Credit: Marvel StudiosNext year signals a major turning point for the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the Avengers reunite for their long-anticipated fifth outing–though some fans are wondering whether a pivotal 2019 moment could come back to haunt Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.
After several years of unpredictable results at the box office, Marvel Studios is aiming for a course correction. Highs like Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) contrasted sharply with the softer performances of titles such as The Marvels (2023) and Thunderbolts* (2025). Now, the studio is looking to regain momentum with a pair of Avengers films that promise to reshape the franchise’s future.
The Russo Brothers are returning to helm Avengers: Doomsday (2026) and Avengers: Secret Wars (2027), positioning the two-part saga as a creative overhaul meant to push the MCU into its next era.
Doomsday is reportedly one of Marvel’s most expansive ensemble projects yet, featuring both longtime MCU heroes–including Chris Hemsworth’s Thor and Anthony Mackie’s Captain America–and iconic characters from the former 20th Century Studios’ X-Men universe. Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen are stepping back into their roles as Professor X and Magneto, opening the door to a deeper dive into Marvel’s Multiverse.
One of the biggest shifts arrives with the return of Robert Downey Jr.–but not as Tony Stark. Instead, he joins Phase Six as Victor Von Doom, introduced in the post-credits scene of The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025). Early chatter hints at a possible anti-hero angle that could position him at odds with the Avengers’ Multiversal strategy.
Originally set for May debuts, both new Avengers chapters were shifted to December release dates, placing them within Disney’s historically powerful holiday corridor. With Avatar: Fire and Ash (2025) launching in the same window this year, the studio seems prepared for several consecutive winter tentpoles.
The Endgame Reset
Recent discussion surrounding Avengers: Doomsday suggests that Doctor Doom’s entrance may land far more emotionally than expected. According to rumors, Downey’s Doom is driven by the loss of his wife and son, who are said to have died in a devastating accident that left him scarred.
Even more surprising is the alleged cause of the tragedy: fallout from Steve Rogers’ time-traveling actions in 2019’s Avengers: Endgame. If true, Doom’s role in Doomsday becomes less about conquest and more about confronting the consequences of a fractured timeline.
This angle reframes Doom as a figure shaped by grief and fury–a grounded approach Marvel has embraced with success in the past. It also fits the idea that the Russo Brothers, alongside writer Stephen McFeely, aim to raise the dramatic and visual stakes while juggling a massive lineup of returning characters.
Additional rumors point to multiple Doom variants and expanded Multiversal conflicts, hinting at a story where personal trauma collides with universe-spanning consequences. Though unconfirmed, the concept has sparked widespread speculation about how this version of Victor Von Doom could alter the MCU’s trajectory.
Speaking of Avengers: Endgame, Marvel Studios–amid the industry fallout from the Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery merger–announced the return of the record-breaking movie ahead of the Doomsday reset.
“Welcome back to the endgame,” Marvel.com shared. “Marvel Studios has announced that the record-breaking Avengers: Endgame is returning to theaters for an exclusive re-release beginning September 25, 2026.”
“Originally released on April 26, 2019, Avengers: Endgame shattered box office records, earning the biggest opening weekend of all time with a global haul of $1.2 billion,” Marvel continued. “Endgame stands as the second-highest grossing film of all time domestically with $858 million and the second-highest grossing film of all time globally with a $2.799 billion total.”
Doomsday Production Update
The Hollywood Reporter recently offered new insight into the production schedule.
“AGBO and the Russos are in post-production on Avengers: Doomsday, with additional photography expected to take place in the spring before cameras roll on Avengers: Secret Wars in the summer,” the outlet wrote.
This update supports earlier claims that Doomsday’s ending remains in flux, with reshoots planned shortly before Secret Wars begins filming–changes that could significantly influence how the fifth Avengers film lands its final moments.
With the Multiverse storyline escalating, speculation is mounting that some major heroes may not make it out of Doomsday. Names like Thor (Hemsworth), Captain Marvel (Brie Larson), and Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan) have all surfaced as possible casualties of the mounting conflict.
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