Robert Downey Jr. at the Marvel Studios panel at Comic-Con on Saturday

Source: JESSE GRANT/GETTY IMAGES FOR DISNEY

Robert Downey Jr. at the Marvel Studios panel at Comic-Con in 2024

Disney has pushed the releases of the fifth and sixth entries in Marvel Studios’ Avengers series from May to December next year and in 2027. 

Avengers: Doomsday moves from May 1 next year to December 18, 2026 and Avengers: Secret Wars from May 7, 2027 to December 18 of that year. 

Joe and Anthony Russo are directing both films, having previously steered Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, which between them grossed nearly $5bn. 

The Russo brothers announced their involvement in the sequels at last year’s Comic-Con, where it was also revealed that Robert Downey Jr would play villain Dr Doom. 

Avengers: Doomsday recently started production in the UK with an ensemble cast that includes Chris Hemsworth, Sebastian Stan, Paul Rudd, Vanessa Kirby, Anthony Mackie, Florence Pugh, James Marsden, Letitia Wright, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Channing Tatum, Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart. 

Disney also announced that Ridley Scott’s post-apocalyptic sci-fi adventure The Dog Stars, from 20th Century Studios, has been set for release on March 27 next year. The studio’s The Devil Wears Prada 2, also from 20th Century, moves into the May 1, 2026 slot vacated by Avengers: Doomsday

Meanwhile 20th Century’s 2022 smash hit Avatar: The Way Of Water has been set for an Imax/3D re-release on October 3 this year, two months before the opening of new franchise entry Avatar: Fire And Ash.