Is the Marvel Cinematic Universe truly where the real saving happens, or is there a secret Kryptonite when it comes to equal representation? As Marvel reshuffles its deck for a much-hyped 2026 roster, fans are suiting up with questions about female-led superhero projects still feeling like a rare Infinity Stone. The studio has launched some powerhouse heroines and villains in the past, but fans believe some kind of cosmic force keeps them from headlining the action. Is it an oversight or is there an unspoken multiversal rule keeping them in the shadows? The fans cannot stop questioning and the debate looks far from an endgame.
An X user recently reposted Culture Crave’s compilation poster of the 7 Marvel Cinematic Projects scheduled to release in 2026—Spider-Man Four, Avengers: Doomsday, Daredevil: Born Again Season 2, Punisher Vision, X-Men ‘97 Season 2, and Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man.
However, the share was not about bringing attention to the Marvel roster’s anticipated projects. It was to poke fun at the studio’s decision to steer clear of female-centric superhero projects after The Marvels
fell flat at the box office.
Marvel Studio Executives after The Marvels bombed: https://t.co/JmdVoVAgVQ pic.twitter.com/jSLReqxOzz
— Lunwi is BORN AGAIN!!! (@Lunwi67) March 4, 2025
For those uninitiated about The Marvels,
it was the 33rd Marvel Cinematic Universal flick starring Brie Larson as Carol Denvers/Captain Marvel. However, it was a box-office bomb, grossing only $206 million globally against a budget of $374 million
. The Marvels
was the least lucrative film in the MCU, and among the select few that could not break even in its theatrical lap.
Read More: Vin Diesel Teases A New Groot Movie Preparing Fans For Marvel’s Biggest Space Odyssey Yet
After the Marvel misfire, fans suspect if not entirely believe the studio has hit pause on women-led projects, leaving them to rally for more while mourning the ones that might never be.
Marvel geeks divide over the need for female-centric projects ahead of the 2026 roster
Marvel Studios is ready to pack a punch this year t
hrough 2026. But before the next trip round the sun, the comic geeks are ensuring their voices are heard loud enough. Though the Marvel Cinematic Universe has encountered quite some skepticism over its lackluster releases, The
Marvels
is not the only one who should carry that burden nor the females. While some are split about the suspicion, the others cannot help but agree.
ironheart is coming, shuri is still black panther, the young avengers will be led by kamala khan probably, so… not entirely. But i definitely know what you mean
— mullzy☔ (@NieruD) March 5, 2025
I don’t understand why people say “Nooo, The Marvels was good”
The Marvels was horrible
The problem is that the new writers don’t know how to write woman leads
— Gen Chileno (@Genburth23) March 4, 2025
Literally made this last September 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/yszSYCrKwt
— ✨Kemmo✨ (Training arc) (@Kemmo_Ado) March 4, 2025
A few fans stood in opposition of the opinion, but the user doubled down, stressing how most of the projects mentioned are in the pre-The Marvels era except, of course, Agatha All Along.
Maybe they’re right.
Storytelling first, diversity last.
— Gold Searcher (@searcher_gold) March 4, 2025
Insane that people’s take away is that women are the reason those movies did bad and not the fact that they were poorly written and made. It’s like they’re doing it on purpose. No one sees a bad film with a male lead and goes “It’s because the main character is a man”
— Asim (@Asim3235) March 5, 2025
It’s still a male dominated genre. It was a fools errand to pander after an audience that wasn’t there.
— B Taye (@iBenyamin) March 4, 2025
Meanwhile, some fans thought it was probably the best way to go, giving storytelling the edge over diversity and equivalent representation. Many argued that the new writers’ lack of know-how in crafting female-led stories was the real villain. However, not everyone was rooting for more women-led comic projects, insisting the genre remains a boys’ club at its core.
Do you think there is a lack of women-centric projects in the Marvel Cinematic Universe? What do you think of the 2026 lineup? Let us know in the comments below!