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Marvel Studios has made no secret of its efforts to reinvigorate the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which, despite its dominance over the past decade, has been struggling to maintain its grip on audiences.
The studio’s upcoming ensemble blockbuster, Avengers: Doomsday (2026) was expected to help set the franchise back on track. However, a new report suggests that fans might be waiting longer than expected to see the film.
Credit: Marvel Studios
The MCU’s Phase Four and Phase Five have been met with mixed reactions, with some films underperforming at the box office and Disney+ projects failing to generate the level of excitement once seen with Marvel properties.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023) and The Marvels (2023) both failed to meet expectations financially, while ongoing concerns about visual effects quality, oversaturation, and shifting creative directions have left many wondering whether Marvel’s once-bulletproof formula is beginning to crack.
The studio has already made some major changes to address these concerns. Jonathan Majors, who had been positioned as the MCU’s next major villain, Kang the Conqueror, was removed from the franchise following his conviction for misdemeanor assault and harassment.
Credit: Marvel Studios
In response, Marvel restructured its overarching storyline and brought in a familiar face: Robert Downey Jr. But this time, he’s not returning as Tony Stark—he’s stepping into the role of Doctor Doom, a character many have long speculated would take center stage as the saga’s big-bad on the same scale as Thanos.
A Return to What Works
Beyond reshuffling its villain lineup, Marvel is also banking on the return of the Russo brothers, the directors behind the wildly successful Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and Avengers: Endgame (2019).
Their return signals a move toward familiar, proven storytelling, especially given that the upcoming Avengers films—Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars—will be key to resolving the Multiverse Saga.
Rumors regarding the film’s cast have only fueled speculation about Marvel’s approach to the next phase of the franchise. Reports indicate that Avengers: Doomsday could feature an expansive lineup of heroes, including Anthony Mackie’s Captain America and Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel, as well as multiversal appearances from Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield’s versions of Spider-Man.
While Marvel has yet to confirm any of these rumors, fans have been anticipating a large-scale crossover event akin to Endgame.
Credit: Marvel
However, recent reports indicate that the film may not make its scheduled release date.
Is a Delay on the Horizon For ‘Avengers: Doomsday’?
Industry insider Jeff Sneider recently claimed that Avengers: Doomsday may face a delay, stating that Marvel is still determining exactly who will be in the movie.
“I heard a rumor that [‘Avengers: Doomsday’] might push,” Sneider revealed on The Hot Mic. “I think that the release date could [be pushed] to the next slot. I don’t know when the next slot is, but it could just miss one slot, so it’d be pushed like a few months.”
The film is currently scheduled for a May 1, 2026, release. However, with Spider-Man 4 already shifting to July 31, 2026, speculation is growing that Marvel could move Avengers: Doomsday into the next available slot in November.
Credit: Marvel Studios
Adding further weight to the possibility of a delay, fellow industry insider Daniel Richtman recently reported that filming for Avengers: Doomsday has been pushed from March to April while the script undergoes further revisions.
If the film does get delayed, it might not be the worst thing for Marvel. The studio has faced criticism in recent years over the declining quality of its CGI, with some of the franchise’s most recent outings—most notably Quantumania—receiving backlash for rushed and unfinished-looking visual effects. A delay could allow Marvel’s VFX teams more time to polish the film and avoid another round of online scrutiny.
A Necessary Reset for Marvel
With the MCU at a crossroads, Avengers: Doomsday is being positioned as a pivotal moment in Marvel’s next chapter. The question now is whether the film can recapture the excitement that defined the Infinity Saga or if the franchise will continue to struggle under the weight of audience fatigue.
Despite the speculation, Marvel has not officially commented on a potential delay. Until the studio makes an announcement, Avengers: Doomsday remains set for its May 2026 release. However, if recent history has taught us anything, Marvel’s release calendar is far from set in stone.
Would you be disappointed if Avengers: Doomsday gets pushed back?
