Marvel’s MCU Reset Movie Gets First Reactions, Will Be Reshot Imminently
Marvel Studios is approaching a crossroads moment as the Avengers line up for their long-anticipated return, ushering in the fifth entry of the franchise’s sprawling crossover saga.
Following a decade of box office highs and increasingly vocal fan skepticism, the studio is treating Avengers: Doomsday (2026) and Avengers: Secret Wars (2027) as a strategic recalibration. The plan combines familiar heroes, expansive Multiversal stakes, and a notable pivot toward an unexpected central figure meant to reshape the MCU’s future.
The path to this moment hasn’t been smooth. Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) proved Marvel could still dominate globally, but later films, including Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023), The Marvels (2023), and Captain America: Brave New World (2025), triggered questions about creative direction and audience fatigue.
That context makes the return of directors Joe and Anthony Russo especially meaningful. The duo behind Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and Avengers: Endgame (2019), as well as Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) and Captain America: Civil War (2016), are once again in the director’s chairs for both Doomsday and Secret Wars.
Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige and the Russos have emphasized that these films are meant to be more than simple follow-ups. Instead, they’re positioned as a reset that reorganizes the franchise ahead of what’s expected to become the Mutant Saga.
Scheduled for release on December 18, 2026, Avengers: Doomsday is shaping up as one of Marvel’s most ambitious ensemble projects. The cast brings together returning pillars like Chris Hemsworth’s Thor and Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson/Captain America, alongside newer faces such as Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova and Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic.
The film also leans heavily into characters originating outside Marvel Studios’ original continuity. Performers from 20th Century Studios’ X-Men films, including Patrick Stewart’s Professor X, are now firmly integrated, highlighting how essential the Multiverse has become to Marvel’s overarching narrative.
The biggest surprise may be Robert Downey Jr.’s return—not as Iron Man, but as Victor Von Doom. After anchoring the Infinity Saga as Tony Stark and defeating Thanos in Endgame, Downey is stepping into the role of Doctor Doom, first teased during the post-credits scene of The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025) opposite Franklin Richards.
Early speculation suggests this Doom won’t fit neatly into a villain mold. Theories point to a morally complicated figure, potentially fixated on Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) due to the consequences of time travel in Endgame. Marvel has confirmed nothing, but ambiguity appears to be part of the studio’s rollout strategy.
That approach was evident during a heavily viewed livestream in early 2025 known among fans as the “chair reveal.” The event unveiled an extensive cast list, including Sebastian Stan (Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier), Paul Rudd (Scott Lang/Ant-Man), Simu Liu (Shang-Chi), Tom Hiddleston (Loki), and Vanessa Kirby (Sue Storm/Invisible Woman), and confirmed deep X-Men involvement across the Multiverse.
Several major names were missing.
Mark Ruffalo is not expected to appear in Doomsday, with his Hulk instead slated for Spider-Man: Brand New Day on July 31, 2026. The absence of Brie Larson, Ryan Reynolds, and Hugh Jackman has fueled speculation about Secret Wars or future reveals, particularly after confirmation that Reynolds is actively developing Deadpool 4.
Marvel later stoked interest by attaching Doomsday teaser footage to Avatar: Fire and Ash (2025), featuring Steve Rogers, Thor, X-Men characters, Wakandans, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach’s Ben Grimm. Evans’ presence confirmed Rogers remains integral to Marvel’s plans.
Story details remain tightly sealed, though leaks continue to circulate. According to MyTimeToShineHello, as reported by Comic Book Movie, the film may open with a Multiversal clash involving characters from different Marvel eras.
“Apparently, the movie will open with Maguire’s web-slinger battling the X-Men, ‘and particularly Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine,'” Comic Book Movie writes. “This somewhat corroborates claims we’ve heard about an Incursion destroying Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man Universe, and it gives Maguire’s Peter Parker a lot to fight for in this movie and Avengers: Secret Wars as he looks to bring back his loved ones.”
The same source also hyped the film’s scale.
“Avengers: Doomsday is not only the most epic Avengers movie, but it might be the most epic movie OF ALL TIME,” they wrote (via Comic Book Movie). “The opening scene alone tops any previous Avengers movie, and the final battle is just INSANE.”
Marvel has not substantiated these claims. Still, the December release slot—recently lucrative for Avatar: Fire and Ash—signals confidence.
“Victor asks the Fantastic Four for help with the Incursions. They travel together with Steve Rogers to the MCU in their ship to warn everyone, then join forces to head to the X-Men universe–the source of the next Incursion that will destroy their Earths,” MyTimeToShineHello writes, via Comic Book Movie. “They have a plan to fix everything.”
“The scooper adds that the movie will see Steve Rogers and Thor teaming up to seek out Loki, presumably meaning they’ll need to find him and the TVA as part of their likely doomed (pun intended) plan to save the Multiverse.”
Industry chatter suggests cautious optimism. According to Jeff Sneider on The Hot Mic, early reactions have been positive.
“It’s still very much in post. Let me see if I have anything on that. I did check in before the show, just in case. I did get a little something. Avengers is in post, and they still have a lot of pick-ups to do, but the buzz is good. The buzz is good. You’re going to like it,” Sneider said. “You’re going to like the movie.”
Reshoots are reportedly underway ahead of production on Secret Wars. Geek Tyrant reports:
While previous reports claimed Avengers: Doomsday reshoots were scheduled to begin in April, recent photos indicate production may have started early in London. No cast members were spotted, but crew wearing Avengers: Doomsday jackets were seen filming scenes staged in what appears to be World War II era London.
What those scenes involve remains unclear.
Outside the films, Marvel has expanded Doom’s presence through animation. A Marvel Super Heroes: What The–?! short showcases Latveria, Doomstadt, Doombots, and even “Doomland,” blending humor with authoritarian imagery.
Whether that tone carries into Doomsday remains to be seen.
How do you feel Marvel will handle Avengers: Doomsday? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
