AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY And SECRET WARS Directors Plan To "Outdo" ENDGAME; Tease Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom

AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY And SECRET WARS Directors Plan To "Outdo" ENDGAME; Tease Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom

Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars directors Joe and Anthony Russo have shared their plan to "outdo" their previous MCU movies and tease Robert Downey Jr.'s Marvel return as the villainous Doctor Doom.

By JoshWilding - Mar 05, 2025 11:03 AM EST
Filed Under: Avengers: Doomsday
Source: GamesRadar+

Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars will be helmed by the Russo Brothers, the filmmaking duo behind Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame

The Multiverse Saga has been a little hit-or-miss, especially with Marvel Studios expanding the MCU to streaming. However, if anyone can deliver two critical and commercial hits for Kevin Feige, it's got to be Joe and Anthony. 

Talking to GamesRadar+, Joe addressed their approach to Doomsday and Secret Wars. Unsurprisingly, they're setting out to top the stories they've already told in the MCU. "Absolutely, we want to beat those younger versions of ourselves," he said. "We have to be, right? Because we have to outdo those movies in a way, or we at least have to take you on an equally engaging journey."

Anthony added, "These movies are an incredible opportunity for us, and they're an incredible opportunity for audiences. So we're doing what we can to deliver the experience everyone, I think, hopes for."

If that recently leaked concept art is any indication, the directors will be pulling out all the stops to deliver the biggest, craziest Avengers movies to date. A big draw for regular moviegoers, whether fans like the idea or not, will surely be the return of Oscar-winner and former Iron Man, Robert Downey Jr. 

However, he's trading one metal suit for another as Downey will be playing the MCU's new big bad, Doctor Doom.

Talking to Jake's Takes, Joe explained, "Interestingly enough, Downey decided to go back before we decided to go back. I had dinner with Downey about a year before we agreed to do the movie where he was trying to convince us of why we should do [it]. We just didn't have a story to tell or a way in yet and then it hit us."

That changed when Stephen McFeely figured out the plot of both movies and Anthony reiterated his excitement to see what Downey brings to the table as the evil Doctor Doom. 

"Robert is one of the most talented performers on the planet," he said. "For him to be motivated to explore a new character like Victon Von Doom, it doesn't get more exciting."

In a separate interview with GamesRadar+, The Electric State star Chris Pratt - who we now know will return as the Legendary Star-Lord in the movies - opened up on the opportunities the Russos gave him in their new Netflix movie. 

"Between the two films I worked, I think, a total of 20 or 21 days, and so I was very much a supporting cast member in those films. So my experience working with them was limited, although I even remember back then how collaborative they were, bringing me in – the Russo brothers and both [Christopher] Markus and [Stephen] McFeely, who are also the writers of The Electric State – talking to me about my input on the character and the various types of dialogue I can imagine him saying back in the Avengers."

"So when it came to this movie, I knew there was a collaborative effort. It was just really an awesome opportunity to do that to a higher degree, given I have much more responsibilities in this film than I had in the Avengers movies, so it was absolutely incredible, and it was everything I really hoped it would be, and I'd be honored to work with them again."

Avengers: Doomsday is set to be released in May 2026, with Avengers: Secret Wars scheduled to arrive in May 2027. 

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bobevanz
bobevanz - 3/5/2025, 11:14 AM
I can't believe RDJ turned down Poseidon who's the villain for The Odyssey in exchange for this. Then again you can't turn down another +100m payday. Jackasses
McMurdo
McMurdo - 3/5/2025, 11:17 AM
@bobevanz - he got his Oscar now he needs 10 more homes.
bkmeijer1
bkmeijer1 - 3/5/2025, 11:25 AM
@bobevanz - I could also see it be similar to Strauss in Oppenheimer being a reason. Both characters are just spiteful and actively trying to stop the protagonist from reaching their goal.
MakeAmericaGrea
MakeAmericaGrea - 3/5/2025, 11:36 AM
@bobevanz -

You know what's cooler than Christopher Nolan money?

MCU money.
Usernametaken
Usernametaken - 3/5/2025, 11:15 AM
Phase 4 and 5 being shitty make that goal just impossible.
FrankenDad
FrankenDad - 3/5/2025, 1:28 PM
@Usernametaken - Or it makes it smooth as warm butter.
Wahhvacado
Wahhvacado - 3/5/2025, 11:17 AM
I honestly hope the New Avengers get stomped by Doom akin to the squad that got wiped at the beginning of Civil War
McMurdo
McMurdo - 3/5/2025, 11:17 AM
It all comes down to the screen writing. Everything else is pornography. The scripts need to be brilliant. It's concerning that Markus didn't desire to return and makes me wonder whether or not he felt the project could be special.
MotherGooseUPus
MotherGooseUPus - 3/5/2025, 12:42 PM
@McMurdo - thats my concern as well; not getting markus back but i heard it was due to personal reasons and not the movie itself... either way... i think the 4 of them together is best for the MCU... idk how well 3 of 4 will be
McMurdo
McMurdo - 3/5/2025, 1:08 PM
@MotherGooseUPus - where did you hear this about Markus?? First I've heard.
MotherGooseUPus
MotherGooseUPus - 3/5/2025, 3:00 PM
@McMurdo - i think someone on here said it or i might of googled it... either way... i really wish markus was writing these movies too
StSteven
StSteven - 3/5/2025, 5:33 PM
@MotherGooseUPus @McMurdo - Yeah, I have to agree with you guys there. It just feels like "A:DD" and "A:SW" have to be beyond amazing, so I wish that Marvel was bringing in ALL the folks that made "A:IW" and "A:EG" such huge successes.

That being said, I have also heard 2 reasons that Markus wasn't writing them: (1) That, yeah, he's dealing with some personal issues (sounds like Reeves when it comes to cracking the script for "The Batman Pt. 2"), and also (2) That he's basically "minding the store" at AGBO so that the other 3 can make these movies.

If I had to guess, I'd say that it's probably a combination of both. I mean, if you're going through personal issues, it's got to be hard as hell to sit down and focus on writing the scripts for TWO giant blockbuster movies, especially when you're writing about characters having to deal with tragedy, loss, hardship, etc. Add to that the pressure to write what could potentially be the highest grossing movies ever, and I can understand why he couldn't deal with that.

So if that's all the case, then, yeah, it makes sense for Markus to be taking a step back and just keeping the lights on at AGBO. Plus, you never know. Maybe if he gets his issues sorted out he'll be back in time for some additions/reshoots in "A:DD" and then give a more serious contribution to "A:SW". Keping in mind that these movies are going to take years to finish, even shooting back-to-back, anything can happen.
MotherGooseUPus
MotherGooseUPus - 3/5/2025, 7:29 PM
@StSteven - well said. I do hope he is ok personally, never Wana see anyone go through rough times. I also truly hope he can give Both scripts a look over at somepoint... having another set of eyes looking at it is never a bad thing.. especially when he was part of the writing duo for the best MCU movies to date
StSteven
StSteven - 3/5/2025, 8:36 PM
@MotherGooseUPus - Yeah, and they have time. I think that given the enormity of these 2 movies and what their potential impact would be for the MCU as a whole as it is and moving forward, Feige isn't going to rush these out and will want to make sure that they're as perfect as humanly possibly. So if it means that giving Markus some time to get his space together so he can take a pass at the scripts because some things are just not hitting the mark narratively, Feige's going to do it. They can always delay the movies or move them around however they want, and if Marvel/Disney is really back to quality over quantity then they'll do what they need to to get to the highest level of quality as can reasonably be expected.
MotherGooseUPus
MotherGooseUPus - 3/5/2025, 8:48 PM
@StSteven - well said... I do hope Marvel is back to quality over quantity. I know DD BA seems like a good start. Guess only time will tell
harryba11zack
harryba11zack - 3/5/2025, 11:19 AM
"Outdo" ENDGAME".......ok that shouldn't be hard, that one sucked. They should be aiming to outdo TWS, CW or Iw, they were the good ones.
MakeAmericaGrea
MakeAmericaGrea - 3/5/2025, 11:39 AM
@harryba11zack -

I like The Avengers (2012) more than Civil War.

But I guess you're talking about the Russos' movies.
harryba11zack
harryba11zack - 3/5/2025, 11:44 AM
@MakeAmericaGrea - yep. I still liked the first avengers film, good writing, the characters were almostly done right. thou the only issuse I had with that film was cinema photographer making the movie like like a TV show.
dragon316
dragon316 - 3/5/2025, 12:22 PM
@harryba11zack - end game was better than infinity war ?si=RUr_cYtMM6q2r1lz
Still no explanation how thanos knew where all stones was all but one , Bucky be called white wolf hulk was joke that movie had best audiance

Have not remember any movie had this kind of reaction in theater to anything
?si=VPxbRQlpCOVMVrMA
harryba11zack
harryba11zack - 3/5/2025, 12:38 PM
@dragon316 -

infinity war didn't have a dabbing soy hulk or a crying fat phuck thor that plays fortnite.
hulk wasn't a joke, muffalo was.

endgame spit on the faces of who thor and cap were as characters.

remember this guy
User Comment Image
yeah, now he goes and betrays everything he stood for just so he could get some Peggy Bussy.

a cheering theater does not = good movie.

harryba11zack
harryba11zack - 3/5/2025, 12:42 PM
@dragon316 - also, endgame reduced the bucky to a random background actor with a machine gun
McMurdo
McMurdo - 3/5/2025, 1:10 PM
@harryba11zack - nah man IW is where Hulk became a coward. IW is good but it was the beginning of the end for MCU Hulk.
McMurdo
McMurdo - 3/5/2025, 1:12 PM
@harryba11zack - agreed on Endgame. Thor and Hulk were garbage. Thanos became a caricature of his character from Infinity War.
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 3/5/2025, 11:30 AM
Regardless of what it means for Doom post SW and the perceived intent behind RDJ’s casting in the role , there is no denying that the man is one of the best actors on the planet so to see him portray his version of Victor Von Doom is intriguing just based on that imo.

Honestly , it didn’t click until recently for me how similar Doom is in the comics and this version could be to RDJ’s Lewis Strauss from Oppenheimer of both being these egotistical men who think the world revolves around them & carry grudges regardless of whether they are real or not.

If RDJ can channel that energy with a mix of theatricality & grandioseness then I think it should be gold!!.

User Comment Image

Money aside , I just don’t see Downey deciding to do this just to play Tony Stark again but with a different name…

It’s going to be very different I feel and I’m excited for it!!.
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 3/5/2025, 12:52 PM
@SATW42 - yes lol

I wanted to reiterate the same point so I just copy and pasted with some tweaks here & there.
Pictilli
Pictilli - 3/5/2025, 11:32 AM
Indifferent
MakeAmericaGrea
MakeAmericaGrea - 3/5/2025, 11:34 AM
It won't be hard to outdo Endgame.

Don't have a hero majorly give up on life and gain a hundred pounds.

Don't have all the women heroes be sexist and leave the men on the battlefield to gang up together.
Slotherin
Slotherin - 3/5/2025, 12:41 PM
@MakeAmericaGrea - that team up was forced but to label the heroines as sexist just seems like you're embracing a weird victim mentality
McMurdo
McMurdo - 3/5/2025, 1:13 PM
@Slotherin - kinda his MO.
marvel72
marvel72 - 3/5/2025, 11:42 AM
Outdo Endgame but Avengers:Infinity War was the better movie.
MotherGooseUPus
MotherGooseUPus - 3/5/2025, 12:45 PM
@marvel72 - agreed
marvel72
marvel72 - 3/5/2025, 12:46 PM
@MotherGooseUPus - It was awesome.
JayLemle
JayLemle - 3/5/2025, 12:59 PM
@marvel72 - YES! By far, the better movie.
MotherGooseUPus
MotherGooseUPus - 3/5/2025, 12:59 PM
@marvel72 - 1000%. Best MCU movie for me.

in fact, the Russos have made 4 of my top 5 favorite & best MCU movies and have made the best "movie", not just CBM, but movie of the entire slate (Cap TWS)
vectorsigma
vectorsigma - 3/5/2025, 11:43 AM
Lolz, theae directors are hacks.

Try outdoing Joss Whedon's Avengers first. Most of Phase 1 movies were ok. There wasnt that much hype before Avengers came out. Then boom, the rest is history. Hack Russo brothers gettinf hired in the MCU with no leg work anynore. Just ride the hype.

As I always say, they only ride the hype, they cant create it. So what are they riding now from Phase 4 and 5???
Slotherin
Slotherin - 3/5/2025, 12:42 PM
@vectorsigma - really gonna pretend Winter Soldier wasn't top tier?
JayLemle
JayLemle - 3/5/2025, 12:55 PM
@vectorsigma - technically, that's what all of the directors in the MCU are doing, right? Just piggybacking off the last movie to: 1) Push the characters forward, or intro new characters to be utilized later. 2) Set up pieces of the story for the event Avengers film(s).

The Russo's probably were offered the job after all that stuff about Whedon came out. That turned into Endgame being the highest grossing film of all time for a short period (before Avatar reclaimed #1). I do respect yours and everyone else's opinions regarding the Russo's. However, we can't ignore their work through four successful Marvel films.

I thought Avatar was pretty bad. So much that I didn't see #2 and won't see 3-5 either. LOTS of people think Avatar 1 sucked. The visuals were amazing, but the story is ass. Does that make Jim Cameron a "hack?" It doesn't, IMO.
McMurdo
McMurdo - 3/5/2025, 1:15 PM
@JayLemle - for the record Avatar 2 is better than the first. Much more consistent and entertaining. Nothing super special but if you like Cameron it's worth the watch.
JayLemle
JayLemle - 3/5/2025, 1:42 PM
@McMurdo - hows the pace? I fell asleep during number one. I paid for the fancy 3D and bigger seat when I saw it in the theater. That was probably my mistake, being too comfy hahaha.

Thanks for the heads-up my G.
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