Summary

Deadpool & Wolverine’s
director Shawn Levy “is having early conversations” to helm
Avengers 5.

At the time of this writing, Levy hasn’t decided whether he will take on the next
Avengers
film or not.
If Levy were to take the job, let the speculation begin when it comes to whether Ryan Reynold’s Deadpool and Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine will play roles in
Avengers 5.

Did someone say “Marvel Jesus?” Well, here’s the latest news that could truly shake up the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Multiverse: “Top choice” Shawn Levy “is having early conversations” to helm Avengers 5 (per Deadline). What once was The Kang Dynasty, could fall under the purview of the director of this summer’s Deadpool & Wolverine. Reportedly, Michael Waldron’s screenplay for the next Avengers movie has found its way into the hands of Levy.

Today, sources also tell Deadline that Levy has not given Marvel Studios an answer, and the powers-that-be will continue to meet with other potential directors as the waiting game develops. Deadline also reached out to Marvel for a comment, but no one has replied, at the time of this writing. In February, The Hollywood Reporter revealed that The Kang Dynasty would simply be called Avengers 5 for the time being, but Kang could still appear in the film and be recast after the firing of Jonathan Majors.

Levy signing on to direct Avengers 5 could also give rise to implications that Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds), Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) and the X-Men themselves could play a significant part in the fifth Avengers movie. While this is strictly speculation, Levy is close friends with Reynolds and Jackman, so it seems natural to believe both might play a part in an Avengers-led Levy project. It also means the MCU could take a drastic turn in tone more akin to the Merc with a Mouth’s big-screen adventures if all comes to fruition.

The Future of the Avengers, Former Kang Dynasty

Avengers 5 may no longer carry The Kang Dynasty designation, but the word came down back in January that a new actor would replace Jonathan Majors as Kang the Conqueror in the follow-up to Avengers: Endgame. And this last March, Hollywood insider Daniel Richtman reported that there will be not one but two baddies for the Earth’s mightiest heroes to bust heads with (per CBR).

Long before Shawn Levy even ended up with a copy of the Avengers 5 script in his possession, the prediction that the film might be retitled Avengers vs. X-Men — pure speculation at this point and time — already existed. Now, given Levy’s close relationships with both the Merc with a Mouth’s star Ryan Reynolds and “the X-Man,” in Deadpool’s own words, Hugh Jackman, a Mutant-centered Avengers 5 doesn’t seem that far-fetched.

But for now, and until Levy confirms or denies he’s in the running for the new installment, the director is focused on this summer’s Deadpool & Wolverine — and the 2024 box office desperately needs the sequel to succeed. In addition, Levy is well aware of all the recent Marvel misfires. Levy said in an interview with Empire:

You’d have to live under a rock not to know that the last few Marvel movies have failed to ignite the world in the way that so many did. We do come along at an interesting time. And we are decidedly something different. Whether it is of Messianic proportions, time will tell.

Related Deadpool & Wolverine: ‘Everything Changed Radically’ When Hugh Jackman Called Ryan Reynolds About Teaming Up A new interview reveals it was a phone call from Hugh Jackman to Ryan Reynolds that led to their teaming up this summer, not the other way around.

Remember when Deadpool proclaimed himself “Marvel Jesus?” If Levy takes the Avengers 5 gig, and Reynolds is onboard, the Marvel Jesus legend could very well grow. Look for Deadpool & Wolverine when the film hits theaters on July 26.

Avengers 5
is currently slated to drop in theaters on May 1, 2026.