At the premiere for their new movie The Electric Slate, Joe Russo shared some insight on what kind of story Avengers: Doomsday is looking to tell.
Avengers: Doomsday and the following Avengers: Secret Wars will be Joe and Anthony Russo's first return to the MCU since Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.
The movies will also see the return of Robert Downey Jr. to the MCU, though as Doctor Doom, rather than Iron Man.
Joe Russo Teases 'Avengers: Doomsday' Plot
Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter at the premiere of The Electric Slate Joe Russo, accompanied by his brother Anthony Russo, teased an "exciting" and "radical" story in Avengers: Doomsday, saying it will "challenge audiences."
Russo admitted that to answer what they are or are not looking for when it comes to new faces in the movie, he would "probably be giving too much away." Still, he confirmed that they "are always looking for new faces," as "there are always new stories to tell:"
"That would probably be giving too much away, but I think… I think we’re always looking for new faces. Cause there’s always new stories to tell."
He did tell Deadline in a different interview, though, that "anybody in the Marvel bag could show up in this movie."
Russo shared with THR that beyond the question of who will be in the movies, he thinks both Avengers: Doomsday and the following Avengers: Secret Wars "will be a surprise to people." Russo explained that he feels they "found a way into the story" that he described as both "exciting" and "radical."
Ultimately, he believes it will "challenge audiences:"
"And I think these movies are gonna be a surprise to people. We found a way into the story that’s very exciting to us, but we think very radical. And I think it’s gonna challenge audiences."
Russo expanded on this idea of the movie aiming to "challenge audiences" with Deadline, saying that it is also "challenging for [the Russo brothers] to execute:"
"I think we found a way into the story that we think is going to be challenging for audiences — [it's] challenging for us to execute — and it's really exciting to us."
What Can Audiences Expect from Avengers: Doomsday?
If the Russos have proven anything, it is that they know how to do MCU events well.
After directing Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame, the Russos have established themselves as able to drive a complex narrative with dozens of characters and intertwining plots.
With teases of potential "new faces," eventual "new stories," and "exciting" plot points, Avengers: Doomsday seems like it will continue in that direction.
Once filming begins in the coming weeks, it is more likely fans will learn more — regarding who could be involved, what sets and locations to expect to see, or anything in between.
For now, though, fans should expect a lot more teases, vague hints, and question evasion (like how Chris Pratt responded when Deadline asked about his potential involvement in Avengers: Doomsday) than official confirmations.
Avengers: Doomsday will release in theaters on May 1, 2026.
Gillian Blum has been a writer at The Direct since 2022, reporting primarily from New York City. Though she covers news from across the entertainment industry, Gillian has a particular focus on Marvel and DC, including comics, movies, and television shows. She also commonly reports on Percy Jackson, Invincible, and other similar franchises.
