Skydance Announce Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra Delayed to 2026

Key Highlights:

• Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra delayed to early 2026 to ensure higher polish.
• Cast features Drew Moerlein, Khary Payton, and Megalyn Echikunwoke.
• Story centres on Captain America, Azzuri, Gabriel Jones, and Nanali in WWII Paris.

Skydance New Media has confirmed that Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra, the upcoming narrative-driven superhero adventure led by Amy Hennig, will now launch in early 2026, missing its original 2025 release window.

According to the team on social site X/Twitter, the extra development time is being used to refine the experience, suggesting a push toward cinematic quality and seamless gameplay integration.

The announcement follows a surge of interest after the game’s spotlight at GDC 2024, where Epic’s State of Unreal event offered a glimpse into its atmospheric 1940s wartime setting.

Built in Unreal Engine 5 and supported by MetaHuman Animator for facial realism, Marvel 1943 is positioning itself as a narrative powerhouse among Marvel’s expanding game portfolio.

Four Heroes, One War

Set during the height of World War II, Marvel 1943 brings together four distinct protagonists, each with personal stakes in the fight against Hydra:

• Steve Rogers / Captain America – Portrayed by Drew Moerlein, this version of Cap is younger, more impulsive, and just stepping into the role of a leader.
• Azzuri / Black Panther – Voiced by Khary Payton, Azzuri is T’Challa’s grandfather and a formidable king forced to fight far from Wakanda to protect his people’s future.
• Gabriel Jones – Played by Marque Richardson, Jones is a Howling Commando on the ground in occupied Paris, offering a soldier’s perspective on the war.
• Nanali – A Wakandan spy embedded in the heart of the conflict, voiced by Megalyn Echikunwoke, Nanali moves in the shadows, uniting tech and espionage.

What sets Marvel 1943 apart is how these characters, despite aligned goals – clash due to cultural differences and conflicting methods.

The tension between Captain America and Black Panther becomes a driving force in the story, as ideological friction gives way to reluctant camaraderie.

Much of the narrative unfolds in occupied Paris, with Hydra’s presence complicating both Nazi operations and the Allied resistance.

This backdrop allows for high-stakes infiltration, urban combat, and espionage-driven sequences.

The choice of Paris is not just aesthetic, it serves as a living, breathing environment steeped in historical conflict and layered allegiances.

The creative team, led by Amy Hennig (best known for Uncharted), is crafting an experience that blends character-driven storytelling with gameplay moments reflective of each hero’s strengths.

While Captain America leans into raw physicality and shield combat, Azzuri offers a more agile, predator-like approach. Nanali’s stealth missions and Gabriel Jones’ grounded gunplay diversify the moment-to-moment gameplay loop.

Casting and Voice Talent

The game’s voice cast brings gravitas and emotional weight to the characters:

• Drew Moerlein – Steve Rogers / Captain America
• Khary Payton – Azzuri / Black Panther
• Marque Richardson – Gabriel Jones
• Megalyn Echikunwoke – Nanali
• Joel Johnstone – Howard Stark

Each character benefits from detailed facial capture thanks to MetaHuman Animator, a tool enabling subtle expressions and lifelike performances.

Though delayed, Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra is expected to make a reappearance soon, possibly with fresh gameplay or a story deep-dive.

With other Marvel projects in development, including Arkane Lyon’s Blade and EA’s Iron Man and Black Panther, Skydance’s offering remains one of the most narratively ambitious in the current Marvel games slate.

Fans may be disappointed by the delay, but early signals suggest the extra time is being used for meaningful improvements rather than just damage control.

If Skydance pulls it off, Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra could stand among the most compelling Marvel video game adaptations to date.