Zack Snyder Comments on The Russo Brothers Returning To Marvel For The Next Two Avengers Movies

This week at San Diego Comic-Con, Marvel Studios made a big impact by announcing that Robert Downey Jr. will play Doctor Doom in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars films. But it was also reported that this pair of future Marvel films will be directed by MCU veterans Joe and Anthony Russo. Similar to Downey, they left the MCU with the release of Avengers: Endgame in 2019, but they have since returned to take over the directing duties. Zack Snyder, a filmmaker with his own expertise in superhero media, shared his thoughts with CinemaBend regarding the Russos’ handling of the next two Avengers films.

Naturally, Snyder directed Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and the first Justice League; the four-hour version of the latter will be available to Max subscribers in 2021. Snyder was a major figure in the creation of the DC Extended Universe. When our own Sean O’Connell questioned Snyder about his thoughts on the Russos coming back for Doomsday and Secret Wars, during their conversation about the director’s versions of the Rebel Moon films that will be available to Netflix subscribers on August 2, he replied as follows:

I believe that is excellent for them. They’re fantastic, and they’ve accomplished a lot. They’ve done an amazing job with those boys, in my opinion. They’ll accomplish something incredible, I’m sure. These individuals have potential, and I believe they’ll do something amazing. It’s probably time for a little adjustment.

“Shake it up” is an intriguing way to approach this, given that Joe and Anthony Russo’s work on Avengers: Infinity War, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War, and Avengers: Endgame has already made some of the biggest impressions on the MCU. More familiarity is actually being brought about, which isn’t always a negative thing. On the other hand, it’s easy to imagine the Russos being revitalized and eager to lead the MCU to its next status quo-changing pair of films after previously believing they were done with this franchise. After all, they directed Cherry, The Gray Man, and The Electric State following Endgame. Regardless, Zack Snyder likes their work and is looking forward to seeing what they plan to deliver the capstones of The Multiverse Saga.

Prior to San Diego Comic-Con, it was originally planned for Destin Daniel Cretton to direct the fifth Avengers film, which was once known as Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. However, no director was ever declared to be helming Avengers: Secret Wars. But in November 2023, he left the project, and the next month, Marvel dismissed Jonathan Majors, who had played Kang the Conqueror. Now that Doctor Doom, played by Robert Downey Jr., is taking the lead antagonist role in these two films, Doomsday and Secret Wars will also feature the Fantastic Four, who will make their MCU debut in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, in addition to an unspecified number of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes reuniting.

We’ll see how Joe and Anthony Russo do with Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars when the former is released on May 1, 2026, and the latter follows on May 7, 2027. As for Zack Snyder, although it hasn’t been announced what movie he’ll direct next, he has been attached for several years to Planet of the Dead, the sequel to his 2021 flick Army of the Dead.

Whoa, Robert Downey Jr. Is Returning to The MCU For the Next Two Avengers Movies, But It Won’t Be As Iron Man

Something major is sure to happen when Marvel Studios takes over Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con. And it did, wow! Alongside the Russo Brothers, Robert Downey Jr. said on stage that he would be joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe once more. However, since this is the Multiverse Saga, he won’t be returning as Tony Stark.

In the two upcoming Marvel flicks, Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, Robert Downey Jr. (RDJ) will reprise his role as none other than Doctor Doom. Watch the moment Downey stepped onto the stage:

Notably, the Russos, who were earlier this month believed to be returning for the Avengers films, were behind Captain America: Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War, and Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame. Joe Russo cried out to the assembly, “We miss you guys.”

Joining the filmmakers on the Hall H stage was a bunch of folks decked up as Doctor Doom. Subtly, they unveiled Robert Downey Jr. as the main character. The actor approached the front covertly with the other actors dressed like Doom masks. With a cheer, RDJ removed his hood and sent the panel into flames. That is definitely a Hall H moment.

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Enjoying his round of applause, the Iron Man actor quips, “New mask. Same task” and adds that he enjoys “playing complicated characters.” The Fantastic Four—Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm, Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing, and Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards—will be set up in their own film next summer, with Doctor Doom serving as a major antagonist to them.

Formerly known as Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, Doomsday is a new primary enemy that Marvel has adopted in response to Jonathan Majors’ legal troubles.

The logo for Downey Jr.’s upcoming MCU film is as follows:

Although Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom was first reported as a crazy rumors last week, it is now confirmed to have more validity than we initially thought. Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige addressed the RDJ story a few days ago, saying, “It can be done—if great care is taken,” when promoting Deadpool and Wolverine.

Fans now have a new main enemy to anticipate from the Marvel surprise, and our prediction is that Fantastic Four will tease the villain reveal for the first time on the big screen the following year. Upon further reflection, it may have been quite ironic for Downey’s Iron Man to preserve the universe in the first story before destroying it in the Multiverse Saga. Welcome back, RDJ!

The Russo Brothers Might Be Back for More Avengers Movies, And as A Fan I’m So Relieved

Both Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame were enormous hits; for a while, the latter became the highest-grossing movie ever. Since then, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has expanded steadily (in cinemas and on streaming services for Disney+ subscribers), although opinions regarding its caliber have been divided. I’m relieved as a fan that it was just disclosed that The Russo Brothers may return for two more Avengers films.

Like many others, I binge-watched the Marvel films for years on end, never missing a program or film production. However, a lot of fans are upset that the shared world, unlike the Infinity Stones and Thanos, does not have a grand narrative that it is developing. However, according to THR, Joe and Anthony Russo may return for two next Marvel films, taking on the massive task of producing an Avengers production once more. And I believe that the shared world may benefit greatly from their professional supervision in order to regain its previous splendour and continue to flourish.

It’s crucial to remember that the Russo Brothers are still just in the early stages of discussions about producing two more Avengers films. But their contributions to the MCU are largely considered some of the best Marvel movies, including their debut Captain America: The Winter Soldier. And I personally couldn’t be happier about the idea of them taking back the Avengers reigns after some time away.

However, their entries into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, such as their first Captain America: The Winter Soldier, are widely regarded as some of the best Marvel films. Furthermore, I for one am ecstatic about the prospect of them reclaiming the Avengers title after a hiatus.

The role was offered to Shawn Levy, whose film Deadpool & Wolverine is anticipated to gross a huge amount of money at the box office, according to the THR article. Though The Russos’ contribution to the shared universe speaks for itself, he seems like an excellent pick.

Given the shaky state of the Avengers franchise, it is even more exciting to bring back strong, seasoned MCU veterans like the Russo Brothers. Avengers: The Kang Dynasty was supposed to be the title of the fifth film, but after Jonathan Majors was fired by the studio, there have been rumors that the title and potentially the plot had been discarded. The Russos would undoubtedly be a useful resource if a completely new course is being considered.

The thought of The Russo Brothers returning for not one, but two separate Avengers films excite me much, though I don’t want to get ahead of myself. Fans like me will ultimately have to wait until there’s some official news from the studio, but bringing on the acclaimed filmmakers seems like a no-brainer, and also a possible way to bring back returning actors like Chris Pratt.

The next MCU movie hitting theaters is Deadpool & Wolverine, which will arrive July 26th. For now, check the 2025 movie release dates.