Marvel Zombies just got some significant updates out of D23. Originating in a comic book storyline from Ultimate Fantastic Four, Marvel Zombies became a major storyline of its own for Marvel Comics, with a critically acclaimed miniseries running from 2005 to 2006, subsequently spawning multiple sequels, spin-offs, and merchandising. Fans got their first glimpse of Marvel Zombies in Season 1 of What If…? titled “What If… Zombies?!” on September 8, 2021, before Marvel Zombies was officially confirmed as its own animated series in development at Disney+ Day on November 2021.
During the Marvel Animations panel at D23 on Saturday, it was confirmed that Marvel Zombies will be a four-episode event with a TV-MA rating (via Empire Magazine.) It has also been confirmed that the series is a follow-up to the What If…? episode, with a clip showing Shang-Chi, Wenwu, and Katy fighting off zombie hordes with the Ten Rings before flashing forward five years into an apocalyptic future.
DiscussingFilm also detailed footage from the event that put a spotlight on Shang-Chi, who, after he is bitten by a zombie, is saved from death when his father, Wenwu, gives him the Ten Rings to hold off the zombie infection. Shang-Chi, Katy, and FBI agent Jimmy Woo from Ant-Man and the Wasp and WandaVision are seen teaming up to fight a Mad Max-style Skrull Biker Gang. During the D23 Marvel Animation presentation, Bryan Andrews came out on stage and said, “People love their zombies, and so does Brad [Winderbaum], and so does Kevin [Feige].”
Marvel Zombies Will Rise Again
The news that Shang-Chi will be a major player in Marvel Zombies also comes after confirmation that the character will appear in What If…? Season 3. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings hit theaters just as What If…? Season 1 was airing, with the Marvel Zombies-inspired episode airing just five days after the movie opened. While no sequel to Shang-Chi has been confirmed yet, the character has already been said to have a big role to play in the future of the franchise, and it seems that includes its animated offerings.
Marvel Zombies will feature many other Phase 4 and Phase 5 characters, as many of the Infinity Saga heroes were already shown to have become zombies themselves in the What If…? episode. It was confirmed at a previous D23 that Ms. Marvel will also appear, with Iman Villani returning to voice the character. It will also include Eternals, Kate Bishop from Hawkeye, and various members of the Thunderbolts* cast of characters, including Yelena Belova, Red Guardian, and Ghost.
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While no premiere date is set for Marvel Zombies, there is a good chance they will hold off on releasing it until 2025 to coincide with the Halloween season. Marvel released Werewolf by Night in October 2022, and Agatha All Along will air from September 18, 2024, through October to capitalize on the Halloween season. With four episodes, Marvel Zombies could be Marvel’s 2025 Halloween event, airing through October until the final episode just before Halloween.
