Marvel Studios has been known to bring down the house at the San Diego Comic-Con every year, with Saturday night showcases of the studio's latest upcoming movies - as well as huge surprise reveals of new projects and/or characters to come. However, SDCC has been in a state of flux the last few years, with TV grabbing a bigger foothold every year, and several studios scaling down their presentation to more modest showcases, with more modest expectations on what a big headline at Comic-Con actually translates to in terms of box office returns. With Marvel Studios coming up on a somewhat work-heavy year (Avengers: Infinity War in production along with Black Panther; Captain Marvel on deck next), not to mention a competing new July date for Disney's own D23 Expo, it's unclear if the studio will be coming to the 'Con this year. Will Marvel Studios Attend San Diego Comic-Con 2017?

Disney is Its Own Universe The first thing to note is how Disney has played its long game since Bob Iger took over as CEO in 2005. The studio has added Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars to its ranks, and made bold expansions into the Asian market. These are not the moves of a company trying to integrate itself into the larger geek culture - they are the moves of a company trying to become the epicenter of its own culture. Establishing a sub-culture these some kind of gathering that celebrates and promotes that culture - and that's exactly what D23 can do for Disney and its widening range of properties. Marvel Studios has been scaling back its presence at the 'Con the last few years - so it wouldn't be surprising if there wasn't a decisive separation at last, this year. prevnext

There But Not There Of course, Disney doesn't need to vacate Comic-Con entirely - as New York Comic-Cons and some slower SDCC years have clearly shown, Marvel Studios can still have a presence at a 'Con, without doing something as big as a major Hall H presentation. There are interactive displays they can unveil (something like the Infinity Gauntlet and/or a display of the battle world the film will partially take place in), and new footage or trailers that can be run on loop in the main show room, and released to the public online at the same time. Cast signings, special screening events... plenty of ways to get the loyal 'Con fanbase psyched, while still keeping D23 as the venue for the big show. prevnext