‘Avengers: Secret Wars’ Production Start Delayed Again, Threatening December Release Date

Tena Milakovic
avengers secret wars 15
Share:

Marvel’s Multiverse Saga hinges on a significant promise: a two-part finale that is set to release exactly one year apart. ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ is scheduled for December 18, 2026, featuring Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom, while ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’ is slated for December 17, 2027. Joe and Anthony Russo are at the helm of both films, and Marvel has been meticulous in maintaining this schedule.

However, this timeline has faced multiple adjustments. ‘Secret Wars’ was initially planned for May 1, 2026, then shifted to May 7, 2027, and finally to its current December 2027 slot. Marvel has also opted not to schedule any other films between these two Avengers installments. ‘Doomsday’ recently completed an extensive shoot at Pinewood Studios in England from April to September 2025, including location work in England and Bahrain.

Now, the production timeline for the sequel is experiencing another shift. Reports indicate that ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’ is now targeting a production start in February 2027, despite its release still being set for December 2027.

This February target marks the latest in a series of delays. Filming was initially expected to commence in mid-2026, then pushed to August, late September, October, and November, before industry insiders pointed to a January 2027 start earlier this month. That timeline had the shoot extending into late April or May.

The Russo brothers have acknowledged the mounting pressure. In July, Anthony Russo mentioned to Collider that filming would begin soon, close enough to induce some anxiety while they were still wrapping up ‘Doomsday.’ They later indicated that they would likely be juggling work on that film until around November while also entering pre-production on ‘Secret Wars.’

A later start creates a tight timeline for what is anticipated to be the most effects-intensive film Marvel has ever produced. A January start would have left less than a year for shooting, editing, and completing the film, while a February start further compresses that timeline. Many outlets have suggested that maintaining the December 2027 release date will be challenging under these circumstances.

Despite this, Marvel has not officially announced any delays, and its official page still lists December 17, 2027, as the release date. Reports indicate that the studio remains committed to this timeline, with discussions of a potential 2028 move remaining speculative. ‘Secret Wars’ is currently the only Marvel film scheduled for 2027.

There are additional factors at play. Anthony Mackie is reportedly set to star in a Broadway production of ‘Macbeth’ starting in spring 2027, with rehearsals in February and performances running through July. He has stated his intention to complete his remaining work on ‘Secret Wars’ after the run, although Marvel has not confirmed any changes to the schedule regarding this.

Moreover, there’s the question of what ‘Doomsday’ needs to achieve. Some sources suggest that the studio may be waiting to see the reception of the first film before finalizing plans for the sequel. The film is expected to follow the comic storyline where a cosmic entity known as the Beyonder creates a realm called Battleworld, although the exact plot details remain unconfirmed.

The stakes are high for the first film. ‘Doomsday’ has already surpassed $50 million in presales three months prior to its release and opens on the same day as ‘Dune: Part Three,’ a clash that fans have dubbed ‘Dunesday.’ Strong performance at the box office would provide Marvel with significant leverage in determining how much time is necessary for its finale.

For now, Marvel fans are left with more questions than answers. Until the studio officially confirms a start date, any reports regarding the ‘Secret Wars’ timeline should be approached with caution. If you’re eagerly anticipating the conclusion of the Multiverse Saga, the most reliable expectation is that the next update will come alongside the release of ‘Doomsday.’

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!

Share: