The trailer for Marvel Studios' next Disney+ series confirmed that it remains non-canonical to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and will once again follow its own path. Most Disney+ MCU shows have been set on Earth-616, either featuring established characters or characters with potential to appear in the wider universe. However, there have been exceptions to this rule, namely Marvel's animated series, which have explored other corners of the Multiverse, unencumbered by MCU canon.
Marvel Studios and Disney+ recently released the debut trailer for the second season of Marvel Animation's X-Men '97, confirming that it will be the next series from Marvel Studios, which will debut Wednesday, July 1, and that it will once again be set outside of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) canon.
Despite the events of the first season's finale, which scattered the X-Men across time, it appears they remained on their Earth. So, while X-Men '97 returns as part of Phase Six and on the way to Avengers: Judgment Day, fans shouldn't expect any "Invasions" or multiversal crossovers.
While X-Men '97 isn't part of MCU canon, it feels more relevant than ever this year as Marvel Studios ramps up its focus on mutants. In addition to a standalone animated series, Spider-Man: New Day could feature Jean Grey, Avengers: Doomsday will bring back Fox's X-Men, and work is underway behind the scenes on a brand-new reboot directed by Jake Schreier.
Explaining the canon and non-canon of upcoming Marvel series on Disney+
Season 5 of the Marvel animated series Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends«
The fifth season of the animated series "Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends" is just around the corner: it premieres on July 13th on Disney Jr., and the following day on Disney+. As usual, this preschool series is completely disconnected from the Marvel Cinematic Universe canon, sticking to the existing storyline and not portraying its characters too similarly to those of other shows.
Season 5, as usual, brings new familiar characters to the fun and friendly world of Marvel, including a young version of Mister Fantastic and Guardians of the Galaxy icons Rocket and Groot.
With Pedro Pascal's Reed Richards set to play a major role in Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars, which will also feature various versions of Spider-Man, this may not be the last time the superhero encounters the Fantastic Four in the near future.
Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, Season 2
There was a time when Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man was developed as an integral part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and a prequel to Marvel Studios' Captain America: Civil War, which was supposed to tell the origins and early life of Peter Parker, played by Tom Holland.
However, plans changed, and last year's first season shifted to an alternate universe, similar to but not identical to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. For example, the airport battle from Captain America: Civil War was shown on television, but without Spider-Man.
If "Your Neighborhood Spider-Man" continues in its current vein, future seasons will offer new perspectives on Thanos and the Snap. In the second season, fans will be able to see more of Charlie Cox's Daredevil and get acquainted with villains that will appear in "Spider-Man: New Day," such as Scorpion and Tombstone.
VisionQuest
While much of Marvel Studios' upcoming Disney+ content is non-canonical, or at least optional, VisionQuest has all the ingredients to be a major part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's story in the lead-up to Doomsday and Secret Wars.
VisionQuest is not only a direct sequel to two previous Disney+ shows—WandaVision and Agatha All Along—but also continues the saga of the longtime Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero, Vision, played by Paul Bettany. While this synthezoid Avenger isn't yet part of the Doomsday or Secret Wars cast, his children could play a significant role.
The Young Avengers team will reportedly play a key role in the conclusion of the Multiverse saga, likely joined by Joe Locke's Wiccan and Ruaridh Mollica's Speed. Given Mollica's confirmed involvement and reports of Locke appearing in VisionQuest, this series could indirectly set the stage for Marvel Studios' next Avengers films (or at least Secret Wars), which will be released on October 14.
Daredevil: Rebirth, Season 3
While the canonicity of Netflix's original Defenders saga was questionable, Daredevil: Rebirth made it clear that the entire mythology of New York's street gangs is and always has been part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
However, the Disney+ reboot hasn't yet been much more closely tied to the wider Marvel Cinematic Universe than the Netflix series. Showrunner Dario Scardapane explained that "Born Again" exists in its own right. «"universe"» Marvel Cinematic Universe, although its heroes and villains may «"rest"» and participate in other projects.
The third season of Born Again, set for release in March 2027, will face significant time constraints, as it falls between Marvel Studios' next Avengers films. However, it will likely ignore Doomsday's multiversal chaos to focus on its own events, though a few references to Spider-Man: New Day or Punisher: The Last Kill are entirely possible.
Marvel Zombies, Season 2
Although Marvel Zombies began in a world not too dissimilar to Earth-616, the zombie apocalypse left behind a vastly different reality, one in which many fan-favorite characters have already perished. The upcoming second season will undoubtedly continue to explore the world of survivors and introduce new takes on beloved Marvel Cinematic Universe characters.
Interestingly, the first season of "Marvel Zombies" ended with a nod to the "WandaVision" trilogy, as the Queen of the Dead, played by Elizabeth Olsen, trapped the survivors of the apocalypse in a completely new Conjuring. Many speculate that these same talents will soon become part of Doctor Doom's plan to create a Battleworld within Doomsday.
After its first season, Marvel Zombies also portrayed young heroes like Kamala Khan as saviors of the world, a theme that, as previously discussed, could expand into the main MCU canon with the release of Secret Wars. So, while this epic zombie story develops along its own path, it seems to share thematic similarities with what's to come.
«Miracle Man, Season 2
Like Daredevil: Rebirth, Wonder Man season 2 remains firmly rooted in the hallowed Marvel Cinematic Universe timeline, albeit somewhat disconnected. The Wonder Man team has promised that season 2 won't be «"a completely different series.". And the focus remains on the friendship between the two actors.
This clearly shows that fans shouldn't expect Yahya Abdul-Mateen II's Simon Williams to suddenly transform into his on-screen counterpart, Wonder Man, and become a superhero worthy of joining the Avengers in the next two years.
There's an opportunity to further tie Wonder Man into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, perhaps by inviting William Metzger, played by Tramell Tillman, from Marvel Studios' Spider-Man: New Day, to join Damage Control. If rumors are true and Damage Control does hunt mutants, it's possible Williams himself will have the X gene.