History of Avengers: Doomsday in Timeline

Avengers: Doomsday is the fifth Avengers film and the 38th in the MCU. Directed by the Russo brothers and written by Michael Waldron and Stephen McFeely, the film features a large ensemble cast including Chris Hemsworth, Vanessa Kirby, Anthony Mackie, and Robert Downey Jr.. The Avengers, Wakandans, Fantastic Four, Thunderbolts, and X-Men unite to battle Doctor Doom.

1984: Inspiration from Comic Book Crossover Event

The Secret Wars film was inspired by the 1984–85 comic book crossover event written by Jim Shooter.

2001: Inspiration from Comic Book Storyline

The Kang Dynasty was inspired by a 2001–02 comic book storyline written by Kurt Busiek in which Kang the Conqueror travels through time to enslave humanity.

2010: Potential Inclusion of Doomwar Elements

Based on the cast members announced in the livestream in March 2025, it was felt that elements of the 2010 limited series Doomwar, written by Jonathan Maberry, could be included. That comic depicts Doctor Doom invading Wakanda and features the X-Men.

2012: Potential Adaptation from Avengers vs. X-Men

Based on the cast members announced in the livestream in March 2025, Devin Meenan of /Film believed the film could be adapting elements from the 2012 comic book crossover event "Avengers vs. X-Men" written by Bendis, Matt Fraction, Jason Aaron, Ed Brubaker, and Hickman.

2015: Inspiration from Comic Book Storyline

The Secret Wars film was inspired by the 2015–16 comic book storyline written by Jonathan Hickman.

2017: Comparison to Game of Thrones Release Date Reveal

The Marvel cast reveal in March 2025 livestream was likened to the release date reveal for the seventh season of Game of Thrones in 2017, which saw a block of ice melt to reveal the date; both stunts were "mocked for their pace".

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2018: Russo Brothers Direct Infinity War

In 2018, Anthony and Joe Russo directed Avengers: Infinity War, after which they expressed interest in directing a Secret Wars film.

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2019: Russo Brothers Direct Endgame

In 2019, Anthony and Joe Russo directed Avengers: Endgame, after which they expressed interest in directing a Secret Wars film.

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2019: Avengers: Endgame Release

In 2019, Avengers: Endgame was released, making Avengers: Doomsday the fifth installment in the Avengers film series and the 38th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

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July 2022: Announcement of The Kang Dynasty and Secret Wars

At San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) in July 2022, 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. Destin Daniel Cretton was hired to direct The Kang Dynasty, with Jeff Loveness writing the script, and Michael Waldron set to write Secret Wars.

March 2023: Majors's Arrest and Allegations

In March 2023, Jonathan Majors was arrested, leading to reports and speculation about his future in the MCU due to assault allegations.

November 2023: Cretton's Departure and Waldron's Replacement

In November 2023, Destin Daniel Cretton departed from directing The Kang Dynasty. Michael Waldron replaced Jeff Loveness as writer. Marvel was considering moving away from the Kang storyline.

2023: Release Date Delay

Avengers: Doomsday was previously scheduled for release on May 2, 2025, but was delayed in part due to the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike.

2023: Gavin Bocquet working on Citadel

Gavin Bocquet was set as the production designer, reteaming with the Russo brothers after working on the second season of their television series Citadel (2023–present).

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February 2024: Rewriting to Minimize Kang's Role

By February 2024, both Avengers 5 and Secret Wars were being rewritten to minimize or remove Kang's role entirely following Majors's firing.

March 2024: Levy as Top Choice to Direct Avengers 5

By mid-March 2024, Shawn Levy became the studio's top choice to direct Avengers 5, after he directed the MCU film Deadpool & Wolverine (2024).

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April 2024: Silvestri Indicates Return to MCU

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 and Endgame.

July 2024: Russo Brothers Return and Downey Casting as Doctor Doom

In July 2024, the return of the Russo brothers as directors and Stephen McFeely as writer, the casting of Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom, and the new subtitle Doomsday were all announced.

July 2024: Announcement at SDCC

The Doomsday subtitle, the return of the Russo brothers, and the casting of Downey as Doctor Doom were all announced at Marvel Studios' SDCC panel in July 2024.

March 2025: Livestream Cast Reveal

Coinciding with the start of production in March 2025, Marvel aired a nearly five-and-a-half-hour-long livestream showing a line of director's chairs with cast member names on them, revealing 26 cast members. The livestream ended with an appearance by Downey and a rendition of Silvestri's Avengers theme.

March 2025: Cast Members Announced

In March 2025, Marvel announced 26 cast members for the film, with some actors returning from previous MCU media and others reprising their roles from 20th Century Fox's X-Men film series. It was teased that there were more cast members to reveal.

April 12, 2025: Principal Photography Begins

Principal photography for Avengers: Doomsday began on April 12, 2025, at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire, England, under the working title Apple Pie 1. Filming is expected to last for approximately six months.

May 2, 2025: Initial Release Date of The Kang Dynasty

Avengers: The Kang Dynasty was initially scheduled to be released on May 2, 2025.

August 2025: Filming Concludes

Filming for Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled to take place from April to August 2025 at Pinewood Studios in England. Filming will conclude in August 2025.