Russo Brothers Tease Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars as a “New Beginning” for the MCU
The future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is starting to take shape, with the Russo Brothers offering fresh insights into Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars.
Directors Anthony and Joe Russo recently shared how these upcoming films will differ from their previous projects, Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.
A New Beginning for the MCU
In an interview with Brazilian outlet Omelete, the Russo Brothers described Avengers 5 and Avengers 6 as a “new beginning” that will lay the foundation for Phase 7 of the MCU.
“The greatest thing that ever happened is we got to get immersed in a 20-movie arc and see an ending to that arc,” Joe Russo said.
“What’s compelling about these two new Avengers movies is they’re a beginning. It’s a new beginning. We told an ending story [with Infinity War and Endgame], and now we’re going to tell a beginning story. Who knows where we’ll go from there?”
Anthony Russo explained that their return to the MCU was not planned initially. “We didn’t know what our road forward was in the MCU after we finished Endgame,” he said.
“A creative idea came to us, and it felt like the right idea. It motivated us to do it again. We feel like we have something fresh, we feel like we have a story that’s important and needs to be told.”
Pressure to Deliver
Anthony Russo admitted that Doomsday is a “difficult” project because of the high expectations surrounding it, particularly in terms of bringing audiences back to theaters post-pandemic.
The brothers also revealed that Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige suggested bringing Robert Downey Jr. back for Doomsday.
Joe Russo explained, “That conversation was had a while ago, and Robert tried to talk us into doing it, and we said no. We just didn’t have a story, we didn’t have a way in, so we were resistant for a while. And then one day, [Endgame writer] Steve McFeely called us and said, ‘I have an idea.’”
Joe Russo emphasized the importance of creating a complex antagonist.
“We love villains who think they’re the heroes of their own stories,” he said. “That’s when they become three-dimensional and more interesting. When you have an actor like Robert Downey, you have to create a well-shaped character for the audience. That’s where a lot of our focus is going.”
Release Dates and X-Men Teasers
Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled to hit theaters on May 1, 2026, with Avengers: Secret Wars following a year later in May 2027.
Kevin Feige has also hinted at the introduction of X-Men characters in the MCU.
Speaking at the Disney APAC Content Showcase in Singapore, Feige stated that fans will see “some X-Men players that you might recognize” in the next few MCU films, though he didn’t specify which characters or movies.
“I think you will see that continues in our next few movies with some X-Men players that you might recognize,” Feige said.
“Right after that, the whole story of Secret Wars really leads us into a new age of mutants and of the X-Men. Again, [it’s] one of those dreams come true. We finally have the X-Men back.”
Feige confirmed that the X-Men would play a significant role in the MCU’s future following Secret Wars.
“When we were preparing for Endgame years ago, it was a question of getting to the grand finale of our narrative, and then we had to start all over again after that,” he said.
“This time, on the road to Secret Wars, we already know very well what the story is going to be until then and afterwards. The X-Men are an important part of that future.”
Storm has already made her first appearance in the wider MCU through What If…? Season 3, and it’s clear that the X-Men’s presence will grow in future projects.
Marvel Studios has added three untitled films to its 2028 release schedule—February 18, May 5, and November 10—suggesting that one of these could feature the X-Men.
Robert Downey Jr.’s Return as Doctor Doom
At last year’s San Diego Comic-Con, Marvel Studios confirmed that Robert Downey Jr. would return to the MCU as Doctor Doom in Doomsday and Secret Wars.
Downey was one of the studio’s biggest box office draws as Iron Man, and with the franchise struggling since Endgame, his return could give the MCU a much-needed boost.
Joe Russo admitted they were hesitant to return at first. “That was Kevin [Feige], and interesting enough about that was, that conversation was had a while ago,” he said.
“And then Robert tried to talk us into doing it, and we said ‘no’… but Steve McFeely called us and said: ‘I have an idea.’ We went, ‘That’s the story, that story has to be told. It’s a really powerful story.’”
Joe emphasized the importance of creating a well-developed villain. “Thanos only had a few minutes of screen time before Infinity War, but Doom hasn’t even been hinted at before now,” he said. “For us, a lot of our focus is going toward making Victor a compelling antagonist.”
AI in Filmmaking
The Russo Brothers have also faced criticism over their views on AI usage in filmmaking. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Anthony Russo called AI a “valuable tool,” but stressed that artists should always remain in control.
Joe Russo confirmed that AI was used for voice modulation in The Electric State and predicted that AI would play a larger role in the future.
“There’s a lot of finger-pointing and hyperbole because people are afraid,” he said. “They don’t understand. But ultimately, you’ll see AI used more significantly.”
However, Downey has expressed skepticism toward AI, making it unlikely that it will play a major role in the production of Doomsday or Secret Wars.
Marvel Studios faced backlash for using AI-generated opening credits in Secret Invasion, so it seems they’ll be cautious moving forward.
What’s Next for the MCU?
With Doomsday and Secret Wars poised to kick off Phase 7, the MCU’s future looks promising.
The return of Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom and the integration of the X-Men are set to usher in a new era for Marvel Studios. Fans will have to wait until 2026 and 2027 to see how it all unfolds.
