Russo Brothers Confirm We’re Back to Phase Zero With ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ and Robert Downey Jr.

At SXSW London, the Russo brothers candidly discussed their return to the Marvel universe. They revealed that they are approaching their upcoming film, ‘Avengers: Doomsday’, as a fresh start. Joe Russo simply stated, “This is starting over from scratch.” He emphasized, “We want to make sure everybody feels like this isn’t leaning on anything from the past.”

The event unfolded on a rainy afternoon and focused on the construction of modern film worlds. Joined by Donald Mustard from their company AGBO, the Russo brothers also addressed how storytelling is evolving due to younger audiences and new creators emerging from digital platforms.

Before diving into Marvel discussions, they expressed admiration for new low-budget filmmakers gaining traction both online and in theaters. Anthony Russo noted that these smaller films highlight the rapid changes occurring in the industry. He pointed out how younger creators are influencing audience preferences and demonstrating that successful films can emerge from minimal budgets.

The primary focus of their talk was their return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Following the monumental success of ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ and ‘Avengers: Endgame’, the directors had stepped back from the franchise due to exhaustion. However, a new concept from writer Stephen McFeely reignited their interest, leading to new creative opportunities.

Joe Russo clarified that ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ will not simply continue the existing narrative. Instead, their aim is to reset the franchise’s overall feel. He described their approach as a “phase zero” mindset, intending to rebuild the experience from the ground up. He elaborated, “That serial shifting and changing and surprising you and then reinventing itself and then shifting and changing and then surprising you — that’s exciting and I think you’re going to see some shifting and changing [with Doomsday].”

One of the most surprising revelations from the discussion was the confirmation of Robert Downey Jr.’s return to the Marvel universe, this time in a villainous role. The Russo brothers shared that they have already discussed this idea with him and are eager about its potential impact on the storyline. Joe Russo reiterated, “We are back to phase zero. This is starting over from scratch.”

The directors also spoke about the challenges of working with large ensembles. They explained that each character holds significant importance to fans, necessitating careful handling of every role. Joe Russo likened it to managing multiple perspectives simultaneously, ensuring that no character feels overlooked.

They also discussed contemporary viewing habits. Joe Russo remarked that audiences should have the freedom to enjoy stories on any platform, whether in theaters, on mobile devices, or at home. He asserted that storytelling should not be constrained by format or rigid guidelines.

The SXSW London 2026 session highlighted the Russo brothers’ commitment to significant change. With ‘Avengers: Doomsday’, they are not merely continuing a franchise but are striving to reset its emotional resonance and connection with audiences.

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