The Russo Brothers are coming back to Marvel Studios. Joe and Anthony Russo, the directors responsible for Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, are now in talks to direct both Avengers 5 and Avengers: Secret Wars. After several years of focusing on other projects, the duo is poised to return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, The Russos are in early negotiations to direct the next two Avengers movies. It’s likely that Marvel Studios will look to make the announcement at San Diego Comic-Con next weekend. If they can get the deal done in time, that is. Marvel first announced The Kang Dynasty and Secret Wars at SDCC in 2022 as the planned two-part finale to The Multiverse Saga. Plans have since changed quite a bit, leading to this full-circle moment with the Russo Brothers.
For one, actor Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania star Jonathan Majors has since been dropped as Kang. Marvel made the decision following an assault and harassment conviction. It’s believed Avengers: The Kang Dynasty will be retitled, with the focus shifted. It remains to be seen what the Russos have in mind for that. But Secret Wars is still the big finale. One of the most beloved crossovers in comic book history, it’s something the Russo Brothers have long discussed adapting. As such, it’s not surprising that this is the thing that managed to get them back in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Here is the synopsis for the original Secret Wars comic.
“Drawn from Earth across the stars, the Marvel Universe’s greatest villains and heroes are set against one another by the mysterious and unbelievably powerful Beyonder, with the winner promised the ultimate prize. But as battle lines are drawn, new alliances forged and old enemies clash, one among them is not willing to settle for anything less than godhood. Can even the combined might of the Avengers, Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four and the X-Men prevent Dr. Doom from becoming the most powerful being in the universe?”
Marvel also published a Secret Wars event in 2015 that involved all of the various multiverses converging, resulting in one single universe remaining. It’s possible that the film could take inspiration from both series to craft a big finale. Through their work on Infinity War and Endgame, the Russos have proved that they can tackle something of this size. That, coupled with their work on Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Captain America: Civil War, makes them uniquely qualified for the challenge ahead.
Avengers 5 is set to hit theaters on May 1, 2026. Avengers: Secret Wars is currently set to follow on May 7, 2027.
What do you think? Are you excited to have the Russo Brothers back in the MCU? Or would you prefer a different director? Join in on the conversation over on Facebook or Twitter!
