Filmmakers Anthony Russo and Joe Russo, known together as the Russo Brothers, helped shape the Marvel Cinematic Universe into the behemoth franchise it is today by helming Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) and Captain America: Civil War (2016), along with Avengers: Infinity War (2018), and Avengers: Endgame (2019). They are all set to make their return to the MCU as producer-director of the upcoming superhero tentpole Avengers: Doomsday, which they believe will be on “an equal footing with Infinity War and Endgame.”
The Russo Brothers tease a ‘really explosive’ idea for Avengers: Doomsday
The Russo Brothers are returning to the MCU along with Robert Downey Jr., who previously portrayed Tony Stark / Iron Man in the franchise and will essay the role of Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday and other upcoming projects. In a new interview at MCM Comic Con 2024, the Russo Brothers explained that they came back because they found the idea behind Doomsday to be “really explosive.”
Joe Russo told GamesRadar+, “Why would we come back if we didn’t feel like we had a story that had that possibility of being on an equal footing with Infinity War and Endgame unless there’s a kernel there for an idea that’s really explosive?”
As with other Marvel projects, the script of Avengers: Doomsday is being kept strictly under wraps. Stephen McFeely, who previously co-wrote all of the Russo Brother’s MCU projects, has penned the script for Doomsday, which releases in U.S. theaters in May 2026.
In the same interview, the Russo Brothers reflected on their relationship with Downey Jr. “We’re all very close,” Joe Russo stated. “We had been working on another project before Marvel approached all of us – so we’re working on another project with Robert – and there was a story that evolved through conversations that we got very excited about. Because it’s always got to be the story,” he added.
Downey Jr. and the Russo Brothers’ return to the MCU was originally announced in July 2024 at SDCC. The siblings will also direct Avengers: Secret Wars from a script by McFeely. Downey Jr. will reprise his role as Doctor Doom in the sequel, which is currently scheduled for May 2027.
