The Russo Brothers Return! ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ and ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’ Get an Official Director — and Robert Downey Jr. Returns!

— Variety/Penske Media/Getty Images

It seemed like a natural fit when The Hollywood Reporter named Anthony and Joe Russo as the potential directors of Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. The duo already have two Avengers films under their collective belt, and together have made Marvel Studios over a billion dollars. With the franchise in a creative and commercial slump, their return seemed like a no-brainer.

That said, Marvel never outright confirmed that the Russos would return to direct the upcoming Avengers films. Per THR, they were “in talks” to helm the duology, and were among a handful of directors that Marvel was courting. Fortunately, fans haven’t had to wait long for true confirmation from Marvel. The studio returned to Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con this weekend, and finally shared its plans for Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars.

Near the end of a packed panel at Hall H on July 27, Marvel reintroduced the Russo Brothers with a highlight reel of their previous MCU work before confirming the news. The Russos are back!

The crowd reacted to the news with a rousing chant. They then stated:

“When we directed Endgame, we truly believed it was the end of the road for us because we put all of our passion, creativity, and love into Winter Soldier, Civil War, Infinity War, Endgame.. In the time since, with a very special story we could see us coming back.”

Avengers: Doomsday?

If you’re wondering about Avengers: Doomsday, this is Marvel’s official pivot away from Kang the Conqueror after Jonathan Majors was fired. The next Avengers movie (the fifth if you’re counting) will focus on Dr. Doom and star none other than… Robert Downey Jr!

“What did I tell you, I like playing complicated characters,” the actor best known for playing Iron Man in the MCU told a shocked crowd of fans.

This story is developing…

Avengers: Doomsday is slated for May 2026, with Avengers: Secret Wars coming a year later in May 2027.

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Share This