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: 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 also discussed their return to the MCU, explaining that a fresh creative idea spurred their involvement. Anthony Russo highlighted the importance and novelty of this new story, emphasizing the exciting collaboration with both familiar and new team members. He acknowledged the pressure surrounding Doomsday, noting the film's ambitious goal of revitalizing theatrical viewership post-pandemic. Interestingly, the return of Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man was revealed to be an idea initially resisted by the Russos until a compelling narrative concept emerged from Endgame writer Steve McFeely. Joe Russo highlighted their focus on creating complex, three-dimensional villains, exemplified by their intention to craft a richly developed character for Downey Jr.'s potential return.

The Next Generation of Avengers

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Joe Russo concluded by emphasizing their focus on creating compelling villains who see themselves as heroes, adding depth and intrigue to their characters.

Avengers: Doomsday is slated for release on May 1, 2026, with Secret Wars following in May 2027. Meanwhile, Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige has teased the introduction of X-Men characters in upcoming MCU films, suggesting a significant X-Men presence in the near future, culminating in a new era of mutants after Secret Wars. Feige confirmed the X-Men's crucial role in the MCU's future, emphasizing their importance in the narrative leading up to and beyond Secret Wars. The character Storm's appearance in What If...? Season 3 marks a notable early step in this integration. Furthermore, the addition of three untitled movie projects to Marvel's 2028 release schedule fuels speculation about a potential X-Men film.