The Marvel Cinematic Universe is entering its most daring reinvention yet, with Marvel Studios setting up an entirely new era that redefines its future. But before the studio fully resets its trajectory, its latest project will swap out some familiar names for fresh faces.
In a dramatic shake-up, Marvel officially retired Avengers: The Kang Dynasty following Jonathan Majors’ conviction and subsequent exit as Kang the Conqueror. Stepping into its place is Avengers: Doomsday, which will now serve as the beginning of the end of the Multiverse Saga when it premieres in 2026.
Among the biggest surprises, Robert Downey Jr. is back in action—not as Tony Stark, but as Victor Doom. The casting move once again places him in Marvel’s spotlight, though in an entirely new capacity, unlike anything audiences have seen before.
The return of Joe and Anthony Russo only heightens the stakes. Having previously directed Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and Avengers: Endgame (2019), their reunion with Marvel suggests that Doomsday and its sequel will aim for the same monumental scale.
Release dates, however, are shifting. Avengers: Doomsday is now slated for December 18, 2026, while Avengers: Secret Wars follows a year later on December 17, 2027.
When it does arrive, the film will feature a sweeping lineup. The Fantastic Four, the Thunderbolts, and returning X-Men stars are all confirmed, promising one of the largest ensemble casts ever assembled for a superhero film.
The Russos have indicated that Doomsday won’t simply act as a conclusion, but instead serve as a gateway to a new creative era. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige echoed that idea, teasing how the X-Men will make their long-awaited debut.
“Reboot is a scary word. Reboot can mean a lot of things to a lot of people. Reset, singular timeline–we’re thinking along those lines […] X-Men is where that will happen next,” Feige explained earlier this year.
Before audiences witness that transformation, Marvel’s big-screen slate narrows. The only film hitting theaters before Doomsday is Destin Daniel Cretton’s Spider-Man: Brand New Day on July 31, 2026. Meanwhile, Disney+ will keep fans engaged with projects such as Ryan Coogler’s Eyes of Wakanda and the animated Marvel Zombies.
Part of Phase Six, Marvel Zombies will expand on What If…? with a darker, TV-MA limited series spanning four episodes. Initially conceived as a film, the show is now led by creator Zeb Wells and directed by Bryan Andrews, with Stellar Creative Lab handling animation.
The story reimagines Marvel’s heroes in a survival-driven world where figures like Captain America, Scarlet Witch, and Thanos return as undead foes.
The voice cast includes Iman Vellani (Kamala Khan), Simu Liu (Shang-Chi), Florence Pugh (Yelena Belova), Hailee Steinfeld (Kate Bishop), David Harbour (Red Guardian), Dominique Thorne (Ironheart), and Elizabeth Olsen (Wanda Maximoff). Randall Park and Awkwafina also appear as Jimmy Woo and Katy.
Opposing them will be zombified versions of Captain Marvel, Ikaris, Ghost, Abomination, and more. Not every role will feature live-action actors reprising their parts. Todd Williams steps in as Blade Knight before Mahershala Ali’s debut, Hudson Thames returns as Spider-Man, and Kenna Ramsey takes over as Okoye.
Another notable recasting is Carol Danvers, with Captain Marvel clashing against Ikaris in a new TV spot. Richard Madden is not expected to reprise Ikaris, and Alexandra Daniels–or someone else–will likely return to voice Captain Marvel. Neither Disney, Marvel Studios, nor Daniels herself has confirmed the casting.
Take a look at the TV spot here, and see the new look at Captain Marvel below.
Fans first noticed Brie Larson’s absence from Marvel Studios’ animated series What If…? in 2021, where Alexandra Daniels instead voiced Captain Marvel.
Daniels explained that she was asked to audition as a voice match for Larson, using clips of the Oscar winner’s performance for reference. She assumed her work would go uncredited, but was surprised to see her name listed with stars like Samuel L. Jackson and Mark Ruffalo. “OK, this is cool, this is not a thing I expected for my life,” Daniels recalled.
She also described her unusual recording process, where she often only saw her own dialogue and had to imagine the final animation. With Bryan Andrews directing, some lines came with little preparation, but Daniels appreciated the chance to experiment. One moment she remembered vividly was reacting as though Thor had just swung his hammer at her head.
With Larson tied up filming The Marvels (2023) at the time, Daniels continued as the animated voice of Captain Marvel into What If…? Season 3.
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