Convention - SDCC 2024 :  Russo Brothers Return to Direct Marvel's Next Epic with Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars

By Mulder, San Diego, Convention Center, Hall H, 27 july 2027

San Diego Comic-Con 2024 delivered an unforgettable experience for Marvel fans, with the highlight being the Marvel Studios panel in the legendary Hall H. On July 27, 2024, fans were treated to an array of thrilling announcements, but nothing compared to the earth-shattering revelation that closed out the event. The return of the Russo Brothers—Anthony Russo and Joe Russo—to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as directors of not one, but two monumental Avengers films was the crowning moment of the evening. These films, Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, promise to reshape the future of the MCU in ways that fans could only dream of.

As the panel was nearing its conclusion, Kevin Feige, the mastermind behind the Marvel Cinematic Universe and President of Marvel Studios, took to the stage once more, much to the delight of the audience. Kevin Feige is known for saving the biggest surprises for last, and this year was no exception. With a sense of palpable anticipation in the air, Kevin Feige revealed that the Russo Brothers would return to the MCU to helm two new Avengers films. The audience erupted in chants of Russo! Russo! as Anthony Russo and Joe Russo, the directors behind some of Marvel’s most successful films, including Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, made their way onto the stage.

The brothers, visibly moved by the overwhelming response, shared their excitement about returning to the MCU. Anthony Russo expressed how the opportunity to direct these films reignited their passion for the world of comics, stating, We thought we had closed our chapter with Endgame, but the chance to tell this story was something we couldn't pass up. Joe Russo added, This is the story that made us fall in love with comics again—it's grand, it's emotional, and it's going to be a wild ride.

The first of these films, Avengers: Doomsday, is slated for release on May 1, 2026. In a shocking twist, Robert Downey Jr., who famously portrayed Tony Stark/Iron Man, will return to the MCU in the role of Victor von Doom, also known as Doctor Doom. Downey Jr.'s appearance in Hall H was nothing short of electrifying. The actor emerged from backstage wearing Doom's iconic mask, drawing gasps and cheers from the crowd. New mask, same task… What can I tell ya, I like playing complicated characters! Downey Jr. quipped, instantly making this moment one of the most memorable in SDCC history. His portrayal of Doom promises to bring a complex, multifaceted villain to the MCU, offering a fresh challenge for the Avengers and a significant shift in the narrative dynamics of the franchise.

Kevin Feige elaborated on how Avengers: Doomsday will set the stage for the subsequent film, Avengers: Secret Wars, which is scheduled for release on May 7, 2027. He described Secret Wars as the biggest story Marvel Comics ever told, a statement that only heightened the anticipation. The Russo Brothers explained that while Doomsday would introduce an unprecedented level of stakes and complexity, Secret Wars would be the grand culmination of everything the MCU has been building toward. It’s not just another Avengers movie; it’s the ultimate showdown, Joe Russo hinted, leaving fans eager to see how this epic narrative would unfold.

The announcements also confirmed that Stephen McFeely, who co-wrote Avengers: Endgame with Christopher Markus, would return to pen the script for both films. McFeely's involvement reassures fans that the storytelling will maintain the same level of depth and emotional resonance that has become a hallmark of the MCU's most successful entries.

Adding to the excitement, Kevin Feige confirmed that the Fantastic Four would play a significant role in both films, with the main cast returning from The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which will be released in 2025. This inclusion of Marvel’s first family further expands the MCU’s universe and paves the way for even more complex interactions and storylines.

As the event drew to a close, the excitement in Hall H was palpable. The Russo Brothers, Robert Downey Jr., and Kevin Feige left the stage to a standing ovation, with fans buzzing about the future of the MCU. The announcements made at SDCC 2024 not only solidified Marvel Studios' position as the dominant force in the superhero genre but also showcased their ability to continuously surprise and engage their audience. With Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars on the horizon, the MCU is set to enter a new era of storytelling, one that promises to be more ambitious and expansive than ever before.

The 2024 Comic-Con will be remembered as a turning point in the MCU, a moment when the next phase of Marvel's grand saga was set into motion. Fans will undoubtedly be counting down the days until they can witness these epic stories unfold on the big screen

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Photos and video  : Boris Colletier / Mulderville