Marvel fans may have to wait a little while longer for Avengers: Secret Wars. Marvel Studios is reportedly in early discussions about splitting the upcoming superhero epic into two films, which would see the latter half delayed until Phase 7.
According to Inside the Magic, reliable insiders have stated that Marvel Studios is reconsidering how best to release Secret Wars. One of the plans is to split the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe installment into two movies. If that is indeed the path Marvel chooses, Secret Wars Part II as well as the end of the entire Multiverse Saga would be delayed by "a few years." Rumors that Marvel Studios was thinking about turning the upcoming blockbuster film into a two-parter surfaced online in February 2023. At this time, Marvel Studios and Disney have not responded to the reports, meaning that fans should take these claims with a grain of salt for now. Avengers: Secret Wars is currently scheduled to hit the big screen on May 1, 2026.
Avengers: Secret Wars was announced at 2022's San Diego Comic-Con and is expected to serve as a direct sequel to Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. While plot details for the upcoming Avengers sequels remain under wraps, Benedict Cumberbatch's Doctor Strange will reportedly have an antagonistic role in The Kang Dynasty. Strange has become a key player in The Multiverse Saga, with the character's recent film, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, seemingly setting up the Secret Wars storyline. The 2022 film's end-credits scene mentioned an impending "incursion," a term pulled from the 2015 Secret Wars comic book storyline that is used to describe two worlds that are about to collide. Michael Waldron, whose MCU writing credits include Loki and Multiverse of Madness, is writing the screenplay for Avengers: Secret Wars.
Marvel Is Focusing on Quality Over Quantity
While the first three phases of the MCU -- known collectively as The Infinity Saga -- were mostly well-received by fans and critics, the same couldn't be said for the recently concluded Phase 4, which received mixed reviews. After receiving "internal negative feedback" regarding Phase 4's distribution and quality, Marvel Studios is reportedly re-examining its upcoming slate with a greater focus on quality over quantity. While unconfirmed, this renewed focus on producing the best product possible could be why Marvel is toying with splitting Avengers: Secret Wars into two films as well as extending The Multiverse Saga through an additional phase. Upcoming MCU projects that have already been affected by this decision include Echo, Ironheart and Agatha: Coven of Chaos among others.
Who Will Direct Secret Wars?
At this time, no director is attached to Avengers: Secret Wars. Shang-Chi director Destin Daniel Cretton is currently attached to helm The Kang Dynasty, but is not expected to direct Secret Wars. Anthony and Joe Russo, who directed Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, are also not in the running to direct the sixth Avengers movie. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever's Ryan Coogler was rumored in late 2022 to have been hired, but he quickly shot down the rumors, calling them "crazy." It is unknown when Marvel will announce a director for Secret Wars.
Avengers: Secret Wars is currently scheduled to hit theaters on May 1, 2026.
Source: Inside the Magic