Marvel’s ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’ Plan Reportedly Scrapped and Replaced

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is approaching a pivotal crossroads, one that brings Earth’s Mightiest Heroes back into focus for the first time since 2019’s Avengers: Endgame reshaped blockbuster storytelling. With the fifth Avengers film on the horizon, Marvel Studios is signaling that the franchise’s most recognizable team is once again central to its future.

For much of the past decade, the MCU set the industry standard for interconnected storytelling and box office dominance. But recent years have been marked by uneven results. While Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) delivered historic numbers, other entries struggled to match that level of enthusiasm. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023) fell short of expectations, and Captain America: Brave New World (2025) received a more subdued response, underscoring growing concerns about consistency.

Over the last five years, Marvel Studios has faced mounting questions about momentum, audience fatigue, and the franchise’s long-term direction.

Against that backdrop, Marvel’s decision to reunite with Joe and Anthony Russo carries significant weight. The brothers, who directed Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and Avengers: Endgame, are returning to helm Avengers: Doomsday (2026) and Avengers: Secret Wars (2027). Both the Russos and Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige have positioned these films as more than sequels, describing them as a strategic reset designed to redefine the MCU’s next era.

Avengers: Doomsday is already shaping up as one of the studio’s most expansive ensemble films. Familiar faces like Chris Hemsworth’s Thor and Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson/Captain America will share the screen with characters drawn from outside Marvel Studios’ original continuity. Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen are set to reprise their roles as Professor X and Magneto from the 20th Century Studios X-Men films, highlighting the Multiverse as a foundational element of the story.

One casting reveal has eclipsed all others. Robert Downey Jr., whose Tony Stark anchored the Infinity Saga, is returning to the MCU in Phase Six—not as Iron Man, but as Victor Von Doom, better known as Doctor Doom. The shift marks one of the boldest creative pivots Marvel Studios has attempted with a legacy actor.

Doctor Doom was teased in the post-credits scene of The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025), and early speculation suggests the character will exist in morally ambiguous territory. Rather than functioning as a traditional villain, Doom may serve as a foil to the Avengers. One prevailing theory proposes that Doom is targeting Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), blaming him for catastrophic consequences tied to his time travel actions in Endgame.

Marvel Studios has also made a notable change to its release calendar. Originally planned for May 2026 and May 2027, Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars have been moved to December of their respective years. The holiday window has proven lucrative for Disney, especially with Avatar: Fire and Ash debuting last December and surpassing $1 billion this month. The shift positions Disney for three consecutive holiday tentpole releases across as many years.

There is also growing chatter that Avengers: Secret Wars may expand beyond a single film. Multiple reports suggest Marvel Studios is considering splitting the project into two parts, reflecting the massive scale of the story being developed.

According to The Hot Mic, Avengers: Doomsday could approach a three-hour runtime. The same report notes that executives are actively discussing whether Secret Wars should follow suit as a multi-part event, allowing more room to explore the Multiverse and transition the MCU into its next saga. If so, the Multiverse Saga could evolve into a trilogy of Avengers-level films rather than a two-film finale.

As with previous Avengers chapters, the consequences appear severe. Industry speculation points toward major character deaths in Doomsday, potentially closing the book on several long-running heroes.

Adding to the intrigue, at least one original Avengers actor has confirmed they will not appear in Doomsday, raising questions about which characters will ultimately return and which stories will come to an end.

With talk of the Russo Brothers potentially continuing their collaboration with Marvel Studios beyond Secret Wars, whether as directors or creative advisors, the MCU seems poised for substantial transformation once the saga concludes—whether that finale arrives in one film or two.

How do you feel about a potential Avengers trilogy? Let us know in the comments down below!