MARVEL MARATHON DEEP DIVE
AVENGERS
SECRET WARS
Avengers: Secret Wars is scheduled to reach US cinemas on 17 December 2027, with Anthony and Joe Russo directing. It follows Avengers: Doomsday and is set to close Phase Six and the Multiverse Saga.
A SAGA FINALE
HOW SECRET WARS WAS ANNOUNCED
Marvel Studios announced Avengers: Secret Wars at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2022, alongside the film that became Avengers: Doomsday, and Michael Waldron was hired to write it. The Russo brothers were announced as directors in July 2024, with Stephen McFeely as co-writer and Robert Downey Jr. cast as Doctor Doom. Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers also worked on the script.
The title comes from two comics in which Marvel characters converge on the planet Battleworld: the 1984 to 1985 Secret Wars written by Jim Shooter, and the 2015 to 2016 series written by Jonathan Hickman.
“Secret Wars, as in the comics, is as much about bringing certain storylines to a close as it is about launching a new one, and that’s what’s very exciting.”
Kevin Feige, July 2025
THREE MOVES
HOW THE RELEASE DATE CHANGED
The film was first set for 2025, was pushed back in October 2022, moved to 7 May 2027 in June 2023, partly because of the writers’ strike, and moved again in May 2025 to 17 December 2027 to allow more time for production. Filming is expected to begin in late 2026 at Pinewood Studios in England and to last about six months.
WHO IS EXPECTED
WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT THE CAST
Many actors from earlier Marvel projects return for Doomsday and Secret Wars, including Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom and Chris Evans as Steve Rogers in both films. Ryan Gosling is reported to play Ghost Rider in Secret Wars before his own film in 2028.
WHAT COMES AFTER
A RESET FOR THE MCU
Feige said in 2026 that Secret Wars would “establish a streamlined, simplified, single universe that audiences can keep up with,” and the X-Men film that follows in 2028 will feature a recast team after that reset.
In the Marvel Marathon it sits between Avengers: Doomsday and the Untitled X-Men Film in the MCU release order, MCU movies in order and Marvel movies in release order guides.
QUICK ANSWERS
AVENGERS: SECRET WARS WATCH QUESTIONS
When is Avengers: Secret Wars released?
It is scheduled for 17 December 2027 in the US.
Do I need to watch Avengers: Doomsday first?
Yes. The two films were produced together, in a similar way to Infinity War and Endgame, and Downey plays Doctor Doom in both.
Has filming started?
Not yet. The film is in pre-production, and filming is expected to begin in late 2026 at Pinewood Studios.
Which Marvel Marathon guides include Avengers: Secret Wars?
It appears in the MCU release order, MCU movies in order and Marvel movies in release order guides.
EDITORIAL NOTES
SOURCES AND UPDATES
Development, release-date, filming and cast details are checked against the reference entries below. The page will be revised as production continues.