Marvel Studios & DC Films Reportedly Ditching Comic-Con's 2021 Summer Event

Marvel and DC were both confirmed to be skipping San Diego Comic-Con 2021.

By Richard Nebens Updated:
Michael Keaton  Benedict Cumberbatch Comic Con at Home logo

After arguably the most disappointing year in the history of the entertainment industry, blockbuster movies are coming back to theaters and bringing fans together once again.

Currently, the comic book movie genre is preparing for a huge summer that will start with Marvel Studios’ Black Widow coming to theaters and Disney+, continuing with three other movies later in 2021. DC will rejoin the fray as well in just under a month with director James Gunn’s work on The Suicide Squad coming on August 6.

In terms of other fan events, both Disney and Warner Bros. are well known for bringing their most exciting upcoming work to numerous conventions, most notably, events like San Diego Comic-Con. Unfortunately, the events of the past year forced this comic-con to go completely virtual, which will continue in 2021.

Although fans will still have the chance to experience SDCC virtually, it looks to be happening without two of the industry’s most prominent names this year.

HEAVY HITTERS SKIPPING COMIC-CON

Deadline has reported that both Disney's Marvel Studios and Warner Bros.' DC Films will be skipping the San Diego Comic-Con virtual event, Comic-Con@Home, in 2021. No explanation was given for the decision by either studio for missing the festivities which will take place from July 23 to July 25.

The live edition of San Diego Comic-Con will be Nov. 26-28, the post Thanksgiving frame, although it's unclear if Marvel or DC will make an appearance here. When reached Warner Bros. and Disney’s Marvel provided no comment.

NO BULLETS FOR THE BIG GUNS

This is certainly a shocking move for arguably the two biggest names that usually come to conventions like this, although it may not be a disaster looking at both teams' slates. Both Disney and Warner Bros. have dozens of movies and/or TV shows set for release through 2023, and they both started promoting future entires at their own special events.

Marvel delivered over 20 minutes of news announcements during their Disney Investor Day presentation while DC delivered exciting information on their future with DC FanDome. Although both of them exceeded their expectations in this regard, San-Diego Comic-Con still remains the premiere fan event for everything coming in entertainment.

Both Marvel and DC are anxiously awaiting the world's full return to normalcy so that live events like movie premieres and comic-cons can become in-person events again. Hopefully, with both studios not making an appearance at the virtual festivities this year, it will only ramp up the hype that much further for their comeback in 2022.

- About The Author: Richard Nebens
Richard Nebens joined The Direct in March 2020, now serving as the site's Senior Writer and also working as an assistant editor and content creator. He started his journalism career as a hobby in 2019 and is passionate about sharing news and stories from the entertainment industry, especially comic book movies, comedy, and sci-fi. Richard looks to expand his knowledge about movies and TV every day, and he is eager to stay locked into the latest releases and breaking news at every opportunity.