Marvel Eyeing Unexpected MCU Expansion of ‘Avengers’ Franchise, Report Says
Marvel’s biggest comeback may not end where fans expect.
This December’s Avengers: Doomsday is already shaping up to be one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s biggest releases in years. It marks the franchise’s first Avengers movie since Avengers: Endgame (2019) and reunites Marvel Studios with directors Anthony and Joe Russo.
The film also brings back some of the MCU’s biggest names.
Chris Evans is returning as Steve Rogers, while Robert Downey Jr. is making an unexpected comeback as Doctor Doom rather than Tony Stark. Combined with a cast that spans multiple Marvel projects – including the Fantastic Four and veteran X-Men actors – Doomsday is the MCU’s next major crossover event.
Marvel’s recent output has been far more uneven than during the Infinity Saga. While crossover events like Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) and Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) proved audiences would still turn out in huge numbers, The Marvels (2023) and Thunderbolts* (2025) underperformed, and several Disney+ series have received a mixed response.
That has put even more pressure on Avengers: Doomsday to restore the franchise’s momentum.
According to a new report, Marvel may already be thinking beyond it.
The Russo Brothers Could Stick Around Longer Than Expected
Scooper Alex Perez claims Anthony and Joe Russo are working on another Avengers project beyond those already announced.
The brothers are currently attached to direct both Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. However, Perez believes Marvel could ultimately expand those plans.
“Based on their statements, there’s a chance it’ll involve splitting ‘Secret Wars’ into two,” Perez says. “However, it could also be the next ‘Avengers’ installment.”
That isn’t the first time Secret Wars has been linked to a two-part release.
Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has previously described the film as “as ambitious a project as we’ve ever embarked on.” He has also confirmed it will reset the MCU into a new “singular timeline” while introducing a recast X-Men team.
Given everything expected to happen, another film wouldn’t be difficult to justify.
Secret Wars is expected to wrap up the Multiverse Saga, unite characters from across multiple Marvel universes, and establish the next era of the MCU. That’s a lot for one movie to accomplish, even with Doomsday setting the stage.
Not everyone believes Marvel is heading in that direction.
Earlier this year, fellow scooper Jeff Sneider dismissed reports that Secret Wars would be split into two movies.
“That may have been mentioned by someone, somewhere along the chain of power, but it’s not being seriously discussed in Burbank,” he said.
Marvel Is Betting Big on Familiar Faces
The Russo brothers have been here before.
After directing Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) and Captain America: Civil War (2016), the pair delivered Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and Avengers: Endgame, two of the biggest box office hits in Marvel history.
Their post-Marvel career has been less consistent. Netflix’s The Gray Man (2022) attracted a large audience but received mixed reviews, while The Electric State (2025) struggled with critics despite its reported $320 million budget. Other AGBO productions have similarly failed to match the impact of the Russos’ Marvel work.
That makes their MCU return one of Marvel’s biggest creative bets.
If Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars perform as Disney hopes, extending the Russo brothers’ time with the franchise would be an understandable next step.
There are obstacles, however.
A second Secret Wars movie would mean reassembling one of the largest casts in blockbuster history for another production. It would also increase costs at a time when Robert Downey Jr. is reportedly earning $100 million for his return.
For now, Marvel has only officially announced Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. Whether the studio is quietly preparing another Avengers movie or simply exploring ways to tell Secret Wars remains speculation.
Would you like to see the Russo brothers direct another Avengers movie after Avengers: Secret Wars?
