The Russo Brothers on Why They’re Directing Marvel’s ‘Secret Wars’

The ‘Infinity War’ and ‘Endgame’ filmmakers reveal that they found a story that they wanted to tell.

(L to R) Joe Russo, Robert Downey Jr. and Anthony Russo present 'Avengers: Doomsday' at San Diego Comic-Con 2024. © 2024 20th Century Studios / © and ™ 2024 MARVEL.

Preview:

Joe and Anthony Russo are explaining their return to Marvel.
They, together with Marvel boss Kevin Feige found a story they wanted to tell.
‘Avengers: Doomsday’ and ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’ are scheduled for release in 2026 and 2027.

Marvel is looking to build on the renewed momentum it found thanks to ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ (and the positive reactions to its latest small screen outing, ‘Agatha All Along’) with three movies headed our way this year: ‘Captain America: Brave New World,’ ‘Thunderbolts*’ and ‘Fantastic Four: First Steps.’

But as usual, the company and its Disney bosses have plans for movies (and shows) way beyond those, and now we’re learning a little more background behind two of the biggest and most anticipated films –– ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ and ‘Avengers: Secret Wars.’

Avengers: Secret Wars

Not Yet RatedMay 7th, 2027

An upcoming film in Phase 6 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and the finale of The Multiverse Saga. Plot TBA. Read the Plot

Specifically, the return of filmmakers Joe and Anthony Russo, who handled some of the most successful movies in the MCU’s first few phases, including box office behemoths ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ and ‘Avengers: Endgame.’

They previously opted to focus on their own projects and building their production company in the wake of ‘Endgame’s giant success but have since been tempted back.

Speaking to Empire magazine, Anthony revealed that what lured them:

“We’re very close with Kevin and Lou [D’Esposito, Marvel Studios’ Co-President] and the entire Marvel team and we’ve had conversations through the years. We’ve talked about a lot of ideas. Really what happened was, we ended up stumbling upon a [‘Secret Wars’] idea that activated all of us, you couldn’t see it coming until it came, and once it came it was like, ‘Well, that’s a story we need to tell.’ ”

And that creative spark extended to regular collaborator Stephen McFeely, who is also back writing the new movies.

While other co-writer Christopher Markus is so far sticking with the Russos’ AGBO company to keep it running, McFeely was tempted back into the MCU machine.

Here’s what Joe told Empire:

“There were ideas that we were trying to wrap our heads around that preceded this one, and we just never found the story. I remember calling Steve and said, ‘Hey, crazy idea. What do you think if we all go back and do 'Secret Wars?’ He was like, ‘F*** no. Absolutely not.’ And then he hung up. And the next morning at 7.30 he called and were like, ‘Alright, I have an idea…’ ”

The two new movies will feature Doctor Doom, played by fellow returning big Marvel name Robert Downey Jr.

What is Marvel’s ‘Secret Wars?

Marvel Studios' 'Avengers: Secret Wars.'

‘Secret Wars’ would draw from (through the usual Marvel movie filter where changes will be made) a pair of 1980s comic book series focused on an all-powerful antagonist known as the Beyonder, who in the first installment pitted Marvel’s heroes and villains against each other on a planet known as Battleworld.

In a 2015 revival by Jonathan Hickman, the resulting conflict left the multiverse collapsed, the survivors living on a single planet ruled by classic villain Doctor Doom.

The Russos have previously talked about their enthusiasm for ‘Secret Wars’, and they’re bringing along scripter Stephen McFeely, who co-wrote most of their previous Marvel output.

Who else will be in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’?

Robert Downey Jr. to play Doctor Doom in 'Avengers: Doomsday'.

Alongside Downey and freshly-introduced ‘Fantastic Four’ cast, we can expect Chris Evans (whether as Steve Rogers or another character) and Hayley Atwell as Peggy Carter.

Anthony Mackie is very likely to show up as Cap, and Benedict Cumberbatch has been talked about to return as Doctor Strange. We’ll have to wait and see whether the likes of Tom Holland’s Peter Parker/Spider-Man or any of the other stalwarts will be back.

There’s good money on Chris Hemsworth as Thor (since he’s still active) and hopefully the likes of Simu Liu’s Shang-Chi and Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes will report for duty.

What else is happening in the Marvel world?

Paul Bettany as The Vision in Marvel Studios' 'Wandavision' exclusively on Disney+. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. ©Marvel Studios 2021. All Rights Reserved.

In addition to the big ‘Avengers’ update, there was also word on someone else returning for a different project.

According to Deadline, Faran Tahir, who played the role of the villainous Raza, the apparent leader of the terrorist organization the Ten Rings who tried to kill Tony Stark in ‘Iron Man,’ has been added to the cast of the series built around Paul Bettany’s ‘Vision.’

He’ll be playing Raza, but we don’t know how or whether the Ten Rings will factor in, especially since the organization was further explored in ‘Shang-Chi.’

The ‘Vision’ series (whether it ends up titled ‘Vision Quest’ or not) will focus on the titular android as he tries to regain his memory and humanity. After Thanos killed him in 2018’s ‘Avengers: Infinity War,’ Vision returned in 2021’s ‘WandaVision.’

‘Star Trek: Picard’ Season three showrunner Terry Matalas is in charge of the show, and it’ll feature Todd Stashwick (who appeared in ‘Picard’) in an unknown role alongside James Spader, who will reprise the Ultron role from 2015’s ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron.’