The future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is taking shape, with directors Anthony and Joe Russo hinting at a significant departure for Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars from their previous work on Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. In an interview with Omelete, the Russo brothers described the upcoming Avengers films 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 also discussed their return to the MCU, explaining that a fresh, compelling creative idea spurred their involvement. Anthony Russo highlighted the importance and novelty of the story, along with the exciting collaboration with both familiar and new team members. He acknowledged the significant pressure surrounding Doomsday, given the expectations for its contribution to the theatrical landscape's post-pandemic recovery. Interestingly, the decision to bring back Robert Downey Jr. for Doomsday originated with Marvel producer Kevin Feige, following a period of initial resistance from the Russos due to a lack of a suitable storyline. The brothers eventually found inspiration through an idea presented by Endgame writer Steve McFeely.
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.
Kevin Feige's recent comments further illuminate the MCU's future. He teased the introduction of familiar X-Men characters in upcoming films, emphasizing their crucial role in the narrative leading up to and beyond Secret Wars. Feige highlighted the X-Men's significance in shaping a "new age of mutants," fulfilling a long-held ambition to fully integrate the X-Men into the MCU. This integration appears to be a cornerstone of Phase 7, further evidenced by the addition of three untitled movie projects to Marvel's 2028 release schedule, strongly suggesting at least one will feature the X-Men. While Storm's appearance in What If...? Season 3 marked an initial step, a full-fledged X-Men presence seems imminent.
