The Marvel Cinematic Universe is approaching a critical juncture. As Earth’s Mightiest Heroes prepare to assemble once again for a fifth Avengers chapter, Marvel Studios is framing the moment as the start of a recalibration for the sprawling franchise.
For more than a decade, the MCU functioned as Hollywood’s most consistent blockbuster engine. From 2008 onward, interconnected storytelling translated into box office dominance. But the years after Avengers: Endgame (2019) introduced a more uneven era. Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) soared past pandemic expectations, while Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) crossed the $1 billion mark globally. At the same time, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023) struggled to generate sustained enthusiasm, and Captain America: Brave New World (2025) landed to a more restrained reception than earlier franchise peaks.
In the wake of those fluctuations, conversation around superhero fatigue and narrative sprawl intensified. The Multiverse Saga, expansive by design, has faced scrutiny over whether its interwoven timelines and character arcs have maintained the clarity that defined the Infinity Saga. That scrutiny now places considerable pressure on the next Avengers installments.
Enter Joe and Anthony Russo. The filmmakers behind Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and Avengers: Endgame are returning to direct Avengers: Doomsday (2026) and Avengers: Secret Wars (2027). Given that their prior Avengers entries remain among the highest-grossing films ever released, their return immediately elevates expectations. Rather than functioning as another sequel, the two-part arc is being positioned as a sweeping reset.
Both the Russos and Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige have suggested the films represent more than a continuation—they’re intended as a pivot point that reshapes the MCU’s path beyond the Multiverse era.
Avengers: Doomsday is already shaping up as one of the most ambitious ensemble efforts in Marvel history. Early reactions have ranged from praise to frustration, particularly regarding its expanding roster. Classic characters like Chris Hemsworth’s Thor and Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson/Captain America will appear in the film, but they won’t stand alone.
Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen are returning as Professor X and Magneto from 20th Century Studios’ X-Men franchise, reinforcing the Multiverse as a central storytelling engine. Their inclusion signals that legacy characters from outside Marvel Studios’ original continuity are no longer side attractions but integral players.
Perhaps the most striking casting announcement, however, involves Robert Downey Jr. After defining the Infinity Saga as Tony Stark/Iron Man, Downey will step back into the MCU in Phase Six as Victor Von Doom—Doctor Doom. The character was first teased in the post-credits scene of The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025), igniting immediate speculation.
Early theories suggest this iteration of Doom may blur traditional hero-villain lines. Rather than a straightforward antagonist, he could operate in morally gray territory. One circulating theory links Doom’s motivations to Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), speculating that Captain America’s time-travel choices in Endgame may have set off unintended consequences across multiple realities.
Behind the scenes, Marvel has also restructured its release calendar. Originally slated for May 2026 and May 2027, both Doomsday and Secret Wars have shifted to December of their respective years. The move places the Avengers squarely in the lucrative holiday corridor—a window that has yielded significant returns for Disney.
With Avatar: Fire and Ash (2025) launching last December and surpassing $1 billion, Disney appears to be cultivating a string of year-end tentpoles. Relocating the Avengers suggests confidence that audiences will treat these films as seasonal events.
Reports indicate the scope may expand further. Rumors suggest Avengers: Secret Wars could grow beyond a single installment. According to The Hot Mic, Doomsday may approach a three-hour runtime, and internal conversations are reportedly exploring whether Secret Wars should be divided into two films to accommodate its vast Multiverse narrative.
Should that occur, Marvel’s current blueprint would effectively become a trilogy of Avengers-scale spectacles. Given the density of characters and realities already in play, additional runtime may prove necessary.
Speculation also surrounds which heroes will survive. As with past Avengers outings, the stakes are expected to be severe. Several established characters may not emerge intact from Doomsday, and at least one original Avengers cast member has confirmed they will not appear, leaving fans to guess which faces remain unrevealed.
Looking ahead, the Russos may continue collaborating with Marvel beyond these projects, potentially in an advisory capacity. Whatever form that partnership takes, Secret Wars—whether one film or two—appears poised to usher in sweeping change.
Before that cinematic showdown arrives, however, Marvel fans will encounter a different take on Secret Wars.
“Secret Wars” Is Being Rewritten
Marvel Comics is revisiting its Multiverse roots with a new lineup of “What If…?” one-shots, reimagining landmark storylines with dramatic reversals. As the imprint marks its 50th anniversary, Marvel is revisiting arcs like “Secret Wars” and “Kraven’s Last Hunt”—this time altering core outcomes in ways that reshape continuity.
The initiative explores the aftermath of pivotal alternate choices, from universes avoiding annihilation to heroes inheriting powers they were never meant to wield.
One of the headline entries is a reinterpretation of “Secret Wars”, envisioning a reality where the Ultimate Universe (Earth-1610) became the last surviving world instead of Earth-616. That shift alone dramatically reconfigures Marvel’s landscape.
“Kraven’s Last Hunt” also receives an alternate spin, revisiting one of Spider-Man’s most psychologically intense arcs from a new perspective. Elsewhere, Jessica Jones gains spider-powers instead of Peter Parker, Thor bonds with the alien symbiote once tied to Spider-Man, and other heroes chart radically different paths. The event assembles a strong roster of creators, balancing reverence for the source material with bold reinterpretation.
Full List of Upcoming “What If…?” One-Shots:
“What If… Cyclops Had Stayed with Madelyne Pryor?”
“What If… Thor Got Spider-Man’s Symbiote Suit?”
“What If… The Ultimate Universe Survived the Secret Wars?”
“What If… The Radioactive Spider Bit Jessica Jones?”
“What If… Kraven Survived His Last Hunt?”
“What If… Captain America Was Unfrozen in 2099?”
“What If… The Runaways Hadn’t Run Away?”
“What If… Cassandra Nova Killed Charles Xavier?”
Marvel is clearly embracing parallel realities across mediums, from theatrical tentpoles to comic book pages. It remains to be seen whether this alternate “Secret Wars” hints at larger developments for 2027’s winter blockbuster.
How do you feel about the coming Marvel titles in 2026? Let us know in the comments down below!
