Report: Disney and Marvel May Scrap 'Avengers' Movie Plan, Replace With Trilogy

This year, the Marvel Cinematic Universe is preparing to turn the page with the long-awaited return of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, as the Avengers assemble once again for the fifth chapter of the blockbuster crossover series.

After more than a decade of dominance, Kevin Feige’s MCU has spent recent years navigating an uneven stretch. Box office results have varied widely, with record-setting highs like Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) contrasted by more muted receptions for titles such as Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023) and the more recent Captain America: Brave New World (2025).

Over the last five years, Marvel Studios has faced mounting questions about momentum, audience fatigue, and the franchise’s long-term direction.

That context makes the return of Joe and Anthony Russo especially notable. The filmmaking duo behind 2018’s Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame (2019) are back to direct the next two Avengers films, Avengers: Doomsday (2026) and Avengers: Secret Wars (2027).

Both the Russos and Feige have framed the two-part event as a turning point for the MCU, not simply a continuation, but a recalibration meant to usher the franchise into its next phase.

Doomsday is shaping up to be one of Marvel Studios’ most ambitious ensemble projects to date. The cast blends long-running MCU pillars like Chris Hemsworth’s Thor and Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson/Captain America with characters pulled from outside Marvel Studios’ original continuity.

Among the most talked-about additions are Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen, reprising their iconic roles as Professor X and Magneto from 20th Century Studios’ X-Men films. Their involvement underscores just how central the Multiverse will be to the story.

Perhaps the most surprising return, however, belongs to Robert Downey Jr. After anchoring the Infinity Saga as Tony Stark/Iron Man, Downey is stepping back into the MCU in an entirely different role. In Phase Six, he will portray Victor Von Doom–better known as Doctor Doom–one of Marvel Comics’ most infamous antagonists.

The character was first hinted at in the post-credits scene of The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025), and early chatter suggests this version of Doom may operate in morally gray territory, positioning him as a complex counterpoint to the Avengers rather than a straightforward villain. The current theory is that Doom is hunting down Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) after his time-travel antics in Endgame caused tragedy.

Marvel Studios has also adjusted its release strategy for the two films. Originally slated for May 2026 and May 2027, Doomsday and Secret Wars have both been shifted to December of their respective years.

The move places the Avengers squarely in the holiday release window, a period that has historically delivered strong returns for Disney. With Avatar: Fire and Ash arriving last December and already crossing $1 billion this month, the studio is poised for a trio of consecutive holiday tentpoles across three years.

But Disney could also extend its run of Avengers movies, as new reports have surfaced suggesting Marvel Studios could split Avengers: Secret Wars into two parts. A widely circulated rumor claims that Secret Wars is being considered as something larger–potentially split into two distinct entries–due to the sheer scale of the story Marvel might want to tell.

The Hot Mic has cited that Doomsday could run near three hours, and that studios are evaluating whether to turn Secret Wars into two parts as well, giving more room to explore the Multiverse and the upcoming transition into the next saga. This lineup could even extend the Multiverse Saga into a full trilogy of Avengers-level tentpoles rather than just a pair of films.

As with any major Avengers installment, stakes appear to be high–and potentially fatal. There is growing speculation that several long-standing heroes may not survive the events of Doomsday.

Not only that, but at least one iconic original Avengers star has confirmed they will not appear in Doomsday, leaving question marks surrounding the big names that have not yet been announced as part of the Doomsday cast.

With all this flux behind the scenes and talk of the Russos potentially remaining involved with Marvel beyond the current films as consultants or directors on future sagas, the MCU landscape appears set for dramatic shifts once the credits roll on Secret Wars’s conclusion–whether that is after one or two movies.

How do you feel about a potential Avengers trilogy? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!