Draft:Avengers: Secret Wars
![]() | ![]() Find sources: Google (books · news · scholar · free images · WP refs) · FENS · JSTOR · TWL Last edited by Trailblazer101 (talk | contribs) 21 minutes ago. (Update) |
![]() | An editor has marked this as a promising draft and requests that, should it go unedited for six months, G13 deletion be postponed, either by making a dummy/minor edit to the page, or by improving and submitting it for review. Last edited by Trailblazer101 (talk | contribs) 21 minutes ago. (Update) | ![]() |
![]() | Please note: This draft should not be submitted for review or moved to the mainspace until filming has begun, per WP:NFF. |
Avengers: Secret Wars | |
---|---|
Directed by | |
Written by | |
Based on | |
Produced by |
|
Starring | |
Music by | Alan Silvestri |
Production companies | |
Distributed by | Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures |
Release date |
|
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Avengers: Secret Wars is an upcoming American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics superhero team the Avengers. Produced by Marvel Studios and AGBO, and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, it is intended to be the sequel to Avengers: Doomsday (2026), the sixth film in the Avengers film series, and the 43rd film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo and written by Michael Waldron and Stephen McFeely, the film features an ensemble cast including Robert Downey Jr., Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach.
Two new Avengers films, The Kang Dynasty and Secret Wars, were announced in July 2022 as the conclusion of the MCU's Phase Six and "The Multiverse Saga". Waldron joined the film as writer that October. The Russo brothers were announced as directors and McFeely as writer in July 2024, when The Kang Dynasty was retitled Doomsday and the casting of Downey as Doctor Doom was revealed.
Avengers: Secret Wars is scheduled to be released on May 7, 2027, as the final film of Phase Six of the MCU.
Cast
[edit]- Robert Downey Jr. as Victor von Doom / Doctor Doom[1]
- Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards / Mister Fantastic: The leader of the Fantastic Four[2]
- Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm / Invisible Woman: Johnny's sister and a member of the Fantastic Four[2]
- Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm / Human Torch: Sue's brother and a member of the Fantastic Four[2]
- Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm / The Thing: A member of the Fantastic Four and former astronaut who is encased in a layer of orange rock[2]
Production
[edit]Development
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1a/Kevin_Feige_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg/170px-Kevin_Feige_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg)
Discussing the acquisition of 21st Century Fox by Disney, which saw the return of the film rights of Deadpool, the X-Men, and the Fantastic Four to Marvel Studios,[3] Joe Russo—co-director of Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and Avengers: Endgame (2019) with his brother Anthony—said in April 2018 that it would be interesting to introduce those characters to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) using a Secret Wars film that brings together different characters and realities. Secret Wars is the name of a 1984–85 comic book crossover event written by Jim Shooter and a 2015–16 comic book storyline written by Jonathan Hickman that both follow various Marvel characters who converge on the planet Battleworld.[4] In April 2019, Infinity War and Endgame writers Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely said they would return to write a Secret Wars film if the Russo brothers were directing it.[5] Joe Russo discussed the idea again in July 2020, saying "to execute something on the scale of Infinity War was directly related to the dream of Secret Wars, which is even larger in scale".[6] In August 2021, Shooter said executives from Marvel had attempted to secure the rights to his Secret Wars storyline and he assumed they were planning a film adaptation, though Marvel would not confirm that.[7] The film Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022), part of the MCU's Phase Four that followed Endgame, introduces the idea of "incursions" where one universe destroys another within the multiverse. This was a key idea in the 2015 Secret Wars comic. The film's writer, Michael Waldron, compared this to introducing Thanos to the MCU long before he became the main villain of "The Infinity Saga" (which grouped the first three MCU phases).[8]
In July 2022, the Russo brothers reiterated that they were fans of the Secret Wars comic books, but said there were no plans for them to direct a film version. The pair added that they would have to consider the implications of such a project because it would be a "massive undertaking" and making Infinity War and Endgame had already been very difficult.[9][10] At San Diego Comic-Con later that month, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige announced the films Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars, to be released on May 2, 2025, and November 7, 2025, respectively. The films were set to conclude Phase Six of the MCU and complete "The Multiverse Saga", which covers Phases Four, Five, and Six.[11] Feige compared the films to Infinity War and Endgame, which concluded "The Infinity Saga". He said a lot of the Phase Four projects had been building to the larger story of "The Multiverse Saga", and this would continue throughout Phases Five and Six.[12] He added that the Russo brothers would not be directing Secret Wars, but Marvel Studios was looking for another project to work on with the pair.[13] Unlike Infinity War and Endgame, The Kang Dynasty and Secret Wars were expected to have different directors; Destin Daniel Cretton was set to direct The Kang Dynasty soon after the announcement.[14] Marvel Studios met with potential writers for Secret Wars in September 2022. Waldron was considered the frontrunner due to the studio trusting him after he wrote Multiverse of Madness and created the Disney+ television series Loki. He was hired to write the film in early October.[15] Shortly after, the release date was pushed back to May 1, 2026.[16] Jonathan Majors was revealed to be reprising his MCU role of Kang the Conqueror in January 2023.[17]
Following Majors's arrest in March 2023 and subsequent assault allegations, Marvel Studios had not yet discussed removing the actor from the MCU by the following month,[18] and he was still attached to star in The Kang Dynasty and Secret Wars. Disney was reportedly monitoring the situation.[19] In June, the film's release was pushed back to May 7, 2027,[20] in part due to the script not being ready before the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike.[21] In October, Joanna Robinson, co-author of the book MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios which was released that month, said the book included a quote from Feige that implied Secret Wars was being developed to serve as a soft reboot of the MCU, allowing Marvel Studios to keep what was working, remove what was not, and bring back characters that audiences thought were "gone forever".[22] The next month, Tatiana Siegel at Variety reported that Marvel Studios executives had discussed potentially bringing back the original Avengers cast, including Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark / Iron Man and Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow after those characters died in Endgame.[23] Feige denied that they had discussed the idea.[24] Siegel also reported that Marvel Studios executives had started discussing alternative plans for the Multiverse Saga due to Majors's legal issues, including pivoting to focus on another comic book antagonist such as Doctor Doom;[23] that character was already expected to be a major antagonist, if not the primary antagonist, in Secret Wars.[25] In mid-November, directing duo Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead expressed interest in directing Secret Wars after they directed episodes of the Marvel Studios series Moon Knight (2022) and the second season of Loki (2023).[26] Shortly after, Cretton stepped down as director of The Kang Dynasty,[27] and it was reported that Marvel now wanted a writer and a director who could develop both The Kang Dynasty and Secret Wars as a two-part finale to the Multiverse Saga. Journalist Jeff Sneider suggested that Marvel retitle the films Secret Wars part one and two, believing this to be a convenient way to generate excitement for the films while avoiding further questions about Majors's involvement.[28]
By mid-November 2023, Markus and McFeely had reportedly been acting as "unofficial advisors" at Marvel Studios for several months.[29] Waldron was hired to re-write The Kang Dynasty, alongside his work on Secret Wars, at the end of the month.[30] In December, Majors was fired by Disney and Marvel Studios after he was found guilty of harassment and reckless assault in the third degree. It was unknown if Marvel would recast the Kang character or refocus their plans on a new villain, but the studio had started referring to The Kang Dynasty internally as Avengers 5 by then.[31][32] Sneider soon reported that, like his earlier suggestion, Marvel Studios was now developing Secret Wars as a "giant five-hour movie" split into two parts, with a year between their releases,[33] and that the studio was searching for a director for the films.[34] In February 2024, Aaron Couch and Borys Kit of The Hollywood Reporter said Marvel was "cleaning up the creative mess" caused by Majors's legal issues and firing, as well as the disappointing box-office performance of the Kang-focused Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023), with both Avengers 5 and Secret Wars being re-written to minimize the role of Kang or remove the character entirely.[35] By mid-July, the Russo brothers were in early talks to direct both Avengers 5 and Secret Wars.[36] Matthew Belloni of Puck reported that talent agency Creative Artists Agency had suggested Greg Berlanti and Noah Hawley to Marvel Studios as potential directors for both films, but they were turned down by Feige.[37] Waldron was reported to only be writing Avengers 5, with no screenwriter attached to Secret Wars at that time.[38] Feige cautioned that not all of the characters introduced in the Multiverse Saga would be able to appear in Avengers 5 and Secret Wars.[39]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f1/Joe_Russo_%26_Anthony_Russo_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg/220px-Joe_Russo_%26_Anthony_Russo_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg)
At San Diego Comic-Con at the end of July 2024, the Russo brothers were confirmed to be directing the next two Avengers films and said the story for Secret Wars had convinced them to return after being "creatively spent" by their previous MCU films.[40] The directors revealed that Avengers 5 was now titled Avengers: Doomsday and would feature Doctor Doom, who they felt was required to do justice to the Secret Wars story. Downey was revealed to have been cast in the role for both films.[1] The Russo brothers were producing Doomsday and Secret Wars through their production company AGBO, McFeely had taken over as writer for both films from Waldron,[40][41] and filming was set to take place in London.[42] The Russo brothers and Downey were reported to be earning $40 million and $50 million, respectively, for each film. They were also expected to receive bonuses based on the films' box office performances, with potential for Downey's salary to double.[43][42] Downey also negotiated private jet travel, dedicated personal security, and multiple trailers on the film sets in his deal.[42] Also at Comic-Con, cast members from the films Thunderbolts* (2025) and The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025) were said to be reprising their roles in the next two Avengers films,[44] including the main Fantastic Four actors: Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards / Mister Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm / Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm / Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm / The Thing.[2]
Music
[edit]In April 2024, Alan Silvestri indicated that he could be composing the music for an upcoming MCU project after previously doing so for Infinity War, Endgame, and other MCU films.[45] That July, he was confirmed to be returning as the composer for both Doomsday and Secret Wars.[46]
Release
[edit]Avengers: Secret Wars is scheduled to be released in the United States on May 7, 2027.[1] It was previously scheduled for November 7, 2025,[11] and May 1, 2026.[16] It will be the conclusion of Phase Six of the MCU.[11]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Vary, Adam B.; Woerner, Meredith (July 28, 2024). "Marvel Announces 'Avengers: Doomsday' and 'Avengers: Secret Wars' Directed by the Russo Brothers". Variety. Archived from the original on July 29, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Grobar, Matt; D'Alessandro, Anthony (July 28, 2024). "'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' Unveiled As Official Title Of Marvel Pic; Core Four Will Appear In Next Two 'Avengers' Movies – Comic-Con". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 28, 2024. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
- ^ "The Walt Disney Company To Acquire Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc., After Spinoff of Certain Businesses, For $52.4 Billion in Stock" (Press release). The Walt Disney Company. December 14, 2017. Archived from the original on December 14, 2017. Retrieved December 14, 2017.
- ^ Bacon, Thomas (April 10, 2018). "Avengers: Infinity War Directors Want a Secret Wars Movie". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on April 11, 2018. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
- ^ Fiduccia, Christopher (April 9, 2019). "Avengers: Endgame Writers Want to Write Secret Wars For Russo Brothers". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on April 10, 2019. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
- ^ Italiano, Eric (July 15, 2020). "The Russo Brothers On 'Star Wars' Inspiring 'Infinity War', Making The Perfect Movie, The Avengers Story That Could Bring Them Back, And Pizza". BroBible. Archived from the original on July 15, 2020. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
- ^ Adams, Tim (August 17, 2021). "Jim Shooter Says Marvel Is Developing a Live-Action Secret Wars". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on August 17, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
- ^ Lussier, Germain (May 10, 2022). "Doctor Strange 2's Writer Breaks Down the Movie's Biggest Spoilers". Gizmodo. Archived from the original on May 10, 2022. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
- ^ Tapp, Tom; D'Alessandro, Anthony (July 14, 2022). "Russo Brothers Call Potential 'Secret Wars' Movies For Marvel "A Massive Undertaking"". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 14, 2022. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
- ^ Dumaraog, Ana (July 19, 2022). "Endgame Directors Give "Truthful" Answer To Avengers 5 Speculation". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on July 20, 2022. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
- ^ a b c Vary, Adam B. (July 23, 2022). "Marvel Studios' Phases 5 and 6: Everything We Learned at Comic-Con About the Multiverse Saga". Variety. Archived from the original on July 24, 2022. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
- ^ Lovett, Jamie (July 24, 2022). "Comic-Con 2022: Marvel's Kevin Feige Reveals Biggest Lessons Learned from Phase Four (Exclusive)". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on July 24, 2022. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
- ^ Cordero, Rosy; D'Alessandro, Anthony (July 23, 2022). "Marvel Boss Kevin Feige Says Russos 'Not Connected' To New Phase 6 'Avengers' Movies, But "We Want To Find Something To Do Together"". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 28, 2022. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
- ^ Vary, Adam B. (July 26, 2022). "'Avengers: The Kang Dynasty' Lands 'Shang-Chi' Director Destin Daniel Cretton". Variety. Archived from the original on July 26, 2022. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (October 3, 2022). "'Avengers: Secret Wars': Michael Waldron Tapped To Pen Upcoming Installment For Marvel Studios". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 3, 2022.
- ^ a b Couch, Aaron (October 11, 2022). "Marvel Shifts Dates for 'Avengers: Secret Wars,' 'Deadpool 3', 'Fantastic Four' and 'Blade'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on October 11, 2022. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (January 21, 2023). "How Jonathan Majors Prepared For The Role Of Kang The Conqueror In The MCU – Sundance Studio". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 22, 2023. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony; Patten, Dominic (April 17, 2023). "Jonathan Majors & Manager Entertainment 360 Part Ways; Actor Facing Domestic Violence Allegations In NYC". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 18, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
- ^ Siegel, Tatiana (April 19, 2023). "Jonathan Majors' Issues Worsen as More Alleged Abuse Victims Cooperate With D.A.'s Office (Exclusive)". Variety. Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
- ^ McClintock, Pamela; Couch, Aaron (June 13, 2023). "'Avatar 3' Pushed a Year to 2025, Two 'Star Wars' Movies Head for 2026 and 'Avengers' Films Delayed". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on June 13, 2023. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (June 13, 2023). "'Thunderbolts', 'Blade', 'Avengers: Kang Dynasty', 'Secret Wars' Among Disney Release Date Changes Due To WGA Strike". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 13, 2023. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
- ^ Gallagher, Simon (October 14, 2023). "Avengers 6 Will Soft Reboot The MCU & Bring Back Retired Characters, Kevin Feige Quote Backs Rumors". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on October 15, 2023. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
- ^ a b Siegel, Tatiana (November 1, 2023). "Crisis at Marvel: Jonathan Majors Back-Up Plans, 'The Marvels' Reshoots, Reviving Original Avengers and More Issues Revealed". Variety. Archived from the original on November 1, 2023. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ Behbakht, Andy (November 8, 2023). "Kevin Feige Comments On Reports Of Original MCU Avengers Returning". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on November 9, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
- ^ Rocha, John; Sneider, Jeff (November 2, 2023). Variety's Controversial MCU Article, Marvel's Blade Exec Fired, HBO Attacks TV Critics – The Hot Mic. Event occurs at 23:33. Archived from the original on November 3, 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2023 – via YouTube.
- ^ Crowley, Liam (November 13, 2023). "Loki Season 2 Filmmakers Open to Avengers: Secret Wars (Exclusive)". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on November 14, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ^ D'Alessasndro, Anthony (November 15, 2023). "Destin Daniel Cretton Departs As Director On 'Avengers: The Kang Dynasty'; Remains Aboard 'Wonder Man', 'Shang-Chi 2' & More In MCU". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 15, 2023. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
- ^ Sneider, Jeff (November 15, 2023). "Marvel Madness: Has Feige Found His First Family? Plus, Best Director Power Rankings". The InSneider. Archived from the original on November 16, 2023. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
- ^ Rocha, John; Sneider, Jeff (November 16, 2023). Marvel's Fantastic 4 Eyes Pedro Pascal, Javier Bardem, Doctor Doom Replacing Kang? – The Hot Mic. Event occurs at 22:13–22:25. Archived from the original on November 17, 2023. Retrieved November 17, 2023 – via YouTube.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (November 27, 2023). "'Loki' Creator Michael Waldron To Write Marvel Studios' 'Avengers: The Kang Dynasty'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 27, 2023. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (December 18, 2023). "Jonathan Majors Fired By Disney/Marvel Studios After Assault Guilty Verdict; Actor Had Played Kang The Conqueror". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 18, 2023. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
- ^ Couch, Aaron; Kit, Borys (December 18, 2023). "Marvel Drops Jonathan Majors After Assault, Harassment Verdict". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on December 18, 2023. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
- ^ Sneider, Jeff (December 18, 2023). "Jonathan Majors Guilty and Fired From Marvel: Will 'Magazine Dreams' Go the Route of Nate Parker's 'American Skin'?". The InSneider. Archived from the original on December 21, 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
- ^ Rocha, John; Sneider, Jeff (January 4, 2024). Steven Yeun Out as Sentry, Obaid-Chinoy's Star Wars Comments Spark Controversy – The Hot Mic. Event occurs at 15:07. Archived from the original on January 9, 2024. Retrieved January 8, 2024 – via YouTube.
- ^ Kit, Borys; Couch, Aaron (February 21, 2024). "How Marvel Is Quietly Retooling Amid Superhero Fatigue". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 21, 2024. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
- ^ Kit, Borys; Couch, Aaron (July 17, 2024). "Marvel Shocker: Russo Bros. in Talks to Direct Next Two 'Avengers' Movies (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on July 17, 2024. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
- ^ Anderson, Jenna (July 19, 2024). "Avengers 5 and Secret Wars Reportedly Turned Down Two Popular Directors". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on July 19, 2024. Retrieved July 19, 2024. – via Belloni, Matthew (July 19, 2024). "David Zaslav's Come-to-Jesus Moment". Puck. Archived from the original on July 19, 2024. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
- ^ Rubin, Rebecca (July 17, 2024). "Russo Bros. in Talks to Direct Next Two 'Avengers' Movies". Variety. Archived from the original on July 17, 2024. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
- ^ Lussier, Germain (July 19, 2024). "Kevin Feige Says Not to Expect Everyone to Come Back for the Next Avengers Films". Gizmodo. Archived from the original on July 19, 2024. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
- ^ a b Kit, Borys; Couch, Aaron; Gajewski, Ryan (July 28, 2024). "Robert Downey Jr. Back as Doctor Doom for Two 'Avengers' Movies". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on July 28, 2024. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
- ^ Coogan, Devan (July 28, 2024). "SDCC 2024: Robert Downey Jr. to Play Doom in the Russo Brothers' 'Avengers: Doomsday'". Marvel.com. Archived from the original on July 29, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
- ^ a b c Siegel, Tatiana (July 29, 2024). "Behind Robert Downey Jr. and the Russo Brothers' Mega 'Avengers' Paydays". Variety. Archived from the original on July 30, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
- ^ Sneider, Jeff (July 29, 2024). "Inside Robert Downey Jr.'s Return to the MCU, His Casting as Doctor Doom, and His Massive Salary". The InSneider. Archived from the original on July 30, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
- ^ Russell, Bradley (July 28, 2024). "Marvel unveils the first Avengers: Doomsday cast members – including Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom". GamesRadar+. Archived from the original on July 28, 2024. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
- ^ Murray, Emily (April 30, 2024). "The composer behind Marvel's Avengers: Endgame teases a return to the MCU". GamesRadar+. Archived from the original on April 30, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
- ^ "Alan Silvestri to Score Marvel Studios' 'Avengers: Doomsday' & 'Secret Wars'". Film Music Reporter. July 29, 2024. Archived from the original on July 29, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
External links
[edit]- 2020s action films
- 2020s American films
- 2020s English-language films
- 2020s superhero films
- American action films
- American science fantasy films
- American science fiction action films
- American science fiction adventure films
- American sequel films
- American superhero films
- Avengers (film series)
- Films directed by Anthony and Joe Russo
- Films with screenplays by Michael Waldron
- Marvel Cinematic Universe: Phase Six films
- Superhero crossover films
- Upcoming English-language films
- Upcoming sequel films