Credit: Inside the MagicMarvel Studios is keeping story details tightly sealed, but one thing is clear: 2026’s Avengers: Doomsday is being treated as a pressure test for the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Early reactions, at least from industry insiders, suggest cautious optimism. Speaking on The Hot Mic, Jeff Sneider offered a glimpse into how the film is currently tracking behind the scenes.
“It’s still very much in post. Let me see if I have anything on that. I did check in before the show, just in case. I did get a little something. Avengers is in post, and they still have a lot of pick-ups to do, but the buzz is good. The buzz is good. You’re going to like it,” Sneider said. “You’re going to like the movie.”
Those comments arrive as Doomsday heads into additional photography this spring, with filming already spotted in London. According to Geek Tyrant:
While previous reports claimed Avengers: Doomsday reshoots were scheduled to begin in April, recent photos indicate production may have started early in London. No cast members were spotted, but crew wearing Avengers: Doomsday jackets were seen filming scenes staged in what appears to be World War II era London.
That Multiverse focus has become increasingly central to Marvel’s long-term strategy, especially as the studio works to rebuild momentum following a turbulent stretch between Phase Four and the present.
It’s against that backdrop that Marvel is positioning Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars (2027) as a reset. Rather than serving as simple follow-ups, the two films are intended to recalibrate the MCU’s power structure and narrative priorities, setting the stage for what Marvel has already dubbed the Mutant Saga.
One of the clearest signals of that intent is the return of Joe and Anthony Russo. After steering Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), Captain America: Civil War (2016), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), and Avengers: Endgame (2019), the Russos are back to direct both upcoming Avengers films.
The scope of Doomsday reflects that ambition, with an ensemble cast spanning the almost two decades of MCU movies and TV shows.
Marvel added further intrigue during the theatrical run of Avatar: Fire and Ash (2025), attaching teaser footage for Doomsday that showcased Chris Evans’ Steve Rogers, Thor, X-Men characters, and Wakandan heroes encountering Ebon Moss-Bachrach’s Ben Grimm/Thing. The footage confirmed that Evans Captain America remains part of Marvel’s plans.
Evans’ continued involvement ties directly into one of Doomsday’s most talked-about elements: the return of Robert Downey Jr. This time, the actor is stepping into the role of Victor Von Doom. After defining the Infinity Saga as Tony Stark/Iron Man, Downey is now set to portray one of Marvel Comics’ most formidable antagonists. Doctor Doom was first teased in the post-credits scene of The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025), where he appeared opposite Franklin Richards.
Early speculation suggests this version of Doom may not fit neatly into a traditional villain role. Popular theories place him in morally ambiguous territory, potentially acting as a rival power rather than a clear-cut enemy, as Thanos (Josh Brolin) was. One recurring idea connects Doom’s motivations to Steve Rogers, possibly tied to the unintended fallout from Rogers’ time travel in Avengers: Endgame. Marvel has not confirmed any of these details.
Leaks and insider chatter have offered additional, though unverified, hints about the film’s opening moments. Reports suggest that the opening of Doomsday will feature Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man fighting the X-Men, notably Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine. Interestingly, neither of these names has been included in any casting announcement thus far.
Additionally, follow-up reports also claim that Doomsday will be an epic event, outdoing the previous Avengers entries. That remains to be seen; in fact, more recent insider updates place Doomsday in a potentially polarizing position.
Industry scooper Daniel Richtman shared his thoughts on social media, stating, “I have mixed feelings about the direction they’re taking with Avengers: Doomsday/Secret Wars. Some of it sounds super epic, but there are certain decisions I don’t want to spoil that I really don’t understand, and I think they’re going to make people REALLY angry,” the insider said (via Comic Book Movie).
It’s clear that reports and rumors about Avengers: Doomsday are coming thick and fast as the movie reportedly nears its reshoot phase this spring and Avengers: Secret Wars heads into production. And we may already know more about the Doomsday sequel—or is that “sequels”?
A new Avengers: Secret Wars report has sparked fresh debate among Marvel fans, thanks to a potential Mark Ruffalo spoiler. In a recent promotional appearance by Ruffalo alongside Chris Hemsworth and Halle Berry for their upcoming film Crime 101 (2026), an offhand exchange quickly caught the attention of the Marvel fandom.
While discussing how many superhero movies they’ve each appeared in, Ruffalo appeared to correct Hemsworth’s count, saying, “Six?” Hemsworth responded, “Yeah, but we haven’t shot that one.” Fans immediately interpreted the exchange as a hint that Hemsworth will reprise his role as Thor in Avengers: Secret Wars, despite ongoing speculation that the character may not survive Avengers: Doomsday.
This is not the only time Mark Ruffalo has weighed in on the Avengers productions. The actor recently revealed he would not be part of Doomsday–fans can next see the Academy Award-nominee in Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026) with Tom Holland.
As for the plot of Doomsday, that remains murky. Although reports have positioned the movie as following Doom encountering heroes like The Fantastic Four, Thor, and Loki (Tom Hiddleston) to stop incursions across the Multiverse. That information, paired with the notion that Doomsday and Secret Wars are a “new beginning” for the MCU, could mean that the worlds audiences have come to know won’t survive the next two years.
How do you feel about the Doomsday and Secret Wars reports? Share your thoughts with Inside the Magic in the comments.