begin with a pilot script and a full series bible, and no production would be greenlit unless the story stood on its own merits—regardless of franchise connections.

At the same time, pressure from Disney intensified. Amid broader cost-cutting across its streaming division, Disney slashed television budgets and demanded a shift toward sustainability. Several projects were halted entirely, while others—like Doctor Strange and Black Panther—were repurposed with smaller scopes and a clearer narrative focus. Goodwin emphasized that spectacle was no longer the goal; story was. In a 2025 interview, he stated, “We were trying to build universes when we hadn’t finished building television. That’s on me.” The shift toward a more traditional model was also inspired by the quiet success of Impulse Season 2, which was developed with a single showrunner, leaner structure, and minimal crossover requirements. Unlike earlier series, it finished on time, under budget, and with strong internal feedback—something few other projects could claim.

By early 2025, Goodwin had implemented new rules: no more “backdoor film setups,” no more six-hour movie formats disguised as television, and no more greenlights based solely on franchise potential. Series like What If... were redesigned as anthology experiments, free from continuity obligations. The Adventures of the Speed Force was rebuilt into a character-focused episodic format, while Spider-Man: Lord of Times was delayed and scaled back to allow room for a restructured arc. From this point forward, each series would live or die by its pilot. If it wasn’t strong enough to stand alone, it wouldn’t be made. Goodwin also announced a hard cap on output: no more than three live-action series would be produced per year, ensuring tighter quality control and more deliberate scheduling.

By May 2025, only a select few projects remained active. Impulse continued forward with a clear path. Doctor Strange was reimagined as a serialized mystical procedural. What If... gained a new creative team. Others were either placed on indefinite hold or absorbed back into the film division for potential reworking. Goodwin delegated day-to-day oversight of television to newly promoted executive Maya Thompson, who was tasked with establishing a “seasonal cadence” that audiences could rely on—replacing the unpredictability and content fatigue that had plagued the early years. With this shift, Goodwin returned his focus entirely to the feature film slate, now confident that the television side had a structure capable of sustaining itself without collapsing under the weight of cinematic expectations.

The reset marked the end of an era defined by ambition and overreach, and the beginning of one grounded in clarity, sustainability, and creative discipline. For Goodwin, it was less about shrinking the universe and more about saving it—one focused season at a time.

Abandoned or paused projects

In February 2025, Freddie Goodwin initiated a decisive restructuring of his cinematic universe’s television slate, marking the largest wave of cancellations and creative pauses since the franchise expanded into streaming. The move followed ongoing cost-cutting directives from Disney and came in response to concerns about quality control, audience retention, and development overload. With too many shows competing for attention and internal resources, Goodwin made the call to eliminate or delay several projects that no longer aligned with the refined long-term vision. Among the casualties was Warmachine, a politically-charged thriller centered on James Rhodes that had struggled to find tonal balance after multiple rewrites. Originally intended to explore the aftermath of global arms trafficking in a post-Ascendants world, the project ballooned in scope and budget, eventually stalling out in early pre-production. With no strong creative direction and increasingly unclear relevance to the wider narrative arc, the series was officially canceled.

Exotic Adventures, an interdimensional road-trip comedy that was being developed as a genre experiment, was also shelved indefinitely. While initial concepts were received enthusiastically for their originality, the series was deemed tonally inconsistent with the current direction of the universe. Its detachment from key characters and core events made it an easy candidate for removal. What If..., initially planned as an anthology extension of alternate universe events, was also canceled. While its animated format allowed for narrative freedom, it suffered from falling viewership and increasing production delays. With the multiversal thread already being covered in other live-action projects, Goodwin confirmed that the series would not return for additional seasons.

Two other projects were placed on indefinite hold rather than outright canceled. Impulse (Season 2), though well-received during its first run, was considered redundant given its thematic overlap with other upcoming content. Insiders noted that while Goodwin respected its potential, the time wasn’t right for continuation. The Adventures of the Speed Force, which had encountered ongoing script and tone problems, was similarly paused to prevent further resource strain. Neither project was ruled out for revival, but neither remains in active development.

In contrast, Black Panther and Spider-Man: Lord of Times were explicitly spared from the cuts. Goodwin identified both as structurally and narratively vital to the post-Ascendants era. Black Panther was undergoing a structural revamp with new writers brought in to tighten continuity and scale, while Lord of Times remained in full development due to its multiversal implications and its role in setting up Phase Three's central arc. The cancellations marked a sobering but necessary correction to the franchise’s rapid expansion into television. Goodwin stated plainly in a press statement: “We greenlit too much, too fast. The lesson now is focus. We’re building stories to last—not to just exist.” The reshaped slate now favors fewer shows, with more oversight, clearer narrative function, and an emphasis on creative sustainability.

Recurring cast and characters

Main article: Mob Cinematic Universe Recurring cast and characters

The Mob Cinematic Universe (MCU) features a large ensemble of recurring characters portrayed by an expansive roster of actors, many of whom appear across multiple films and series. Ryan Reynolds stars as Wade Wilson / Deadpool, a mercenary with accelerated healing and a penchant for breaking the fourth wall. Initially introduced as a solo character, Deadpool later became central to the overarching multiversal storyline. Reynolds also portrays multiple variants of the character, including an unscarred, long-haired version and the canine-inspired Dogpool.

Hugh Jackman reprises his role as James "Logan" Howlett / Wolverine, depicting various versions of the character—including Old Man Logan, Patch, and a 1990s-inspired variant—as part of the multiverse narrative. Other mutants returning from the Fox-era include Aaron Stanford as Pyro, Tyler Mane as Sabretooth, and Jennifer Garner as Elektra. Characters such as Vanessa (Morena Baccarin), Blind Al (Leslie Uggams), Dopinder (Karan Soni), and Colossus (voiced by Stefan Kapičić) also reappear in multiple entries, maintaining continuity with earlier Deadpool installments.

Several major Marvel characters are introduced or reimagined within the MCU. Pedro Pascal portrays Reed Richards / Mister Fantastic, alongside Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm / The Thing—forming the Fantastic Four. Julia Garner appears as Shalla-Bal / Silver Surfer, while Ralph Ineson plays the cosmic entity Galactus. The villainous arc is anchored by Mads Mikkelsen as Victor Von Doom / Doctor Doom, with additional antagonists including Alicia Vikander as Lucia Von Bardas, Christoph Waltz as Mister Sinister, and Barry Keoghan as Arcade.

The mutant storyline expands with Taron Egerton portraying a new variant of Wolverine, joined by Anya Taylor-Joy as Mystique, Paul Mescal as Sabretooth, Sadie Sink as X-23, and Jeremy Allen White as Gambit. Supporting characters include Sophie Thatcher as Rogue, Clancy Brown as Colonel Stryker, and Jeffrey Wright as Professor Charles Xavier.

The Ascendants arc within the MCU introduces an original team of heroes and antagonists. Chris Hemsworth stars as Kael Thorne / Stormborne, a lightning-wielding tactician burdened by leadership. Vanessa Kirby appears as Elira Voss / Mirage, a stealth operative who manipulates light. Letitia Wright plays Nyari Sol, a technopath capable of communicating with machines. Paul Rudd portrays Milo Creel / Skipjack, a rogue time-runner with humor masking trauma. Sebastian Stan returns as Dax Riven / Hollow, a bio-engineered soldier stripped of emotion, now seeking redemption.

Florence Pugh joins the cast as Syla Ryn / Widowthorn, a lethal assassin trained by a hidden order who uses venom-coated blades and psychological manipulation. Simu Liu plays Korran Sha / Skyburn, a volatile exiled prince wielding kinetic heat energy. Danny Ramirez portrays Jet Calder, an anti-gravity aerial specialist and reconnaissance expert. Pedro Pascal also appears as Solon Rhade / Architect, a master strategist with the power to construct physical structures from thought. Robert Downey Jr. plays Virex, the film’s central antagonist—an ancient being who seeks to collapse all timelines into a singular, logical order.

Release

Theatrical disttribution

The first film of Phase One, Deadpool & Wolverine was released on February 8, 2024 to all states at the same time. The second film, The Fantastic Four, was released on July 28, 2024. The third film, Doctor Doom, was released on January 3, 2025. The fourth film, The Wolverine: Rebirth, was released on March 11, 2025. Ascendants, the last film of Phase One and fifth film overall in the MCU was released on February 12, 2026.

The first film of Phase Two, and sixth film overall, Deadpool 2, is scheduled to be released on May 21, 2026.

Disney+ releases

All films from Phase One will become available on Disney+ one month following their release in cinemas. Deadpool & Wolverine became available on Disney+ on March 8, 2024. The Fantastic Four became available on Disney+ on September 21, 2024. Doctor Doom became available on Disney+ on February 12, 2025. The Wolverine: Rebirth became available on Disney+ on June 28, 2025. Ascendants became available on Disney+ on March 27, 2026.

Disney+ serves as the exclusive streaming platform for all television series within the universe. Impulse premiered on September 10, 2024, and concluded on November 12. Ajax followed, airing from December 17, 2024, to January 7, 2025. Moonknight premiered on February 18, 2025, and wrapped up on April 1, while Young Justice aired from March 7 to April 4, 2025. The final series of Phase One, Crisis on Infinite Earths, premiered on July 18, 2025 all at once.

Phase Two will feature two additional series (that have been revealed), Black Panther, is scheduled to premiere on April 22 and will consist of 6 episodes until June 3, 2026. The second series, Spider-Man: Lord of Times, is scheduled to be released all at once on July 6, 2026 with 8 episodes.

Reception

Box office performances

Film	U.S release date	Box office grosses			Budget	Ref
		Domestic	International	Worldwide
Phase One
Deadpool & Wolverine	February 8, 2024	$230,676,069	$330,400,000	$561,076,069	$80 million
The Fantastic Four	July 28, 2024	$195,000,000	$301,740,000	$496,740,000	$150 million
Doctor Doom	January 3, 2025	TBA	TBA	$0	$220 million
The Wolverine: Rebirth	March 11, 2025	TBA	TBA	$0	$60 million
Ascendants	February 12, 2026	TBA	TBA	TBA	$375 million
Phase Two
Deadpool 2	May 21, 2026	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA
Iron Man	July 28, 2026	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA
Blade	September 10,	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA
The Fantastic Four: Doomworld	October 19, 2026	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA
Phase Three
Total		$1,097,861,934	$1,767,087,085	$2,864,949,019	$885,000,000

Critical and public response

Each film is linked to the "Critical response" section of its article.

Critical and public response of Mob Cinematic Universe films

Film	Critical		Public
	Rotten Tomatoes	Metacritic	CinemaScore	PostTrak
Phase One
Deadpool	87% (320 reviews)	80 (40 reviews)	B+	—
The Fantastic Four	—	—	—	—
Doctor Doom	—	—	—	—
The Wolverine: Rebirth
The Mutants	—	—	—	—
Phase Two
Sunfire x Dazzler: The Mutant Face Off	—	—	—	—
Deadpool 2	—	—	—	—
Adventures with Wolverine	—	—	—	—
The Four War	—	—	—	—
Phase Three
TBA	—	—	—	—
TBA	—	—	—	—
TBA	—	—	—	—
TBA	—	—	—	—
TBA	—	—	—	—

Accolades and critism

Main article: List of accolades received by Mob Cinematic Universe films

The films of the Mob Cinematic Universe have been nominated for numerous awards. However, it has caused the creation of hundreds of memes. The franchise has been given negative reviews for being too much like the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Potential/Cancelled projects

These projects were in development as films from Mob Productions before being either cancelled:

• Sunfire x Dazzler: The Mutant Face-Off: Cancelled on December 7, 2024.