Joe Russo Confirms 'Avengers: Doomsday' Will Remain in His Hands Until November as 'Secret Wars' Pre-Production Begins

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is once again in full swing. Joe and Anthony Russo, the directing duo behind some of Hollywood’s biggest hits, are currently managing two of the most eagerly awaited projects. Joe Russo recently provided an honest insight into how demanding this process has become.

The brothers are deep in post-production on ‘Avengers: Doomsday’, which is scheduled for release on December 18. Filming for ‘Doomsday’ concluded after a comprehensive run from April to September 2025, with both films being produced at Pinewood Studios in England. This extensive back-to-back operation leaves little room for downtime, and Joe Russo’s recent comments highlight that the team is still very much engaged in the project.

During a panel at SXSW London, where AGBO, the independent studio founded by the Russo brothers, is a major partner for the festival’s second year, Joe Russo provided a candid update on both projects. He confirmed that work on ‘Doomsday’ is ongoing and will continue until it is essentially taken from them in November, while ‘Secret Wars’ is already deep into what he described as pre-production.

Joe Russo gives updates on ‘AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY’ and ‘SECRET WARS’

“We are doing some work still on Doomsday and will be until probably they rip it out of our hands in November… We’re in the middle of what we would call pre-production on Secret Wars.”

(via @Deadline) pic.twitter.com/wgKddeqa8y

— Avengers Updates (@AvengersUpdated) June 2, 2026

These remarks align closely with previous reports regarding the films’ timelines. ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’ is set to begin filming in mid-2026, with a release date planned for December 17, 2027. In an earlier interview with Collider, Joe Russo hinted that ‘Doomsday’ would likely run around two and a half hours, while ‘Secret Wars’ may approach three hours. This scale indicates the significant creative and logistical work that lies ahead for the brothers and their expansive ensemble.

The confirmed cast for ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ features Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Florence Pugh, Paul Rudd, Tom Hiddleston, and Patrick Stewart, among many others. Robert Downey Jr. returns to the MCU, not as Tony Stark, but as the villainous Doctor Doom. Joe Russo mentioned at Comic-Con that casting such a character required “the greatest actor in the world.”

Together, the Russo brothers and AGBO have amassed over seven billion dollars at the global box office, creating a legacy that makes every update about their next Marvel chapter feel monumental. Their brief appearance at the SXSW London panel served as a reminder of the growing excitement surrounding these two films.

With ‘Doomsday’ set for its December release and ‘Secret Wars’ already in the works, the Russo machine is operating at full capacity. Whether Joe Russo’s November deadline indicates a smooth path to release or a final frantic push remains to be seen. However, the tone of his remarks suggests a team fully dedicated to delivering something extraordinary on both fronts.

For fans eagerly awaiting the Hall H announcement, the pressing question now is: what do you think will be the biggest surprise in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ when it finally hits theaters this December?