Marvel Studios has officially delayed its next two major Avengers films: Doomsday and Secret Wars. Marvel Studios originally scheduled the release dates for May 2026 and May 2027. The dates have now been changed for Doomsday to December 18, 2026, and Secret Wars to December 17, 2027.
The delays for Doomsday and Secret Wars are attributed to the expansive scope and ambition of the films. The other factor is the significant creative shifts within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
Marvel Studios removed the character Kang the Conqueror, who was originally intended to be the central antagonist. This follows actor Jonathan Majors’ legal issues and subsequent dismissal from the studio for assaulting his partner.
In a major casting change, Robert Downey Jr. returns to the MCU. He will not portray Iron Man, but as the villain Doctor Doom. The films will be directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, known for their work on Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame.
Avengers: Doomsday will feature a massive ensemble cast. This includes characters from past Avengers and Marvel movies, the X-Men, and the Fantastic Four. Chris Evans is reportedly returning for Doomsday, too, but it’s unclear in what role. Filming for Doomsday began in April 2025 at Pinewood Studios in England and is expected to last approximately six months.
Conclusion and Clash of Releases
Doomsday and Secret Wars are set to conclude Phase Six of the MCU and the overarching Multiverse Saga, promising a culmination of storylines and characters introduced over the years.
The new release date now directly overlaps with the one Warner Bros. had set for Dune: Messiah, the third installment in Denis Villeneuve’s epic sci-fi saga starring Timothée Chalamet.
The scheduling conflict could spark a frenzy similar to the 2023 “Barbenheimer” phenomenon, when Greta Gerwig’s Barbie and Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer premiered on the same day. That unexpected pairing fueled massive buzz and significantly boosted box office returns for both films.
