Joss Whedon helmed The Avengers and Avengers: Age of Ultron pretty much back-to-back, but the Russo Brothers found themselves tasked with directing Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Secret Wars simultaneously.
With Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars set to be released just one year apart, fans have been wondering for some time why Marvel Studios hasn't turned to a single director to tell one big story over two parts. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings director Destin Daniel Cretton was only ever attached to the former, with no decision made for Secret Wars.
Well, after going back to the drawing board with the Multiverse Saga, it appears something has changed.
According to scooper Daniel Richtman, Spider-Man and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness director Sam Raimi is in the running to helm both movies. However, so too are Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead, the filmmaking duo behind Moon Knight, Loki season 2, and the upcoming Daredevil: Born Again.
There is no frontrunner right now but they are considered top contenders and it's interesting that the idea now is for a director to helm not one, but two Avengers movies. It makes sense given how interconnected these projects are likely to be, and should ensure a smoother production and a more cohesive vision for the Multiverse Saga's grand finale.
The scooper adds that Fantastic Four, Shang-Chi 2, Spider-Man 4, and Deadpool 3 will all lay the groundwork for the final Avengers movies. As for why the Merc with the Mouth's MCU debut is the only Marvel Studios movie releasing in 2024, the studio expects it to be a huge critical and commercial success.
Finally, it's said Thor 5, Eternals 2, Doctor Strange 3, and Black Panther 3 are all movies in various stages of development.
Rumours persist that The Kang Dynasty will ditch that title, with the focus potentially shifting to Doctor Doom instead of Kang the Conqueror. In 2015's Secret Wars, Doom stole the powers of The Beyonders and created his own "Battleworld" when the Marvel and Ultimate Universes were destroyed after colliding in an Incursion.
Using Molecule Man's powers (a character many fans believe Loki will be subbed in for), the villain ruled as "Emperor Doom" for years before his fake reality came crashing down around him and a new world was created in its place...which is how Marvel Studios is expected to reboot the MCU.
Avengers: The Kang Dynasty is currently scheduled to arrive in theaters on May 1, 2026, with Avengers: Secret Wars to follow on May 7, 2027.