Avengers: Doomsday, also known as Avengers 5, is one of the most exciting upcoming Marvel movies that's on the way. It's been a long time since we saw Earth's Mightiest Heroes together on the big screen, and the good news is there's not long to wait for their return.
And, with Robert Downey Jr becoming the big bad of the franchise as Doctor Doom, this could be the biggest and most epic Avengers reunion yet.
It's been a bumpy road to get to this point, though. Originally, Avengers 5 was set to be centered around Marvel's new big villain, Kang the Conqueror. However, when Jonathan Majors was found guilty of reckless assault in the third degree and harassment in December 2023, Marvel dropped the actor and the character in order to set a new direction.
Cut to San Diego Comic-Con 2024, where Marvel revealed the return of Robert Downey Jr not as Iron Man, but as the legendary Doctor Doom. The film was then officially titled Avengers: Doomsday, and the rest is history in the making.
The film will be part of Marvel Phase 6, following the franchise-changing release of Fantastic Four this summer. So, what can we expect from the Avengers follow-up to the critically-acclaimed Avengers: Endgame?
Check out all the latest details about Avengers: Doomsday release date, plot, cast and more in this guide, which we will be updating as soon as more news drop.
After months of uncertainty and a few stumbles, Avengers: Doomsday is on its way to cinemas, and here's everything you need to know about it.
Avengers 5 release date
Currently, Avengers 5 has a release date of May 1, 2026.
A recent report has also said that it will begin shooting in March 2025 in the UK, just over a year ahead of its release date.
Originally, Kevin Feige confirmed that it would be released in 2025, with Secret Wars to follow in 2026 during Marvel's 2022 San Diego Comic-Con panel. Now, Secret Wars is due on May 7, 2027.
So, why such a long wait between Avengers: Endgame and Avengers 5? "When we were doing Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3, there were [fewer] projects over more years," Feige previously explained. "They were smaller projects and individual character stories, and it felt appropriate at that point, that after every two or three years that it took for a phase, we would do an Avengers film.
"As [Phases] 4, 5, and 6 were coming together, there are more projects in less years – because of all the amazing stuff we're now allowed to do on Disney Plus, and getting characters from Fox – Fantastic Four, and Deadpool – that it felt like, certainly after Infinity War and Endgame, that we thought Avengers movies aren't cappers."
Avengers 5 cast
Thanks to a surprise casting reveal during SDCC 2024, we know that Robert Downey Jr. is coming back to the MCU as Doctor Doom. This is obviously a big shock and has tons of timeline implications, as Downey Jr. famously played Iron Man until the character’s death in Avengers Endgame (aka one of the best Marvel movies of all time).
But continuity questions aside, for now, we also know a decent chunk of stars who will be popping up with the ex-Tony Stark. It was also revealed during the event that the casts of Fantastic Four (Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach) and the Thunderbolts* (Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, David Harbour, Wyatt Russell, and more) would be part of Avengers 5.
As reported on December 9, Chris Evans could be joining the cast of Avengers: Doomsday, although it's unclear in which capacity. Evans famously played Steve Rogers (aka Captain America) in the MCU, but it's not confirmed that he will be reprising that same role (although we really hope he does). But, Evans himself denied the rumor.
Benedict Cumberbatch is also said he wouldn't be in the movie, then later said he would be.
As for other cast members for Avengers: Doomsday, no one has been confirmed yet. However, it seems likely other familiar faces will crop up. Considering the multiverse storyline that needs to clear up Downey Jr’s change to Doctor Doom, Doctor Strange is not a bad shout.
The new Avengers could also include Shang-Chi, the new Black Panther, Ironheart, Daredevil, and (surprisingly) Deadpool, as each hero has a solo project in the Multiverse Saga. Then there's the young Avengers, who we saw begin to come together in The Marvels ending. Kate Bishop, Yelena Belova, Kamala Khan, Cassie Lang, Skaar, and Echo could all be part of that.
However, the final line-up will probably not be known until much closer to release—and we'll keep you updated when names are confirmed.
Avengers 5 director and writer
SDCC 2024 announced that the Russo brothers will be directing both Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. The two are something of marvel legends as they helmed Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, so it’s welcomed news to see their return.
"Joe and I truly believed Endgame was the end of the road for us," Anthony Russo said during the event. "In the time since, through a special story, we have come to potentially see a road to take with you all."
Initially, Shang-Chi mastermind Deston Daniel Crettin was down to direct the next Avengers movie. However, in November 2023, it was confirmed that he was stepping down to focus on other Marvel projects, including Wonder Man.
In November 2022, it was confirmed that Michael Waldron will be penning the script, taking over from Jeff Loveness. Waldron, known for his work on Loki and Doctor Strange 2, was already down to write Avengers: Secret Wars.
Avengers 5 plot
Plot details for Avengers: Doomsday are currently in flux. As we mentioned above, Robert Downey Jr’s casting as Doctor Doom means some multiverse antics need to be explained. So, we will likely see the TVA from Loki fame make an appearance at some point.
However, the film that sounds like it will give us the most clues about the Avengers 5 plot is The Fantastic Four. As many comic book fans know, Doctor Doom made his first appearance in The Fantastic Four comics back in the ‘60s. Since then, he has been their greatest foe, so it makes sense that he’ll be introduced as the MCU’s next greatest threat during the Marvel Phase 6 movie.
We also know that Avengers 5 will likely have to address the Kang plotline that Marvel has seemingly chosen to abandon for now. Throughout Marvel Phase 4 and Marvel Phase 5, Kang was set up as the next Thanos figure in the MCU. He made an appearance in Ant-Man: Quantumania and has been a steady presence in the Disney Plus series Loki. So yeah, Marvel Studios needs to clear up that massive character drop before they leave Kang in the Void for good.
We’ll keep you updated as more plot details come our way. For now, you can also check out our guide on how to watch all the Marvel movies in order.
And that's everything we know about Avengers 5. For much more action check out our guide to all the upcoming superhero movies and all the upcoming movies heading our way this year.
Avengers: Doomsday directors admit it's a "difficult" movie to make but tease some great Marvel collaborators "old and new"
The Russo Brothers say Robert Downey Jr. "tried to talk us into" doing another Avengers movie but they "said no" until they heard the pitch for Doomsday: "That story has to be told"
