Joe and Anthony Russo are reportedly in early discussions to return to Marvel Studios to direct two upcoming Avengers movies, according to sources from The Hollywood Reporter. This development concludes a lengthy and competitive search for filmmakers to helm the fifth and sixth installments of the Avengers franchise. Shawn Levy, the director of Deadpool & Wolverine, was among those considered for the roles.
Transition to Blockbuster Filmmaking
The Russo brothers transitioned from television comedies like Arrested Development and Community to blockbuster filmmaking with Captain America: The Winter Soldier in 2014. They have since directed four of Marvel’s most successful films, including Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame. These films collectively grossed over $6.6 billion, with Endgame becoming the second highest-grossing film of all time at $2.79 billion.
Since their time with Marvel, the Russo brothers have become prominent producers through their company AGBO. They have worked on critically acclaimed projects like Everything Everywhere All at Once and high-budget titles such as Amazon’s Citadel and Netflix’s Extraction. They also directed the upcoming sci-fi film The Electric State for Netflix.
Changes in Avengers 5 and 6
The fifth Avengers movie, initially titled Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, featured Jonathan Majors as the time-traveling villain Kang. However, following Majors’ conviction for assault and harassment, Marvel has severed ties with the actor. Destin Daniel Cretton, who was previously attached to direct Kang Dynasty, left the project shortly before Majors’ conviction. The film is expected to undergo a title change and a shift in focus.
The sixth Avengers film, Secret Wars, is a storyline the Russos have expressed interest in adapting for some time. This storyline, originating from the 1980s comic book series, features a powerful antagonist known as the Beyonder, who forces Marvel’s heroes and villains to battle on a planet called Battleworld. A 2015 revival of the series served as the climax to Jonathan Hickman’s multiverse saga, which has already been referenced in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Avengers 5 is scheduled for release on May 1, 2026, while Secret Wars is set to premiere on May 7, 2027.
