Marvel's next Avengers movie may not just be ending one story.
According to directors Anthony and Joe Russo, Avengers: Doomsday is being designed as the beginning of an entirely new era for the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The filmmakers discussed the project during an appearance at SXSW London, where Joe Russo described the upcoming blockbuster as a reset point for the franchise.
“That serial shifting and changing and surprising you and then reinventing itself and then shifting and changing and then surprising you — that’s exciting and I think you’re going to see some shifting and changing [with Doomsday]. So, get ready for it. Look, we were with Rob [Downey Jr.] earlier today. We were both talking about this concept that we are back to phase zero. This is starting over from scratch. We want to make sure everybody feels like this isn’t leaning on anything from the past.”
The comments suggest Marvel is looking beyond the conclusion of its current Multiverse Saga and toward whatever comes next.
Marvel Looks Past the Multiverse Saga
Marvel has spent the last several years building toward two Avengers films intended to close out the Multiverse Saga.
That storyline has stretched across theaters and Disney+, introducing characters from alternate realities and bringing together heroes from different corners of the franchise. Projects such as Loki, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and Deadpool & Wolverine all helped establish the concept.
Avengers: Doomsday was originally expected to be called Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, featuring Kang as its central villain. Those plans changed after Jonathan Majors was fired following his assault and harassment conviction.
Marvel instead turned to one of its most recognizable stars.
Robert Downey Jr. is set to return to the MCU as Doctor Doom, placing a familiar face at the center of a very different story. The actor's casting announcement quickly became one of the biggest talking points in Marvel fandom.
Rumors surrounding the film have only continued to grow since then.
One popular theory suggests Doomsday will begin establishing Battleworld, the patchwork reality ruled by Doctor Doom in Marvel's “Secret Wars” comics. Marvel has not confirmed those reports.
Russo Brothers Address Huge Ensemble Cast
The directors also discussed the challenge of balancing a cast that spans multiple Marvel generations.
Confirmed actors include Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Anthony Mackie (Captain America), Sebastian Stan (Winter Soldier), Tom Hiddleston (Loki), Florence Pugh (Yelena Belova), Pedro Pascal (Mister Fantastic), Vanessa Kirby (Invisible Woman), Patrick Stewart (Professor X), Ian McKellen (Magneto), and Chris Evans (Steve Rogers).
Joe Russo said the creative team is aware that every character arrives with passionate fans and expectations.
“Each one of those actors is playing somebody’s favorite character,” he said, “and so if you’re not going to search the character properly, then you’re going to disappoint someone in that audience. We grew up in the biggest Italian family. … We understand how to tell stories with multiple characters. A lot of that has to do with very subtle POV shifts throughout the story. If Thor, when he lands, if that accidentally cuts [Sebastian] Stan’s head off… That’s how close those points of view are to each other, and that’s all very calibrated, from a protocol standpoint.”
Outside the movie itself, Marvel has continued teasing Doctor Doom's influence.
Recent promotion for SXSW London included the announcement of a Latveria-themed Marvel pop-up cafe, prompting renewed speculation that Doom's homeland could play a major role in the studio's future plans.
Avengers: Doomsday arrives in theaters on December 18, 2026.
Marvel's theatrical slate reaches screens before then with Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which is scheduled for release on July 31.
What are your predictions for Avengers: Doomsday?
