I feel it’s protected to say that if there’s one film on everybody’s prime 10 must-see for 2026, it’s Avengers: Doomsday. If there was ever any doubt that Marvel had what it takes to nonetheless pique our curiosity, that was confirmed to be alive and effectively after they had us watching a set of chairs for 5 and a half hours. The names of 26 actors had been confirmed to look within the fifth installment of the franchise, with Robert Downey Jr. being the primary confirmed identify at San Diego Comedian Con final 12 months, making him quantity 27.
It’s speculated based mostly on quite a few hints that there are extra names to be introduced, however the greater query is what it should even be about? Whereas many had been excited to see Downey return, extra individuals had been confused. It’s understood he will likely be taking part in Physician Doom slightly than Iron Man, however that raises extra questions than it does solutions (think about the emotional pull a scene would have if Peter Parker had been to see Victor Von Doom, however imagine it’s Tony).
If you wish to be considerably within the loop on what we would see, it appears extremely probably the movie will pull from the 2015–2016 run of Secret Wars, written by Jonathan Hickman. The graphic novel is a set of points #1–#9, with the addition of #0, which was a launch for Comedian Ebook Day 2015. Whether or not you’ve learn it or are contemplating getting round to it, let’s piece collectively why this assortment is perhaps the place the Russo Brothers and Kevin Feige bought their inspiration.
One factor Marvel Studios has completed during the last decade by way of movies and TV collection is construct up the thought of the multiverse. Full transparency, that is actually the cheat code. I imply, give it some thought: They’ll actually rewrite something followers didn’t like and even deliver again somebody from the useless. From Loki to Spider-Man: No Means House, this has been an integral piece to the MCU’s success, because it permits them to deliver again characters in addition to introduce quite a lot of timelines and tales.
In Secret Wars, Physician Doom makes use of his energy to deliver collectively items of destroyed universes to construct Battleworld, the place he’s the ruler. This will likely be Marvel Studios’ grasp key in the event that they need to unlock the feels we skilled throughout their Infinity Battle and Endgame run (No Means House was the closest they got here to replicating that preliminary pleasure, however that was primarily simply us being excited to see Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield return). Secret Wars is the final word crossover occasion, and several other variations of characters exist in Battleworld, opening the door for some acquainted faces to return. On the finish of the day, this must make sense for it to resonate with followers, slightly than simply constructing a movie with a bunch of big-name actors.
If speculating and theories had been driving you loopy, then perhaps listening to it straight from the horse’s mouth may put you relaxed. The Russo Brothers lately gave an interview throughout a press run for his or her Netflix flick, Electrical State, and Joe advised TechRadar, “We all the time create our personal model of the story, so we use the comics as unfastened inspiration… I grew up on the unique run. That’s one thing that bought me into Marvel comedian books. The Hickman run can also be incredible… very completely different from one another in a whole lot of methods, so we’ll draw inspiration from each of them.” That’s a pleasant push in the best path in case you are like us and want stable proof versus rumors.
Now, whereas they do point out they are going to be pulling from the supply materials, we should understand that there isn’t only one movie on the best way. There are two. Avengers: Secret Wars is about to launch a 12 months after Doomsday on December 17, 2027. The comedian guide titles are actually within the identify of the movie, so it might be wild for them to stray too removed from what’s written.
As we talked about earlier, it’s potential some names haven’t been introduced, however there’s one character lacking that makes absolutely the most sense to incorporate: Scarlet Witch. There are few heroes extra highly effective than her, and with Physician Doom needing a whole lot of energy to create Battleworld, it checks out that Wanda Maximoff can be the one he would name on to make it occur. Will he faucet into Chaos Magic to change into dangerously highly effective, thus needing all of the king’s horses and all of the king’s males to get him underneath management? With a lineup up 26 characters (almost certainly extra), this looks as if a really believable route Secret Wars may take.
Solely time will inform, however we are going to know extra after we get our first glimpse of a teaser or full trailer. Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters December 18, 2025.