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Anthony Russo Details Balancing Marvel’s Past With ‘Doomsday’
Anthony Russo is helping make a new Avengers movie called ‘Avengers: Doomsday.’
He says it is hard to change famous heroes because many fans already love them.
Some fans want the heroes to stay familiar, while others want new ideas.
Russo and his brother Joe try to make choices they would accept as fans.
They also want the story to surprise people.
Robert Downey Jr. makes this especially complicated because he played Iron Man for many years.
In the new movie, he will play a different character named Doctor Doom.
The movie will bring together heroes from three universes.
It is currently expected to arrive in theaters on December 18, 2026.
Anthony Russo said changing beloved Marvel characters while preserving fan loyalty is a very difficult task.
The Russo brothers use their own judgment as fans while respecting the characters’ established histories.
Russo said filmmakers must surprise themselves and audiences rather than simply repeat earlier ideas.
Robert Downey Jr.’s casting as Victor von Doom presents a particular challenge because audiences strongly associate him with Iron Man.
‘Avengers: Doomsday’ is scheduled for December 18, 2026, with ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’ planned for December 17, 2027.
- Who
- Anthony Russo and his brother Joe Russo, the directors of ‘Avengers: Doomsday.’
- What
- Anthony Russo discussed the difficulty of evolving beloved Marvel characters while keeping their essential appeal.
- Where
- The Q&A took place at the 92nd Street Y in New York.
- When
- He spoke during a Q&A after a screening of ‘Avengers: Endgame Encore’; ‘Doomsday’ is scheduled for December 18, 2026.
- Why
- The filmmakers want to respect the characters’ history while taking creative risks and keeping the story fresh.
Character Familiarity
Creative Change
How Marvel heroes should evolve
Character Familiarity
Some fans want familiar character traits and continuity with the storytelling journey that came before.
Creative Change
The filmmakers believe they must take risks and surprise themselves and audiences so the story does not repeat old ideas.
Handling Robert Downey Jr.’s new role
Character Familiarity
Downey’s long association with Tony Stark and Iron Man makes it important to respect what audiences already connect with.
Creative Change
Casting him as Victor von Doom allows Marvel to present a major actor in a new role and move the story in a different direction.
Thor’s tone
Character Familiarity
Some viewers enjoyed or accepted the lighter, sillier version associated with ‘Thor: Love and Thunder.’
Creative Change
Other viewers, including Hemsworth according to the article, felt Thor had become too silly; the ‘Doomsday’ trailer presents a more serious version.
Key facts
- Film
- Avengers: Doomsday
- Director
- Anthony Russo and Joe Russo
- Doctor Doom actor
- Robert Downey Jr.
- Current release date
- December 18, 2026
- Sequel
- Avengers: Secret Wars, scheduled for December 17, 2027
- Production period
- Filming ran from April to September 2025
- Marvel phase
- Phase Six of the Marvel Cinematic Universe
Quotes
Robert Downey Jr.
Actor announced to play Victor von Doom after portraying Tony Stark in the Marvel films.
“we need to surprise ourselves”
thestatesman.com
“Same mask, new task.”
thestatesman.com
Sources
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