Marvel fans eagerly awaiting the return of Robert Downey Jr. to the Marvel Cinematic Universe will now need to hold on a little longer. Disney has officially postponed the release of the next two Avengers blockbusters — Avengers Doomsday and Avengers Secret Wars — both of which are major installments in Phase VI of the MCU.
Robert Downey Jr. will be seen in a brand-new avatar as the iconic Marvel villain Doctor Doom in Avengers Doomsday. The film was initially scheduled to release on May 1, 2026, but will now hit theaters on December 18, 2026. Meanwhile, Avengers Secret Wars has been rescheduled from May 2, 2027, to December 17, 2027, giving both films a delay of over seven months.
Disney made the announcement on Thursday stating the change is aimed at allowing more time for production and post-production. A source familiar with the matter told Reuters that the films are among Disney’s most ambitious projects to date, requiring extended timelines for quality assurance and creative execution.
Both movies are currently in various stages of production. Filming for Doomsday began earlier this year following a star-studded cast reveal that sent waves through the Marvel fanbase. These films are being directed by the celebrated Russo Brothers — Anthony and Joe Russo — who previously helmed the MCU’s most successful titles: Avengers Endgame and Avengers Infinity War. Both of those films surpassed the $2 billion mark at the global box office.
With Avengers Endgame still holding the title of the second-highest-grossing film ever made at $2.8 billion — trailing only behind Avatar — expectations are sky-high for Doomsday and Secret Wars. Marvel is aiming to recreate that historic success with these upcoming epics.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe remains the most successful film franchise in history, and fans now have two new December dates to mark on their calendars for what promises to be a cinematic spectacle like no other.
