Marvel Reportedly Eyeing CHAMPIONS and STRANGE ACADEMY as MCU Movies Instead of Disney+ Series

Marvel Studios has spent the last few years reshaping how it develops and releases projects, and it looks like that strategy could lead to an unexpected future for two long-discussed titles. According to a new report, Champions and Strange Academy may no longer be headed to Disney+ at all.

Instead, Marvel is reportedly considering turning both into theatrical films. The report comes from insider Daniel Richtman, who says that both projects, originally developed as streaming series, are now being evaluated as feature films.

Marvel Studios hasn't confirmed the report, but it would certainly line up with the studio's current direction. Marvel has been in a constant state of evolution over the past several years.

After Bob Iger stepped down as Disney CEO in February 2020, Bob Chapek took over and oversaw a massive expansion of Marvel's output across theaters and Disney+. That approach resulted in an unprecedented wave of movies and series, but it also stretched Marvel's creative resources across too many productions.

Along the way, the studio released some of its most divisive projects and experienced its first theatrical disappointments.

When Iger returned as CEO in November 2022, Marvel shifted gears. The focus became quality over quantity, and that philosophy has already reshaped the studio's theatrical slate. Now it appears that same thinking could be changing the future of Marvel's live-action television lineup as well.

Strange Academy had previously been in development as a Disney+ series centered on Wong, played by Benedict Wong, running a school that trains young sorcerers. The project was paused in February 2025 alongside Nova and Terror, Inc.

Champions has had an even more winding journey. It originally began life years ago as a Young Avengers movie before evolving into a Disney+ series. As more of the MCU's younger heroes grew older, the project was reportedly reworked and renamed Champions. Despite years of speculation, though, the series never entered production.

If both projects do make the leap to the big screen, it would continue a noticeable shift in Marvel's priorities. The studio's live-action Disney+ lineup has become surprisingly small heading into the second half of 2026.

VisionQuest, which wraps up the trilogy that began with WandaVision and continued through Agatha All Along, is set to premiere on Disney+ on October 14. Meanwhile, Daredevil: Born Again is already in pre-production on its third season, which is expected to arrive in March 2027.

Beyond those two shows, Marvel hasn't officially announced any additional live-action Disney+ series.

The situation surrounding Wonder Man only reinforces the idea that Marvel has significantly reworked its television strategy. Despite being renewed for a second season in March 2026, Disney later reversed that decision just months afterward, even though contracts had been signed and the season premiere script was completed.

Director Destin Daniel Cretton has since revealed he never received a clear explanation, saying it was simply a sudden internal decision between Disney and Marvel.

Animation, however, continues to move full speed ahead. Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man was renewed through a third season before its first episode even premiered, with Season 2 expected later this year.

X-Men '97 has already secured a fourth season, and producer Larry Houston has expressed hope that the revival can eventually match or even surpass the original animated series' five-season run.

Even Marvel Zombies, despite receiving mixed reviews during its debut season, has already been renewed for a second season that's currently in production.

Looking at the bigger picture, turning Champions and Strange Academy into movies actually makes a lot of sense. Marvel seems much more interested in making theatrical releases feel like major events rather than spreading its biggest ideas across streaming.

Projects that have spent years sitting on the shelf might have a better chance of moving forward if they're reimagined as films.

Out of the two, Champions is definitely the one that feels more exciting. The MCU has spent years introducing younger heroes like Kate Bishop, Kamala Khan, Cassie Lang, America Chavez, Billy Maximoff, Tommy Maximoff, and others.

Bringing those characters together in a well-crafted ensemble movie could finally pay off all of that setup. Of course, it would need the right creative team. A great script and a filmmaker with a clear vision could turn Champions into something genuinely fun instead of just checking another box on Marvel's release calendar.

Strange Academy, on the other hand, doesn't feel like it would be at the top of Marvel's priority list if the studio is truly being selective about which projects move forward.

The concept certainly has potential, especially with Wong serving as a mentor, but compared to everything else Marvel has in development after Avengers: Secret Wars, it doesn't immediately stand out as a project that demands a theatrical release.

For now, this remains an unconfirmed report, but it certainly fits the direction Marvel Studios appears to be heading. It’ll be interesting to see if anything happens with this projects.