Even though there are two more big-screen Marvel Cinematic Universe releases upon us this year, fans are looking ahead to what’s in store with Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. The highly ambitious endeavors will bring the Russo Brothers back to the MCU to direct, and the pair are no strangers to epic Avengers stories, having already helmed Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. Doomsday is up first in 2026, and the directing duo are now giving a little bit of a tease about what’s to come from the film’s story.
During a chat with The Hollywood Reporter to promote their Netflix film The Electric State, the conversation turned to Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. They were first asked if any new faces would be joining the film, to which Joe Russo stated, “I think we’re always looking for new faces, cause there’s always new stories to tell.” From there, the director teased the “very radical” direction that the story will take.

“I think these movies are gonna be a surprise to people. We found a way into a story that’s very exciting to use, but, we think, very radical, and I think it’s gonna challenge audiences.”

‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Will See the Radical Return of Robert Downey Jr.

While those comments don’t give away specific plot points, they do line up with what fans know about the film, particularly with a big casting announcement made at last year’s San Diego Comic-Con. It was there that a packed room of shocked fans learned that Robert Downey Jr. would be returning to the MCU, not as Iron Man, who went out as a true hero in Avengers: Endgame, but as Doctor Doom, a signature villain that has appeared in many different Marvel comic book stories. That news itself was pretty radical and made fans immediately question how this would exactly transpire in the next two Avengers films, where he’s expected to be the next Big Bad that our heroes have to face.

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The return of Downey Jr. began to spark more rumors that have, so far, been unsubstantiated. Reports began to surface that Chris Evans, whose time as Captain American seemingly ended with Avengers: Endgame, is also expected to return for Doomsday and Secret Wars. While Evans has frequently stated that he has hung up his shield and Anthony Mackie is now Captain America, that hasn’t stopped rampant fan speculation, with some thinking he could return as an evil variant of the star-spangled hero. Again, none of this has been officially confirmed, but with Downey Jr. officially returning as Doctor Doom, maybe they’re exploring Doctor Doom and his potential Dark Avengers.
If there is one thing that is certain, the Russo Brothers are no stranger to the MCU through epic standalone films (Captain America: The Winter Solider and Captain America: Civil War) and massive, expansive MCU endeavors such as Infinity War and Endgame. They’re certainly up to the task, and fans will have to just wait and see what they’re cooking up for these next big adventures featuring Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.

Avengers: Doomsday hits screens on May 1, 2026.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter