Overview
Since the first Iron Man film in 2008, Marvel has trained superhero fans well. Notching up 33 movies in its enormous cinematic universe with 2023's The Marvels and showing zero signs of stopping, the comic book company has basically taken over the big screen, with this year delivering Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, too — and, as always, there's plenty more flicks on the way.
Marvel hasn't just taken over picture palaces. Via Disney+, the small screen is also home to many a MCU story, including Secret Invasion and season two of Loki in 2023. Keen to see your favourite spandex-clad crime-fighters try to save the world in person as well? Along with splashing Marvel's heroes and villains across every screen it can find, that's also coming — and soon.
Marvel Universe LIVE! is exactly what it seems — and if it sounds familiar, that's because it was meant to head Down Under in 2020, but then the pandemic hit. So, when it makes the trip to Australia in April 2024, it'll be unveiling its show to Aussie audiences for the first time.
The production takes more than 20 characters such as Spider-Man, The Avengers and the Guardians of the Galaxy, teaming them up on stage and letting audiences marvel (pun intended) at their exploits. Featuring everyone from Iron Man, Thor, Black Panther and the Hulk to Captain America, Doctor Strange and Black Widow, it tasks the beloved superheroes with facing off against some of Marvel's infamous villains, including Nebula, Loki and Green Goblin. And, it packages their antics with video projections, special effects, pyrotechnics, martial arts, and both aerial and motorcycle stunts.
The performance is aimed at all ages and, in news that's about as unsurprising as most wisecracks that Tony Stark ever uttered, the show has proven a massive success in the United States, Latin America and Europe. As a result, it was only a matter of time until it hit Australia after its pandemic delay.
Obviously, attendees won't be watching Robert Downey Jr (Oppenheimer), Chris Hemsworth (Extraction II), Benedict Cumberbatch (The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar), Scarlett Johansson (Asteroid City) and Tom Hiddleston (The Essex Serpent) — or any of the many, many other high-profile stars who feature in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, because that list truly seems endless. But, if you're happy to get your Marvel fix however you can, then you can do just that in arenas and stadiums around the country in 2024.
Marvel Universe LIVE! will premiere its Aussie run in Brisbane, before heading to Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide.
"Our tremendously talented creative team and a nearly superhuman cast have created a show that brings the grandeur of Marvel to life," said Marvel Universe LIVE! producer Juliette Feld Grossman.
"This production creates an experience that immerses families in non-stop action, creating movie-style thrills and jaw-dropping stunts that showcase the powers of your favourite superheroes right before your eyes."
MARVEL UNIVERSE LIVE! 2024 DATES:
Thursday, April 4–Sunday, April 7 — Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
Friday, April 12–Monday, April 15 — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
Friday, April 19–Monday, April 22 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney
Friday, April 26–Sunday, April 28 — Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide
Marvel Universe LIVE! is touring Australia in April 2024 — head to the event's website for more information, and pre-sale tickets, with general tickets available from 10am on Tuesday, November 28, 2023