The Russo Bros on Their MCU Return and Crafting the Story of AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY and SECRET WARS

The Russo Bros. are returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe after stepping away post-Avengers: Endgame in 2019 to focus on their AGBO productions, and they’re not sweating the pressure as they are preparing to direct Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars.

In a recent conversation with The Playlist, the directors shed light on what brought them back, how they’re handling the weight of expectations, and their approach to weaving a cohesive Multiverse Saga.

While the enormity of their past MCU successes could be intimidating, Joe Russo made it clear that pressure isn’t what’s driving them.

"We definitely try to - I mean, we did so many of those movies in a row that you sort of forget about the pressure. The job is so all-encompassing and so intense that you can’t really think about, 'Well, what are people going to feel or think about this?' All you can think about is, 'Is this a good story that we want to tell or not? Why are we doing it?'"

That passion for the story is what ultimately pulled them back in. Joe continued: "So we’re exclusively focused on the storytelling right now. And that’s the thing that brought us back - an idea for a story where we went, 'That’s a really, really interesting story to tell.'"

Joe went on to say: "And now we’re just focused on executing that idea. Pressure and fear usually make for very poor decision-making. So hopefully we just stay calm and keep making the stories the way we like to see them."

While they won’t mention it, I’m sure the money Disney and Marvel offered them also had a big role to play in returning to the franchise. Then, there’s the fact they haven’t really made a big hit film since leaving Marvel.

Regardless, fans are hoping they can get Marvel back on track. One of the biggest criticisms of the MCU’s Multiverse Saga is the lack of a clear narrative thread, especially compared to the Infinity Saga, where Thanos was teased for years before fully stepping into the spotlight.

Initially, Kang the Conqueror was set up as the next overarching villain, but now, it’s Doctor Doom taking center stage. When asked about handling the interconnected nature of this saga, Anthony Russo said:

"Look, what you’re describing is like one of the most valuable aspects of the experience for us as fans and as storytellers. So, we lean into that in a strong way and we really feel like [the connective throughline is] one of the most unique things the MCU can do that other forms of cinematic storytelling can’t do."

"Part of the reason why we became reactivated - like Joe was describing in terms of like falling in love with a story that we felt was powerful and needed to be told—is exactly what you’re describing is that there is a narrative through everything."

So where does Avengers: Doomsday fit into that larger picture? Anthony said: "Even that portion of the narrative that has been unfolding since the end of Endgame. We’re hopeful that we can pick up the story in a way that kind of honors what’s happened between now and then, but also moves it forward."

Avengers: Doomsday is set to be released in May 2026, with Avengers: Secret Wars scheduled to arrive in May 2027.

With Avengers: Doomsday concept art recently leaking online, it’s clear the wheels are in motion for something massive. The Russos are back, the Multiverse Saga is taking shape, and Secret Wars looms on the horizon.