Disney Under Pressure as Marvel Studios Loses 2 Major Creators Ahead of ‘Doomsday’ Release
Marvel Studios wants Doomsday to feel like a turning point. The upcoming Avengers installment carries the weight of restoring clarity and rebuilding momentum across the Multiverse Saga. But as that goal comes into focus, the studio faces a quieter shift. Two high-profile creatives are moving on.
These departures don’t derail a franchise overnight. Instead, they create uncertainty at a time when stability matters most.
The Streaming Pioneer
When WandaVision launched on Disney+ in January 2021, Marvel Studios stepped into a new arena. The series mixed classic television homage with darker psychological themes and Multiverse twists. It drew weekly speculation and pushed the MCU into unfamiliar territory.
That experiment paid off. WandaVision expanded into Agatha All Along and will continue with VisionQuest later in 2026, completing the narrative arc that began in Westview.
Jac Schaeffer led that charge. Now she’s leaving Marvel behind. Reports confirm that she signed a three-year overall deal with Amazon, MGM Studios, and Prime Video, under which she will develop and oversee original series. Her move closes a chapter that began with Marvel’s first Disney+ show.
Building a Career Beyond Marvel
Schaeffer’s career under Disney started with Olaf’s Frozen Adventure (2017). She later wrote The Hustle (2019) before returning to the MCU to help shape Black Widow (2021). She eventually ran Agatha All Along, guiding the once-questioned spinoff into a critical and fan success.
Marvel rewarded her with a three-year overall agreement alongside 20th Television, which wrapped in 2024. She then directed the pilot for a Holes reboot at Disney+, though the series did not move forward. Now, with Amazon backing her following projects, she turns toward new territory.
Marvel’s History of Elevating Talent
Marvel often grows alongside its collaborators. The Russo brothers evolved from directing Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) and Captain America: Civil War (2016) into directing the Avengers. Peyton Reed, Ryan Coogler, Jon Watts, and James Gunn each expanded their influence after successful debuts.
Gunn ultimately left to lead DC Studios, reshaping the competitive landscape. His exit proved that even central figures can chart new paths.
Schaeffer’s departure follows that broader pattern. She once appeared positioned to help steer Marvel’s streaming future. Instead, she shifts her focus elsewhere.
What This Means for the MCU
Other WandaVision alums continue to climb. Matt Shakman now directs The Fantastic Four: First Steps and reportedly plans a sequel. Destin Daniel Cretton moved ahead with Wonder Man and was previously tapped for an Avengers project following Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021).
Schaeffer stepped back from VisionQuest when scheduling conflicts overlapped with Agatha All Along. Terry Matalas assumed showrunner duties. At the same time, rumors suggest Marvel is considering a Wanda Maximoff solo project. With Schaeffer committed to Amazon for three years, her involvement remains uncertain.
Facing Doomsday
Marvel Studios still stands strong. It holds major releases on the horizon, and Doomsday remains central to its long-term plans. But creative exits shape direction as much as box office results do.
James Gunn’s move to DC altered Marvel’s cosmic landscape. Schaeffer’s exit changes its streaming identity. Neither signals collapse, but both signal evolution.
As Doomsday approaches, Marvel moves forward without two creatives who once helped define its path. The franchise may still deliver its promised reset. But it will do so with a slightly different team guiding the way.
