Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars 'A New Beginning' for the MCU, Russo Brothers Say

The future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is taking shape, with directors Anthony and Joe Russo hinting at a significant departure from their previous work on Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. In an interview with Omelete, the Russo brothers described Avengers 5 and 6 (Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars) as a "new beginning," laying the groundwork for Phase 7 and beyond. Joe Russo emphasized the shift from concluding a narrative arc to initiating a new one, stating, "We told an ending story [with Infinity War and Endgame], and now we're going to tell a beginning story."

The Russos explained their return to the MCU stemmed from a compelling new creative idea. Anthony Russo highlighted the freshness and importance of the story, emphasizing the excitement of collaborating with both familiar and new team members. He acknowledged the challenges of Doomsday, particularly the high expectations surrounding its potential to revitalize theatrical moviegoing post-pandemic. Interestingly, the decision to bring back Robert Downey Jr. originated with Marvel producer Kevin Feige, after initial resistance from the Russos due to a lack of a suitable storyline. This changed when Endgame writer Steve McFeely presented a compelling idea.

The Next Generation of Avengers

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Joe Russo offered a cryptic hint about the films' direction, stating, "We love villains who think they’re the heroes of their own stories…When you have an actor like Robert Downey, you have to create a three-dimensional, well-shaped character for the audience. That’s where a lot of our focus is going."

Avengers: Doomsday is slated for release on May 1, 2026, with Secret Wars following in May 2027.

Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige previously teased the introduction of X-Men characters in upcoming MCU films, promising that fans would see "some X-Men players that you might recognize." He further emphasized the X-Men's crucial role in the MCU's future, particularly after Secret Wars, stating it would usher in "a new age of mutants and of the X-Men." Feige highlighted the long-term planning involved, noting that unlike the lead-up to Avengers: Endgame, the path to Secret Wars and beyond is clearly defined, with the X-Men playing a significant part. Storm's appearance in What If...? Season 3 marked a first step in integrating these characters into the wider MCU. The addition of three untitled movie projects to Marvel's 2028 release schedule further fuels speculation about an X-Men-centric film.