Goodbye MCU Franchise, Disney Reportedly Cancels Series

As the Marvel Cinematic Universe charges into Phase Six with The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025), one long-running part of the franchise appears to have been quietly retired, without any of the usual fanfare.

On July 25, 2025, the MCU turns the page with the long-awaited introduction of the Fantastic Four. Matt Shakman’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps stars Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Marvel’s First Family. Their arrival kicks off the next major phase for Marvel Studios and is expected to reshape the future of the franchise.

This follows the finale of Phase Five, which ended with the release of Jake Schreier’s Thunderbolts* (2025) in May. That film bridges the gap into the next era with the titular squad becoming the New Avengers. This sets up an imminent conflict with Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson stepping into leadership as the new Captain America, assembling his own version of the iconic team.

Meanwhile, Avengers: Doomsday, originally slated for May 2026, has been moved to a December release. That delay has also pushed Avengers: Secret Wars to the holiday season in 2027. Both are in the hands of directors Joe and Anthony Russo.

But while Marvel’s theatrical releases continue to dominate the calendar, Disney+ is losing one of its most unique offerings. According to TV Line’s Matt Webb Mitovich, Marvel Studios: Assembled—the docuseries that pulled back the curtain on the MCU—has no new episodes in the pipeline.

“I love me a Marvel Studios: Assembled episode, too,” Mitovich said. “Alas, I’m hearing that there are no new episodes of the Disney+ franchise planned at this time.”

The show launched during Phase Four and was well received for giving fans a closer look at the people and ideas behind the MCU. Whether it was WandaVision’s genre-hopping design or the emotional crafting of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), Assembled became a key part of how fans experienced the franchise.

Its disappearance from the release slate leaves a noticeable gap. Unlike Marvel’s films, which often include behind-the-scenes extras on physical media, Disney+ exclusives don’t receive the same treatment. With Daredevil: Born Again and other upcoming series not expected to have Assembled coverage, fans lose a valuable connection to the creative process.

The series wasn’t just about trivia or Easter eggs—it helped foster a deeper appreciation for the hard work behind the spectacle. With Assembled no longer in production, that behind-the-scenes access may be gone for good.

While no official reason has been offered, the decision may stem from behind-the-scenes complications on several productions. Daredevil: Born Again was heavily reworked mid-production, while Captain America: Brave New World reportedly underwent significant reshoots. Stitching together documentary content from drastically different creative phases could easily lead to mixed messaging—or worse, expose internal friction.

Marvel’s focus has always been on controlled storytelling, both onscreen and off. A documentary series showing unfiltered production hurdles could run counter to the brand’s image.

During Phase Four, almost every major Marvel project—from The Falcon and the Winter Soldier to Moon Knight and even What If…?—got an Assembled episode. But the pace slowed during Phase Five. Though specials for Secret Invasion and 2023’s Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania did release, others were noticeably absent.

In the end, Marvel Studios: Assembled was more than just supplemental content—it was a bridge between fans and filmmakers. Its quiet exit may be strategic, but it also feels like the loss of a unique space where the creative process took center stage.