There’s talk of a mega shake-up with the Avengers: Doomsday cast. There’s a report that Michael B. Jordan could be getting back into character as Erik Killmonger for Marvel. 6y6sy

It goes without saying that when the first Black Panther came out, Marvel was flying high. They ruled the zeitgeist, and perhaps more importantly, they ruled the box office. Things have changed significantly since then. Michael B. Jordan is a bona fide star now — he just led Sinners to becoming one of the most profitable and raved-about movies of the year so far.

On the other hand, Thunderbolts is a good enough movie, but there’s already talk that it’s set to actually lose money. And some of the MCU’s recent releases have just fully missed the mark. The rug feels like it’s slowly being pulled from underneath the Marvel machine, so they might actually need to figure out how to create a pathway for stars like Michael B. Jordan to return.

If Michael B. Jordan does come back, it’s not going to be either surprising or novel. There’s a pretty interesting aspect to how they chose to bring back Robert Downey Jr. But not all reintegration of characters needs to be that creative. The Avengers, luckily, have a mechanism that makes it possible for them to have their shawarma and eat it too: incorporating other universes. As fans obviously know, Killmonger died in the first Black Panther, and Letitia Wright was already announced to be back as the Black Panther in the Avengers. But if recent reports are to be believed, Michael B. Jordan will be playing a variant of his famed character in the movie.

The report originates from the AlexFromCC. In the Marvel scoops game, you’re only as good as your last correct scoop. And this was right on the money when they were first to report Hailee Steinfeld would Hawkeye. So there’s at least a reason to believe that they have sources deep inside the Marvel machine.

RUMOR:

Michael B. Jordan will interpret a variant of Black Panther in AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY.

The variant will be part of the multiverse team for the AVENGERS.

Via @AlexFromCC pic.twitter.com/20dulUdCJS

— Culture Base (@Culture3ase) June 1, 2025

As for more plot details and how the Creed star’s performance would be incorporated, that’s obviously under lock and key. And with how Marvel typically works, they could still even be tweaking that script. But the way it’s shaping up, the report also suggests he’ll play a small role in the Avengers. Everything right now is pointing at Marvel moving towards the Fantastic Four and maybe even possibly using this as an opportunity to give a backdoor entrance for the X-Men into the larger universe.

Michael B. Jordan certainly cemented himself as one of the heirs of the house the Tom Cruises and Brad Pitts built with his performance in Sinners. It would honestly be cool if he used his star power to cameo and surprise fans, because sometimes even a glimpse of a star is worth the price of ission for some. And while the core Marvel fans will always be loyal to the cause, Thunderbolts is proof that these films also need mainstream appeal for them to make financial sense.

Right now, what Marvel is focusing on isn’t just maintaining the fans they had before, but also building brand-new ones. They need every star they have to achieve that.

Marvel Studios is desperate for another billion-dollar hit and all eyes are on Avengers: Doomsday. This boasts a star-studded cast that rivals Endgame, the MCU comeback of Robert Downey Jr as Doctor Doom, and more costumed heroes than you can shake a multiverse at.

On top of that, if it’s anything like Infinity War, the events of Doomsday will change the MCU forever. Almost anything can happen, though the characters played by actors at the end of their contracts may have to face the power and magic of one Victor von Doom. And now, courtesy of a morbid Instagram post, one hero has shot to the top of our death list:

Thor might die in Avengers: Doomsday

Chris Hemsworth’s latest statement carries a tone of finality. pic.twitter.com/az0KHLeSYE

— Mohammed Ihsan (@ihsan21792) May 29, 2025

Hemsworth discussing about playing Thor in the past tense certainly sounds ominous and though he almost certainly still has scenes to shoot in Doomsday, he may have received the plot outline containing his death early and felt the need to send a message to fans.

Thor dying in Doomsday also makes a lot of sense. Over the last 14 years, there have been four Thor solo movies and Hemsworth has made five appearances in ensemble movies – meaning he’s had to keep in God of Thunder shape for a long time. That takes its toll on an actor, and we’re betting Hemsworth is more than ready to ease off the superhero physical training regime and enjoy life a little.

Hemsworth’s health 2u3726

More pointedly, back in 2022, Hemsworth revealed he’d discovered he has a gene that makes him eight to ten times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s than the average person. Discovering this made him reevaluate his life and career, telling Vanity Fair:

“It really triggered something in me to want to take some time off. … Now when I finish this tour this week, I’m going home and I’m going to have a good chunk of time off and just simplify. Be with the kids, be with my wife.”

Who can blame him for wanting to jump off the Marvel Studios superhero hamster wheel and kick back to spend some quality time with his family? Even so, if Thor’s days are numbered, we’re sure Doomsday will send him out with a bang – likely at the hands of Doctor Doom himself.

If you’re skeptical that Doom has the power to take out an Asgardian think again, Doom is at least as powerful as Doctor Strange, an incredibly talented physical combatant and a technological genius. Doom will know how to take down Thor, and he won’t hesitate to deliver a killing blow.

Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters on Dec. 18, 2026.

The movie industry is currently in turmoil as Donald Trump‘s promise of a “100% Tariff on any and all Movies coming into our Country that are produced in Foreign Lands” sinks in. Trump is aiming at countries offering incentives for Hollywood studios to film abroad, which he describes as a “national security threat” and “propaganda”.

It’s unclear exactly how and when this movie tariff will happen, but Trump insists that it should “immediately begin”. This announcement is a nightmare scenario for major studios, but particularly for Disney and Marvel Studios.

Avengers: Doomsday began principal photography at London’s Pinewood Studios on Apr. 28 and is scheduled to be there for the next six months, and its massive budget was offset by the UK government paying 25% of that as an incentive to shoot there. UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves even specifically mentioned the Avengers when unveiling their incentives plan in February.

Marvel Studios shooting Doomsday and Secret Wars in Pinewood was no surprise. Black Widow, Eternals, Deadpool & Wolverine, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, and The Marvels were all shot there, with directors appreciating the depth of British production crew experience and the technical VFX facilities on offer. Now, all this may have to change, and fast.

What’s next? 733r10

Pretty sure this puts an immediate block on production of #Avengers #Doomsday and #SecretWars. $DIS has budgeted for the UK government paying 25% of the $1bn cost. This is more than wiped out by the tariff so production has to shift to the US where there is no 25% reimbursement pic.twitter.com/Eb46f085XX

— Movieconomics (@movieconomics) May 5, 2025

Doomsday is the precise kind of movie Trump has in his sights for a tariff – an American production shot overseas taking advantage of foreign tax breaks. It’s unclear exactly how tariffs will be applied to a movie, but when it comes to a billion-dollar prospect like Doomsday, the tariff cost to Disney and Marvel Studios may end up in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

That means Disney and Marvel Studios have an incredibly tricky decision in front of them. One option is to continue filming in the United Kingdom as scheduled. After all, Trump may simply be blowing hot air, these tariffs will never happen, or prove too complex to be istered. But that’s both a gamble and, as a megabudget tentpole blockbuster, they’re painting a target on their back if they’re thought to be openly defying Trump.

The other option is to simply pause production, throw away the week of footage that’s been shot, and relocate to Pinewood Atlanta (aka Trilith Studios). But it’s not quite as simple as packing the sets up and flying them across the Atlantic. Marvel Studios will have to wait in line for other productions to wrap to have the space, need to find a crew and backstage team, and set up a new production headquarters. Then there’d be the financial untangling and contractual disputes involved in canceling the British shoot, not to mention the scheduling issues with the massive cast.

Basically, it’s a massive headache but if Disney really is weighing that against the cost of a massive tariff, it may be the only economically feasible option. If this happens, a release date delay will be inevitable, and Doomsday needing to be a summer blockbuster would mean it’d likely take Secret Wars‘ release date of May 7, 2027. And, of course, that’d push Secret Wars back to 2028…

Leave it up to Marvel Studios to choose the most agonizing way imaginable to announce the official Avengers: Doomsday cast list.

At around 11am EST on March 26, the studio launched a livestream on YouTube and X that only showed a director’s chair emblazoned with Chris Hemsworth’s name. Hemsworth immediately began trending, prompting assumptions that Marvel was about to make some kind of release reveal, perhaps even about Thor 5. Roughly 15 minutes later, the camera panned to a new chair featuring Vanessa Kirby’s name. This led to speculation that Marvel was, in fact, officially unveiling its Doomsday cast list. And it was.

Despite the announcement moving at a snail’s pace, it drew over 10 million curious onlookers as well as a fair share of hilarious GIFs and memes. Fans were understandably itching for the full list, but had to wait nearly five hours for the satisfying ending (and a gorgeous little cameo from the film’s biggest star). This curious form of torture had many wondering what was worse: waiting to see names like Tom Holland appear, or watching paint dry. Thankfully, the announcement’s satisfying ending confirmed what many of us knew all along.

Who has officially been cast in Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Doomsday? 6v735r

The nearly five-and-a-half-hour stunt revealed a spectrum of colorful casting announcements ⏤ many of which were expected, but others of which were a complete surprise. Marvel has also confirmed that Doomsday is officially in production, and with the following mind-blowing names attached (in order of how they were revealed):

• Chris Hemsworth
• Vanessa Kirby
• Anthony Mackie
• Sebastian Stan
• Letitia Wright
• Paul Rudd
• Wyatt Russell
• Tenoch Huerta Mejia
• Ebon Moss-Bachrach
• Simu Liu
• Florence Pugh
• Kelsey Grammer
• Lewis Pullman
• Danny Ramirez
• Joseph Quinn
• David Harbour
• Winston Duke
• Hannah John-Kamen
• Tom Hiddleston
• Patrick Stewart
• Ian McKellen
• Alan Cumming
• Rebecca Romijn
• James Marsden
• CHANNING TATUM (sorry, excited beyond measure)
• Pedro Pascal
• ……and, of course, Robert Downey Jr., whose cameo can be seen above!

The biggest delights were easily the crew of former X-Men, including Grammer, Stewart, McKellen, Cumming, Romijn, and Marsden. The biggest surprise, however? Channing Tatum’s Gambit! The Deadpool & Wolverine breakout became an instant fan fave, requiring that Marvel resurrect him again in the very near future. (Though I’ll it, the accent needs work). This influx of talent, combined with the returns of Wright, Pugh, Liu, and the new Fantastic Four: First Steps cast, is already suggesting that Doomsday will be a cinematic event only previously topped by Avengers: Endgame. The time to mentally and emotionally prepare is now, kittens. This one is going to be the ride of a multiversal lifetime.

Marvel’s painfully slow announcement prompts hilarious reactions 2l6249

As MCU fans patiently waited for Marvel to finish its announcement, GIFs and memes landed on X faster than Anthony Mackie with a broken wing. While many poked fun at how old we’d be by the time the full cast was revealed, some wondered if there would be any mind-blowing surprises. And as we now know, there were.

No one could deny how painful Hump Day became as a result of the announcement’s glacial pace.

Feelings of despair ran rampant as we waited for a new name to drop every 15 minutes (why, Marvel?!).

It was quite literally as if the Zootopia sloth had decided this was the best way to share the news with the masses.

Would we be alive by the time this thing was done? It was anyone’s guess.

Obligatory Rose DeWitt Bukater drop.

It was indeed the most random day for this to be happening.

And Scarlet Witch fans wasted no time screaming about the potential lack of an Elizabeth Olsen chair.

As expected, Olsen’s chair did not appear, which is why the internet did not burst into flame before day’s end.

Although it came close when Kelsey Grammer’s name was announced!

And you could literally hear the screams when the X-Men ’97 theme played and Charles Xavier himself was revealed.

Sadly, Chris Evans’ was not.

Nor was Ariana Grande.

While there were so many names left off the official list ⏤ Tom Holland, Zendaya, Oscar Isaac, Andrew Garfield, Tobey Maguire, and Hugh Jackman among them ⏤ sweethearts, there’s still time. If nothing else, we were given a juicy glimpse of just how insane this movie is going to be ⏤ and now May 1, 2026 cannot come soon enough.

Elizabeth Olsen has confirmed that she won’t be appearing in the Avengers installments, Doomsday and Secret Wars, as she looks to make career “choices outside of Marvel.” 

The actress — whose portrayal of the Scarlet Witch was put on ice after the events of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness — made the revelation in a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter. While Wanda Maximoff has been a fixture of the MCU for over a decade, with appearances in Captain America, Avengers, What If..? and the Emmy-winning WandaVision, Olsen said the focus of her career moving forward won’t necessarily be defined by Marvel. 

“I didn’t realize this until about six years ago, but because Marvel and its influence takes up so much physical time and space in the world, it’s really important for me to make choices outside of Marvel that reflect my own taste,” Olsen said. She went on to add that an actor’s choice of which movies to work on is a reflection of their “taste,” which “does create the artist that you are.” Olsen, who earlier this month appeared to leave the door open for a Marvel return, said her moves to work outside of the MCU are indicative of where she’s at in her career. 

“The opportunity to return to [non-Marvel] films is a reflection of the people I want to work with and my own personal taste,” she told The Hollywood Reporter. As for the specific projects that have replaced her Marvel roles, Olsen is currently promoting the science fiction thriller film The Assessment, while her role in an FX series is what took her away from filming Doomsday and Secret Wars. Those Russo Brothers-directed movies are set to begin back-to-back filming in London soon, and Olsen just left that city to shoot the TV show. 

Elizabeth Olsen says she will not return as Scarlet Witch in ‘AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY’ and ‘AVENGERS: SECRET WARS’

(Source: https://t.co/L7PmzbtRxE) pic.twitter.com/T38HIibwuP

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) March 24, 2025

“I’m moving on to filming a pilot for FX [called Seven Sisters],” Olsen revealed, with the competing filming schedule confirming that she won’t be appearing in the forthcoming Avengers installments. Elsewhere in the interview, Olsen reflected on a non-Marvel role that she was forced to relinquish due to her being cast in Avengers: Age of Ultron. For those unfamiliar, Olsen was in talks to star in Yorgos Lanthimos’ film The Lobster back in 2015, but had to pull out of the project to work on the Avengers sequel. 

“I was intrigued by [The Assessment] in the same way I was intrigued by reading The Lobster,” the actress reflected. Of course, Olsen’s absence from Doomsday and Secret Wars and openness to roles outside of Marvel does not mean she ruled out of the MCU forever. A few weeks ago, the actress said she felt “lucky” to have played Wanda for a decade and teased that she’d “love to do more” movies as the character, but her recent revelation means those movies won’t be the Avengers installments. 

While Olsen is out, we do know for sure that Robert Downey Jr. is on board for Doomsday (who could forget that Comic Con reveal?), while Anthony Mackie, Chris Evans and Charlie Cox are also reportedly attached. Will have to wait and see how the film fares (especially in the wake of the Russo Brothers’ recent flop The Electric State) when Doomsday hits cinemas in 2026.  

Avengers: Doomsday will be here before you know it. After the Russo brothers’ latest moviemaking effort, Netflix’s The Electric State, has been met with merciless reviews, we needed something to restore our faith that arguably Marvel’s most popular directors know what they are doing. Sure enough, some new official news from the studio about the long-awaited Avengers 5 promises it will tie up the Multiverse Saga in a neat bow.

Alternatively, to go for a more action-oriented metaphor befitting a superhero blockbuster, what Marvel has just confirmed about Doomsday all but states outright how the film will connect the various colored wires of recent MCU lore together to ensure this current phase of Marvel storytelling goes out with a crowd-pleasing, thrilling, explosive bang. Although hopefully the Russos will hand in a billion-dollar hit and not another bomb.

Avengers: Doomsday detail confirms how it will tie together the Multiverse Saga 4ce3u

As per financial listings from Marvel Studios acquired by Forbes, Avengers: Doomsday — which is now shooting in the U.K. — is being produced through a Disney subsidiary newly created for the film called For All Time Productions UK. “For All Time” is a phrase that will immediately jump out to MCU die-hards as it alludes to the motto of the Time Variance Authority (TVA).

As introduced in 2021’s Loki season 1, the TVA is the extradimensional organization that monitors and maintains the integrity of the Sacred Timeline. As often said by their (surprisingly creepy) cartoon mascot Miss Minutes, the TVA’s slogan is “For All Time, Always.” So, with Doomsday‘s production holding company sporting that same phrase, we can no doubt safely assume the TVA will play a key role in its storyline.

This only makes sense from what little we know of its plot. The TVA already made the leap to the big screen in 2024’s Deadpool & Wolverine, in which they recruited Wade Wilson to help protect the multiverse. It’s easy to imagine that the TVA could do the same thing with the Avengers once Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom raises his metal head and causes a ruckus across reality.

It was likely always the plan for the TVA to play a big part in Avengers 5, as Loki season 1 established that it was secretly run by He Who Remains, a variant of Jonathan Majors’ Kang, the Multiverse Saga’s original big bad. Following Majors’ firing, however, Kang’s importance to the narrative is expected to be all but eradicated. Still, with the TVA breaking free of Kang’s control in Loki season 2, its involvement shouldn’t cause too much of a headache for the Russos and writer Stephen McFeely.

What is no doubt causing Team Doomsday to have sleepless nights is the enormous challenge of integrating the frankly bloated cast of superheroes that now occupy Earth-199999. The Russos have itted that Marvel had to give them a specially made set of baseball cards in order for them to keep track of every major character that’s currently active in the MCU. On a side note, when and where can we get ourselves a set of those cards, please and thank you?

Avengers: Doomsday will change the MCU for all time, always, when it eventually hits theaters on May 1, 2026.

Much has changed in the world of moviemaking since Avengers: Endgame came out in 2019. For starters, the Marvel machine is no longer a guaranteed blockbuster engine and somehow even Endgame‘s own directors can’t be trusted to be deliver the goods anymore, either. Ahead of their grand return to the MCU with next year’s Avengers: Doomsday, the Russos just deployed Netflix’s most expensive movie of all time, The Electric State, and reviews have been more brutal than Thanos.

Critics have dubbed the $320 million production “totally incoherent,” “soulless digital content,” and potentially even “harmful to movies.” With a abysmal Rotten Tomatoes score of just 18%, it’s easily the worst-received film the Russos have ever made (and they directed You, Me & Dupree!). As you would hope, the filmmaking brothers have itted they have learned some lessons working on this movie that will impact on how they go about making Avengers 5. Although their biggest takeaway is actually something they believe they got right.

The Electric State will have one positive impact on Avengers: Doomsday 4tl15

One thing that even The Electric State‘s harshest critics all agree on is that the integration of CG characters into its live-action world is on another level from what we typically see from Hollywood, with the various robots that Chris Pratt and Millie Bobby Brown’s characters interact with seem impressively tactile and real. Unsurprisingly, this updated tech is something the Russos are keen to explore further on their next two Avengers films.

When speaking on how their Netflix not-buster has prepared them for Doomsday, Joe Russo said that it’s The Electric State‘s “refinement of motion capture” that is the main thing they will carry with them back into the MCU.

“There’s new methods that are available now to help capture it on set,” he explained in a new interview. “The tricky thing, when you’re working with visual effects, is, if it’s a green screen, we have an award-winning camera operator we work with, named Geoff Haley,” he explained. “He has nothing to frame to, other than a face.”

Anthony Russo then added, “But, when you’re layering in on sets, rough comps into the eyepiece for him, now he can actually do his job. These are some of the advancements that are really enhancing the quality and look of the effects in movies.” 

As epic and as satisfying as Endgame undoubtedly is, some of its visual effects could certainly be improved on — the muddy backdrop of the final battle springs to mind — so this is actually one way in which The Electric State feeding into Doomsday is exciting to hear. In every other department, though, we need the Russos to wipe the slate clean and what they got so right with their earlier Marvel entries: big budgets aren’t as important to a film as big ideas and a big heart.

OK, one more thing we wouldn’t mind from The Electric State is Millie Bobby Brown. She is due a superhero gig now her Stranger Things co-star Sadie Sink has ed Spider-Man 4.

The end of Marvel’s Multiverse Saga will be here sooner than you think. Although May 2027 sounds like the far future, we’re fast approaching just two years until Avengers: Secret Wars hits screens, following one year on from Doomsday‘s arrival in spring 2026. Filming is already underway, in fact, on Avengers 5, and directors the Russos have just revealed our first concrete detail about the MCU’s attempt to one-up Endgame. And fans all have the same complaint.

While promoting their new Netflix sci-fi film The Electric State (which is, sadly, not getting great early notices, but we’re hoping that’s not a bad sign for their Marvel return), the Russos brothers were asked what the runtimes for Avengers 5 and 6 might be. While the length of an MCU movie is typically one of the last things we learn about it, given that often the final cuts of these things are only locked in right before they enter theaters, the Russos already have a clear vision in mind for their next epic two-part event.

And epic is indeed the word. “If I were a betting man,” Joe Russo revealed in a new interview, “I would say the first one is two and a half, and the second one’s three hours.” That sounds right on brand for the Russos, considering that’s pretty much a direct match to the runtimes for Infinity War and Endgame as well. Although you’d think a full 180 minutes for Secret Wars would be enough to satiate superhero lovers, it seems most have the same criticism to this news: make it five hours and we’re golden.

Pfft, 3 hours? Been there, done that. How about a four-hour Marvel movie?

I wanna see a 4 hour long Marvel movie https://t.co/o1CLnBL9FU

— (@KingsDeebo) March 5, 2025

Are we meant to be impressed? Come back to us when your films are as long as the LOTR special editions.

Me after watching all three LOTR extended edition movie on the regular https://t.co/IOtN9TgHpJ pic.twitter.com/a36zah41CT

— Gundam Ver. Chu (@SoulinkChu) March 5, 2025

If Marvel really wanted to impress us they should’ve gone for a three-part Avengers event, with Secret Wars split into two.

secret war should be two parts https://t.co/gR6DTgvkxY

— Wanda’s PR Manager (@wandasprmanager) March 5, 2025

At first glance, fans wanting Secret Wars to be longer than three hours might seem greedy, but there is a certain logic to this request. After all, Endgame barely managed to wrap up the Infinity Saga in that same space of time and SW has an even bigger job in sewing the disparate, tangled threads of the multiverse together. Besides, having Doomsday and Secret Wars fit so neatly into the format and structure the Russos used before on IW and Endgame only reinforces the idea that the studio is looking to recapture past glories rather than attempt to boldly go where the franchise has never gone before.

If there was any film series that could have the clout to attempt a Brutalist-like runtime, maybe even with an intermission in the middle, it would be Marvel. Going by all the grumbling that a bladder-breaking 180-minute length is too short, clearly many out there would be willing to remain glued to their seats for, say, 3 hours, 30 minutes to 4 hours. Even so, Marvel is likely of the opinion that if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. Just wait until we get to Avengers 15 at the end of the Stilt-Man Saga in 2055, though. That one’s bound to be 10 hours long.

Joe and Anthony Russo, the directing duo behind the Avengers: Doomsday, have revealed the process behind developing the Marvel sequel’s new villain, Doctor Doom.

For those unversed in MCU lore, Victor von Doom is all set to be the universe’s next Big Bad, with Iron Man actor Robert Downey Jr. on board to don the villain’s infamous green suit. Ahead of the film’s release midway through next year, the filmmaker siblings, who also helmed Avengers: Endgame, pulled back the curtain on exactly how Downey is preparing for the role, summarizing the process as “very intense.”

Joe Russo says Robert Downey Jr is doing detailed research to prepare to play Doctor Doom

“He’s writing backstory, costume ideas… He just loves really rich 3-dimensional characters & I think he sees a real opportunity here with the character”

(Source: https://t.co/I1HNsNkVvm) pic.twitter.com/IXLz0Ep29T

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) March 5, 2025

“It’s a very intense process developing the character,” Joe Russo recently told Entertainment Tonight. “[Downey] is so immersed in it. He is so dialed in.” The acclaimed actor is so immersed, in fact, that the Russo brothers said he has apparently conceived of a backstory for Doctor Doom, as well as ideated some potential costume ideas. Somewhere out there, the screenwriters and costume designers are fearful that Downey is coming for their bag, but the directors said that is simply how Downey operates.

“We were just on the phone with him this morning before we got here talking about it,” Joe said. “I think [Downey] just loves really rich, three-dimensional characters, and I think he sees a real opportunity here with that character.” Filming for the entry into the Avengers franchise is expected to begin soon, and comes a year after Downey revealed his involvement in the film to much shock and awe at the 2024 San Diego Comic-Con. “New mask, same task,” Downey said as he interrupted the . “What did I tell ya? I like playing complicated characters.”

The reveal of Robert Downey Jr as Doctor Doom. pic.twitter.com/zvDBeMrrvN

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) July 28, 2024

Details beyond Downey’s character-development process remain scarce, to the point where some of his fellow Marvel stars were just as surprised as us about his return to the franchise. Jeremy Renner, who plays Hawkeye, said there was “not a peep” about Downey’s role in the Avengers group chat he shares with the actor (how does one score an invite to that?), while Doctor Strange actor Benedict Cumberbatch said he texted Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige a simple “what the f***?” upon hearing the news. You and me both, Benny. Cumby? Batchy">vague teases given by the Russo brothers last month. The siblings revealed they are shooting Doomsday and Secret Wars “fairly back-to-back” and said it will be “a lot of work.” Joe also added that the pair “may or may not survive, but since this is the MCU, they can always pull a Downey and return, anyway. Avengers: Doomsday is expected to hit cinemas on May 1, 2026.

Marvel just experienced perhaps the biggest leak in its 16-year history. A confirmed concept artist for Marvel Studios inadvertently shared exclusive art from the most anticipated films of the MCU’s slate, namely The Fantastic Four: The First Steps, Avengers: Secret Wars, and more.

Artist Mushk Rizvi shared the leak on their official website, sparking immediate conversation online among eagle-eyed Marvel fans. The art was swiftly taken down from Rizvi’s site. Or more accurately, Rizvi’s entire website went dark, as did every one of their social media s, including Instagram, Facebook, and X. One can only assume the Marvel execs, namely Kevin Feige, popped a blood vessel when news of the leak reached their desks.

The MCU has endured a rough couple of years since the conclusion of Avengers: Endgame. The long-running storytelling machine has ran face first into numerous critical and box office hit-or-misses throughout Phases Four and Five, leading fans to question how much gas the studio has left in the tank. In response, the studio has pulled back, throwing up metaphorical “under construction” signs. But somehow, we just got a glimpse through the cracks. If even half of this leaked concept art comes to life, the MCU might just be entering another golden age.

Note: This leak is huge and is a major spoiler for the conclusion of Marvel’s Multiverse Saga. To maintain the theatrical integrity of the films, WGTC has chosen not to embed the links into this article. Instead, we have linked out to them, allowing readers to choose whether they wish to see them or not.

The most detailed leak of the bunch come from what appears to be Avengers: Doomsday, at least according to initial reports; trusted insider My Time To Shine has said the art is actually from Avengers: Secret Wars. The standout image shows Doctor Doom seated on a throne, clad in white armor reminiscent of the Secret Wars (2015) comic run. It looks like Doom rules over a universe of his own making — presumably Battleworld. At first blush, Reed Richards appears absent and all we see is a woman who could be Sue Storm standing beside Doom with, presumably, Franklin by her side. Another woman with a blonde braid down her back holds a thick chain wrapped around the neck (or hands) of a man kneeling at Doom’s throne. That woman shares a resemblance to Yelena Belova, and the chained man may or may not be Reed Richards. If it’s not Reed, it could suggest he is stranded elsewhere, trying to reunite with his family in Battleworld. The image also reveals Doctor Strange’s unmistakable silhouette, which might explain why Benedict Cumberbatch previously stated he won’t appear in Doomsday but will return for Secret Wars.

Another long-speculated decision seems to be confirmed: the introduction of a new Black Panther. The leak all but guarantees a recasting of the role, originally embodied by the late Chadwick Boseman. Given the film’s shifting timelines, Marvel could introduce an older Black Panther, possibly played by Denzel Washington. Those long held rumors could finally be coming true.

Some concept art introduces entirely original MCU ideas that are not rooted in any comic run, making predictions rather difficult. One such image shows Star-Lord sitting on a couch next to White Vision. Another depicts a medieval planet ruled by Hulks, of which we see Tatiana Maslany’s She-Hulk and Mark Ruffalo’s Bruce Banner-Hulk front and center talking to someone who may or may not be Hulk’s son, Skaar. Another image reveals Star-Lord and Wong in a Guardians of the Galaxy-esque bar surrounded by of the Young Avengers team, of which includes Kate Bishop, Stature aka Cassie Lang, Tommy Maximoff aka Speed, Billy Maximoff/Kaplan aka Wiccan, and Ms. Marvel. The direction of these stories remains unclear, but they hint at major shake-ups.

How will all of this unfold in the final films? We don’t truly know. As Sean Baker said in his Oscar speech for Anora, we’ll just have to head to the theaters and find out.

Marvel‘s 2025 slate has only just begun — and can only get better from here after Captain America: Brave New World — but it’s hard not to already start thinking about what’s to come for the MCU in 2026. In many years, what the studio has in store for us this year is just a precursor to what could well be the most significant year for the cinematic universe since the Infinity Saga ended in 2019.

Seeing as Marvel’s schedule seems to switch around much more these days than it used to, things could still change, but — as of this early stage in the year — it appears we already know the full slate of what’s to come from the MCU in 2026. All told, it currently seems like the studio has four movies and six TV projects to offer up over the following calendar year, making 10 separate releases in total. Basically, Marvel fans, you ain’t gonna starve.

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Untitled Marvel film #1 – Feb. 13 4s5228

First up on the slate is this mystery Marvel release pegged to drop almost 12 months to the day after Brave New World. Unfortunately, given its impending arrival and the fact we don’t think Marvel has shot a whole movie without us knowing, there is a good chance this date could be pulled from the calendars. At one time, it’s likely this would’ve been filled by Armor Wars, but now we know that’s deader than Tony Stark. Speaking of…

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Iron Man may be dead, but Robert Downey Jr. is back in the MCU as Doctor Doom. That’s right, we’re already almost at the end of the Multiverse Saga, with Avengers: Doomsday set to offer the first part of an epic, no doubt gargantuanly expensively tale that will conclude a year later with 2027’s Secret Wars. Can the Russos and co. make something that measures up to the might of Infinity War and Endgame? That is the $3 billion question.

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If we’re very, very lucky, 2026 could deliver the best one-two punch of MCU movies we’ve had in years. That’s assuming that Doomsday is everything we want it to be and Spider-Man 4 is a worthy follow-up to No Way Home. Tom Holland and Zendaya are back for this top-secret sequel which shoots in London this summer. Expect something a little different from the Homecoming trilogy with Shang-Chi director Destin Daniel Cretton at the helm.

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There’s so much mystery surrounding Marvel’s 2026 movie slate it’s like Kevin Feige’s been replaced with Quentin Beck. This November slot was definitely originally intended to be filled by Blade, but it remains to be seen if Marvel can pull it together in time. Considering The Fantastic Four was made super-fast, it’s not necessarily impossible. Worst case scenario, we only get 2 MCU films next year. If that happens, at least we’ve got six TV releases to tide us over…

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Wonder Man actually kicks off this year, but its final episodes will presumably drop across January after it premieres in December 2025. This comedic series follows Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Simon Williams, a Hollywood star turned superhero. The show has been dubbed a “love letter to acting” by Marvel’s head of television Brad Winderbaum, who also called it “the best show no one’s ever seen.” All right, color us intrigued.

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Anyone who thinks Marvel’s 2025 is off to a bad start after Brave New World, do yourself a favor and binge Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, an innovative yet nostalgic Spidey cartoon in the classic mold. Thankfully, Marvel’s confirmed to be committing to yearly releases of this show for the immediate future. Season 2 is 100% coming in 2026 and a third is expected for 2027.

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On a similar note, X-Men ’97 blew Marvel-loving audiences away when it debuted on Disney Plus in spring 2024. After a year’s break, the acclaimed sequel to the 1990s’ X-Men: The Animated Series is back for another run of action-packed, allegorical adventures in 2026. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that the ugly behind-the-drama surrounding the show doesn’t impact on its quality.

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Daredevil: Born Again was originally ordered for 18 episodes, which were ultimately carved in two, so it’s no surprise that season 2 will follow hot on the first run’s heels in 2026. Unfortunately, Marvel must’ve misplaced an episode somewhere as season 2 is confirmed to consist of eight episodes rather than nine. Filming is already about to begin in NYC, with Charlie Cox, Vincent D’Onofrio, and Deborah Ann Woll all definitely returning.

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In a welcome surprise twist, Marvel has also recently announced that Born Again season 2 will be accompanied by another Defenders Saga spin-off. Namely, a Special Presentation — you know, like Werewolf by Night and the Guardians holiday special — starring Jon Bernthal’s Punisher. “It’s like a shotgun blast of a story, but also has all the pathos and emotion that you want out of a Frank Castle story,” said hype man extraordinaire Winderbaum.

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Last but not least, in the wake of Agatha All Along‘s success, the WandaVision-Verse continues with a second spin-off in the form of Vision Quest (provisional title). This time, Paul Bettany is back as White Vision, as he goes on a journey of self-discovery… and probably also a journey of actual discovery, if rumors that he’ll track down his long-lost son, Tommy/Speed, are to be believed. Also watch out for James Spader’s Ultron (!) and *checks notes* that terrorist who kidnapped Tony in Iron Man. Truly, the MCU is coming full circle.

Spare a thought for Joe and Anthony Russo, who seem to have only just realized what they have condemned themselves to for the next few years. When Marvel handed them a sack of money and an even bigger set of action figures to play with than last time, agreeing to direct both Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars probably seemed like a smart move. Now the films are due to shoot back-to-back, however, it looks like the brothers are having second thoughts.

At the premiere of their new Netflix movie, The Electric State, the Russos were inevitably asked for more info about Doomsday. And going by their dead-eyed expressions, they may already be regretting g up for what could well be an even more ambitious undertaking than, well, the last time they ended an MCU saga in an epic two-part cinematic event. At least then they didn’t have the pressure of one-upping themselves.

The Russos tease that Avengers: Doomsday‘s death count may include them 3ez6x

The Russo Brothers confirm ‘AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY’ and ‘AVENGERS: SECRET WARS’ are filming in London

“Not in LA, it’s all in London, we’re shooting them fairly back to back, it’s a lot of work again, we may or may not survive we’ll see”

(via: @DEADLINE) pic.twitter.com/8O3bckSQUf

— Captain America News (@UpdatesCAP4) February 25, 2025

With Doomsday only just beginning its lengthy shoot in London, you might expect the Russos to be full of energy and excitement about what lays before them. Except, now that they’re actually starting work on this Celestial-sized behemoth of a blockbuster, it looks like they’re having second thoughts about g that new contract with Kevin Feige.

When asked on the red carpet about Doomsday‘s status, Joe Russo confirmed Avengers 5 and 6 will be shot “fairly back-to-back” and that they’re fully aware it’s going to be “a lot of work.” He then added, “We may or may not survive, we’ll see.” We’re pretty sure that’s a joke, but while saying it he did look a bit like a weary Captain America just before all the portals open in Endgame.

The interviewer then decided to take a stab at uncovering some spoilers (maybe try Anthony Mackie next time), asking the directors whether we can expect any X-Men cameos. “Who knows, I don’t know,” Joe answers curtly. When pressed if Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman could return as Deadpool and Wolverine, a brusque Russo replied, “Maaaybe, who knows… Anybody in the Marvel bag could show up in this movie.” Joe, I hate to tell you this, but you are going to be asked that question 616 times over the next 12 months.

Nobody else knows just how enormous a task the Russos have ahead of them, as only they have attempted to do something as crazy this before. e.g make two giant-sized Marvel movies that need to wrap up years of multimedia storytelling in explosive fashion over one enormous two-year period. In this same interview, Russo teases the “way into the story” the pair dreamed up that will be “challenging for audiences and challenging for us to execute.” So it sounds like they’ve made it even harder for themselves this time around. Boys, we wish you the best of luck in achieving your death-wish. Although it may have just been quicker to yeet yourselves off a clifftop on Vormir.