Marvel Studios: Legends | |
---|---|
Genre | |
Based on | Marvel Comics |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
No. of seasons | 2 |
No. of episodes | 46 |
Production | |
Running time | 5–10 minutes |
Production company | Marvel Studios |
Original release | |
Network | Disney+ |
Release | January 8, 2021 – December 15, 2023 |
Related | |
Marvel Studios: Assembled |
Marvel Studios: Legends is an American television docuseries created for the streaming service Disney+, based on the Marvel Comics characters and objects that appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Produced by Marvel Studios, each episode showcases an individual character or object with footage from past MCU films and Disney+ series, highlighting their prominent moments from the MCU.
The series was first announced in December 2020. Marvel Studios: Legends premiered on January 8, 2021, with subsequent episodes releasing shortly before a Disney+ series or special's premiere or a film's initial release. It received positive responses for being helpful to casual viewers of the franchise, but criticism for being a clip show with no new footage or documentary elements. The 26-episode first season covers projects in Phase Four of the MCU, while a second covers projects in Phase Five. Beginning with the second season, the episodes were also made available on Marvel Entertainment's YouTube channel, with the season one episodes eventually being added to YouTube as well.
The series examines individual heroes, villains, moments, and objects from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and how they connect, in anticipation of the upcoming stories that will feature them in the Disney+ series, [1] [2] films, [3] and Special Presentations [4] in Phase Four and Phase Five. [1] [5]
Marvel Studios: Legends was announced in December 2020 as a new series that would revisit characters from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) ahead of their appearances in new feature films and Disney+ series as part of Phase Four of the MCU. [1] The series features short episodes made up of footage from past MCU films that featured the highlighted character, moment, or object. [6] Two episodes were initially announced, with one for Wanda Maximoff and one for Vision ahead of their roles in WandaVision . [1] Upon its announcement, many commentators believed the series would be a clip show and a good way to remind viewers of a character's history and allow casual viewers a quick way to catch-up without watching hours of past MCU content. [7] [8] [9] Chaim Gartenberg at The Verge also likened the series to the one-page recaps Marvel Comics uses to similarly catch readers up for ongoing stories. [7] Collider 's Matt Goldberg felt Marvel Studios: Legends did not cost Disney or Marvel Studios "anything more than some editor's work and a bit of music" to produce given each episode's length and content. [10]
Subsequent Legends episodes were released for Falcon, Winter Soldier, Zemo, and Sharon Carter; [11] [12] Loki and the object the Tesseract; [13] [2] Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow; [3] Peggy Carter, the Avengers Initiative, and the Ravagers group; [14] the Ten Rings; [15] Clint Barton / Hawkeye; [16] Dr. Stephen Strange, Wong, and Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch; [17] Thor, Jane Foster, and Valkyrie; [18] Bruce Banner; [19] T'Challa, Shuri, and the Dora Milaje; [20] and the Guardians of the Galaxy members Mantis and Drax, [4] which concluded the first season. [21]
The second season of Legends began in February 2023, [5] and includes episodes for Scott Lang / Ant-Man, Hank Pym and Janet van Dyne, and Hope van Dyne / Wasp; [22] the remaining Guardians of the Galaxy members Peter Quill, Gamora, Nebula, Rocket, Kraglin, and Groot; [23] [21] Nick Fury, Maria Hill, Talos and the Skrulls, Everett K. Ross, and James Rhodes / War Machine; [24] "Variants" and the TVA; [25] Carol Danvers, Monica Rambeau, and Kamala Khan; [26] and the Guardians of the Multiverse. [27]
Each episode consists entirely of archival footage from previous MCU films and television series. [6]
Season | Phase covered | Episodes | Originally released | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
First released | Last released | ||||
1 | Four [1] | 26 | January 8, 2021 | November 23, 2022 | |
2 | Five [5] | 20 | February 10, 2023 | December 15, 2023 |
No. overall | No. in season | Title | Associated MCU work | Original release date [a] |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | "Wanda Maximoff" | WandaVision [1] | January 8, 2021 |
2 | 2 | "Vision" | ||
3 | 3 | "Falcon" | The Falcon and the Winter Soldier [12] | March 5, 2021 |
4 | 4 | "The Winter Soldier" | March 5, 2021 | |
5 | 5 | "Zemo" | March 12, 2021 | |
6 | 6 | "Sharon Carter" | March 12, 2021 | |
7 | 7 | "Loki" | Loki season 1 [2] | June 4, 2021 |
8 | 8 | "The Tesseract" | ||
9 | 9 | "Black Widow" | Black Widow [3] | July 7, 2021 |
10 | 10 | "Peggy Carter" | What If...? season 1 [14] | August 4, 2021 |
11 | 11 | "The Avengers Initiative" | ||
12 | 12 | "The Ravagers" | ||
13 | 13 | "The Ten Rings" | Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings [15] | September 1, 2021 |
14 | 14 | "Hawkeye" | Hawkeye [16] | November 12, 2021 |
15 | 15 | "Doctor Strange" | Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness [17] | April 29, 2022 |
16 | 16 | "Wong" | ||
17 | 17 | "Scarlet Witch" | ||
18 | 18 | "Thor" | Thor: Love and Thunder [18] | July 1, 2022 |
19 | 19 | "Jane Foster" | ||
20 | 20 | "Valkyrie" | ||
21 | 21 | "Bruce Banner" | She-Hulk: Attorney at Law [19] | August 10, 2022 |
22 | 22 | "King T'Challa" | Black Panther: Wakanda Forever [20] | November 4, 2022 |
23 | 23 | "Princess Shuri" | ||
24 | 24 | "The Dora Milaje" | ||
25 | 25 | "Mantis" | The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special [4] | November 23, 2022 |
26 | 26 | "Drax" | ||
No. overall | No. in season | Title | Associated MCU work | Original release date [a] |
---|---|---|---|---|
27 | 1 | "Ant-Man" | Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania [22] | February 10, 2023 |
28 | 2 | "Wasp" | ||
29 | 3 | "Hank & Janet" | ||
30 | 4 | "Peter Quill" | Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 [23] [21] | April 28, 2023 |
31 | 5 | "Gamora" | ||
32 | 6 | "Nebula" | ||
33 | 7 | "Rocket" | ||
34 | 8 | "Kraglin" | ||
35 | 9 | "Groot" | ||
36 | 10 | "Nick Fury" | Secret Invasion [24] | June 14, 2023 |
37 | 11 | "Maria Hill" | ||
38 | 12 | "Talos & the Skrulls" | ||
39 | 13 | "Everett Ross" | ||
40 | 14 | "James Rhodes" | ||
41 | 15 | "TVA" | Loki season 2 [25] | September 29, 2023 |
42 | 16 | "Variants" | ||
43 | 17 | "Carol Danvers" | The Marvels [26] | November 3, 2023 |
44 | 18 | "Kamala Khan" | ||
45 | 19 | "Monica Rambeau" | ||
46 | 20 | "Guardians of the Multiverse" | What If...? season 2 [27] | December 15, 2023 |
Marvel Studios: Legends released its first two episodes on January 8, 2021, on Disney+. [1] Additional episodes were released before a character's appearance in a Disney+ series, special, or film. [12] [3] The Clint Barton episode debuted as part of Disney+'s "Disney+ Day" event. [16] The "Mantis" and "Drax" episodes were removed from Disney+ shortly after their release on November 23, 2022. It is believed the removal was because of the inclusion of a deleted scene from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 in the "Mantis" episode, where the character was revealed as Peter Quill's sister; this was assumed to be a plot point that would be featured in The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special. [28] Both episodes were later restored. [29] [21]
Episodes for Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania were released on February 10, 2023, on Disney+, beginning the second season of Legends. [22] [5] Those episodes were eventually made available for free on Marvel Entertainment's YouTube channel on February 16, [5] with subsequent season two episodes available on YouTube after their premiere on Disney+. The "Wanda Maximoff" episode was made available on Marvel Entertainment's YouTube channel on August 9, with the remaining season one episodes set to be made available on the channel in the following weeks. [30] [21]
Matt Goldberg at Collider described Legends as "elaborate fan videos that offer cross-promotion" for Marvel, which he did not think was bad but he did wish that the series "offered up something new", such as actors "talking about their characters or offering a fresh teaser for" what was being promoted. He concluded that Legends was "content to be a highly produced recap video". [10] Charlie Ridgely, writing for ComicBook.com , called Legends "incredibly handy" given there had not been any new MCU content in 2020. While conceding viewers already familiar with the highlighted character's stories might not see the need for the episodes since they were "quite literally just a recap of what happened in the movies", he felt it was still "a great refresher" for viewers interested in the new Marvel Disney+ content who "maybe aren't as into the greater MCU... allow[ing] everyone to be on a similar page". [6] Variety 's Caroline Framke felt Marvel was anticipating confusion from casual MCU viewers during their new Disney+ series, and called Legends "pretty helpful" heading into WandaVision. [31] Some viewers were disappointed in the series, expecting a more in-depth documentary with creatives providing interviews rather than a clip show. [32]
In February 2021, fellow Marvel Studios docuseries Marvel Studios: Assembled was announced. Some commentators called Assembled a companion series to Legends since Assembled presents behind-the-scenes material after an MCU film or series. [33] [34] In June 2022, the documentary short A Fan's Guide to Ms. Marvel was released on Disney+ in preparation for the character's debut in the series Ms. Marvel . It featured an exclusive look at the production of the series and interviews from the filmmaking team and star Iman Vellani. [35] Additionally, the first episode of Echo employs flashbacks to help explain Maya Lopez's backstory as well as including her appearances on Hawkeye. [36]
Vision is a fictional character portrayed by Paul Bettany in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) media franchise, based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. Vision is a vibranium-based male android created by Ultron to serve as his body. However, the body is stolen by the Avengers and brought to sentience by Tony Stark and Bruce Banner, who upload the core software of Stark's AI, J.A.R.V.I.S., into the body constructed by Ultron, with energy provided by Thor. Vision subsequently joins the Avengers, kills Ultron, and later develops a romantic relationship with his teammate, Wanda Maximoff. Most of Vision's powers including flight, matter phasing, and energy-based beam attacks, stem from the Mind Stone in his forehead, which also keeps him alive. Vision is killed by Thanos when he removes the Mind Stone to complete the Infinity Gauntlet in order to initiate the Blip. Years later, Vision's body is reactivated via Wanda's magic, albeit initially without his memories and with a different appearance. Additionally, Wanda recreates Vision when she magically forms a false reality in the town of Westview, New Jersey, but this version vanishes when she returns to reality.
WandaVision is an American television miniseries created by Jac Schaeffer for the streaming service Disney+, based on Marvel Comics featuring the characters Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch and Vision. It is the first television series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) produced by Marvel Studios, sharing continuity with the films of the franchise, and is set after the events of the film Avengers: Endgame (2019). It follows Wanda Maximoff and Vision as they live an idyllic suburban life in the town of Westview, New Jersey, until their reality starts moving through different decades of sitcom homages and television tropes. Schaeffer served as head writer for the series, which was directed by Matt Shakman.
What If...? is an American animated anthology television series created by A. C. Bradley for the streaming service Disney+ based on the Marvel Comics series of the same name. It is the fourth television series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) from Marvel Studios, the first animated series from the studio, and the first series produced by Marvel Studios Animation. The series explores alternate timelines in the multiverse that show what would happen if major moments from the MCU films occurred differently. Bradley served as head writer for the first two seasons, with Matthew Chauncey taking over for the third, and Bryan Andrews as the lead director.
Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is a group of American superhero films and television series produced by Marvel Studios based on characters that appear in publications by Marvel Comics. Phase Four features all the Marvel Studios productions released from 2021 through 2022. It is the first phase in the franchise to include television series, alongside television specials marketed as "Marvel Studios Special Presentations", with Marvel Studios developing several event series for the streaming service Disney+ in addition to the feature films that it was already set to produce. Animation in the phase was produced by Marvel Studios Animation. Phase Four began with the series WandaVision, which premiered in January 2021, while the first theatrical film in this phase is Black Widow, which was released in July 2021 by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. The phase concluded with the television special The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special in November 2022. The release schedule of Phase Four was changed several times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Kevin Feige produced every film and executive produced every series and special in this phase, alongside producers Jonathan Schwartz for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Nate Moore for Eternals and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Amy Pascal for Spider-Man: No Way Home, and Brad Winderbaum for Thor: Love and Thunder.
"Filmed Before a Live Studio Audience" is the first episode of the American television miniseries WandaVision, based on Marvel Comics featuring the characters Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch and Vision. It follows the newlywed couple as they try to conceal their powers while living an idyllic suburban life in the town of Westview, New Jersey. The episode is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), sharing continuity with the films of the franchise. It was written by head writer Jac Schaeffer and directed by Matt Shakman.
"Don't Touch That Dial" is the second episode of the American television miniseries WandaVision, based on Marvel Comics featuring the characters Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch and Vision. It follows the couple as they try to conceal their powers while living an idyllic suburban life in the town of Westview, New Jersey. The episode is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), sharing continuity with the films of the franchise. It was written by Gretchen Enders and directed by Matt Shakman.
"Now in Color" is the third episode of the American television miniseries WandaVision, based on Marvel Comics featuring the characters Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch and Vision. It follows the couple as they try to conceal their powers while living an idyllic suburban life in the town of Westview, New Jersey. The episode is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), sharing continuity with the films of the franchise. It was written by Megan McDonnell and directed by Matt Shakman.
"We Interrupt This Program" is the fourth episode of the American television miniseries WandaVision, based on Marvel Comics featuring the characters Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch and Vision. It follows an investigation of the idyllic sitcom life that Maximoff and Vision are living in the town of Westview, New Jersey. The episode is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), sharing continuity with the films of the franchise. It was written by Bobak Esfarjani and Megan McDonnell, and directed by Matt Shakman.
"On a Very Special Episode..." is the fifth episode of the American television miniseries WandaVision, based on Marvel Comics featuring the characters Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch and Vision. It follows the couple as they try to conceal their powers while living an idyllic suburban life in the town of Westview, New Jersey. The episode is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), sharing continuity with the films of the franchise. It was written by Peter Cameron and Mackenzie Dohr, and directed by Matt Shakman.
"All-New Halloween Spooktacular!" is the sixth episode of the American television miniseries WandaVision, based on Marvel Comics featuring the characters Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch and Vision. It follows the couple as they try to conceal their powers while living an idyllic suburban life in the town of Westview, New Jersey. The episode is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), sharing continuity with the films of the franchise. It was written by Chuck Hayward and Peter Cameron and directed by Matt Shakman.
Marvel Studios: Assembled is an American anthology television docuseries of specials created for the streaming service Disney+. Produced by Marvel Studios, each special goes behind-the-scenes of a Marvel Studios Disney+ series or film, particularly those within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), with the creatives, exploring the process of creating each series or film.
"Breaking the Fourth Wall" is the seventh episode of the American television miniseries WandaVision, based on Marvel Comics featuring the characters Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch and Vision. It follows the couple inside the town of Westview, New Jersey, as their idyllic suburban life begins to unravel. The episode is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), sharing continuity with the films of the franchise. It was written by Cameron Squires and directed by Matt Shakman.
"Previously On" is the eighth episode of the American television miniseries WandaVision, based on Marvel Comics featuring the characters Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch and Vision. It follows Maximoff and Agatha Harkness as they explore Maximoff's past to see what led her to create an idyllic suburban life in the town of Westview, New Jersey. The episode is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), sharing continuity with the films of the franchise. It was written by Laura Donney and directed by Matt Shakman.
"The Series Finale" is the ninth episode and series finale of the American television miniseries WandaVision, based on Marvel Comics featuring the characters Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch and Vision. It follows Wanda as she tries to protect the idyllic suburban life and family that she created in the town of Westview, New Jersey. The episode is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), sharing continuity with the films of the franchise. It was written by head writer Jac Schaeffer and directed by Matt Shakman.
"What If... Zombies?!" is the fifth episode of the first season of the American animated television series What If...?, based on the Marvel Comics series of the same name. It explores what would happen if the events of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018) and Avengers: Infinity War (2018) occurred differently, with members of the Avengers becoming zombies and initiating a worldwide zombie apocalypse, while a group of survivors search for a cure. The episode was written by story editor Matthew Chauncey and directed by Bryan Andrews.
Agatha All Along is an American television miniseries created by Jac Schaeffer for the streaming service Disney+, based on Marvel Comics featuring the character Agatha Harkness. A spin-off from the miniseries WandaVision (2021), it is the 11th television series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) produced by Marvel Studios and the first to be released under its Marvel Television label. The series shares continuity with the films of the MCU. Schaeffer served as showrunner and lead director.
Marvel Zombies is an upcoming American animated television miniseries created by Zeb Wells for the streaming service Disney+, based on the Marvel Comics series of the same name. It is intended to be the 16th television series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) from Marvel Studios and is produced by Marvel Studios Animation. The series is set in the alternate timeline in the multiverse introduced in the What If...? episode "What If... Zombies?!" (2021), and follows a group of survivors who must fight against former heroes and villains that have been turned into zombies. Wells serves as head writer and Bryan Andrews directs.
Phase Six of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is a group of American superhero films and television series to be produced by Marvel Studios based on characters that appear in publications by Marvel Comics. Phase Six features all of the Marvel Studios productions set to be released starting from mid-2025 to mid-2027, with Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures distributing the films, while the series release on Disney+. Live-action series are released under Marvel Studios' "Marvel Television" label. The first film in the phase will be The Fantastic Four: First Steps, scheduled for release in July 2025. The release schedule of Phase Six was changed several times due to the 2023 Hollywood labor disputes. Kevin Feige produces every film and executive produces every television series in this phase, alongside Anthony and Joe Russo for Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, and Amy Pascal for the untitled Spider-Man: No Way Home sequel.