Russo Brothers Reveal Comic Book Inspirations for Avengers: Secret Wars

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As a film enthusiast eagerly awaiting “Avengers: Secret Wars” in 2027, I’m thrilled to share that the Russo brothers have confirmed they’ll be drawing inspiration from various comic book runs for this blockbuster. In an exciting interview with TechRadar, they revealed their intention to blend elements from the original 1984 “Secret Wars” limited series and Jonathan Hickman’s 2015 reinterpretation of the storyline. This revelation offers the first tangible insights into the film’s creative direction, marking it as the climax of Marvel’s Multiverse Saga. The decision to merge elements from both comic versions hints at a grand crossover event that could bring together characters and plotlines spanning decades of Marvel Comics history, making for an epic cinematic experience!

Joe Russo clarified when discussing Avengers: Secret Wars, “We tend to develop our unique take on the story. So, we rely on the comics for general guidance.” He further shared his personal attachment to the source material, noting, “I was a huge fan of the original series. That’s what initially drew me into Marvel comics. The Hickman run is equally impressive, and it differs significantly from the original in many aspects, so we’ll pull inspiration from both versions.

The two “Secret Wars” comic book series showcase contrasting methods for handling massive crossovers. The initial one in 1984, conceived by Jim Shooter and Mike Zeck, revolved around an extraterrestrial being named the Beyonder who brought Marvel characters to a world called Battleworld for their entertainment as they battled each other. On the other hand, Hickman’s 2015 edition focused on the clash of various universes during “incursion” events, resulting in the demise of the multiverse and the emergence of a new Battleworld ruled by Doctor Doom as a divine monarch. By combining aspects from both storylines, the Russos seem to be shaping a structure that can encompass the intricate narrative strands woven across the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Multiverse Saga.

Avengers: Secret Wars Is Marvel’s Most Ambitious Film Yet

Newly released concept art for Avengers: Doomsday, created by Marvel Studios artist Mushk Rizni, has been illuminated by the Russos’ admission of drawing from “Secret Wars.” The images hint at possible storylines and character appearances that align with the comic book series “Secret Wars.” Notably, one piece of art shows Doctor Doom seated on a throne, implying that the character could attain the divine status he held during Hickman’s 2015 run.

In this concept art, you’ll find different gatherings of characters, such as the Hulk, She-Hulk, Doctor Strange, and interestingly, members of the Young Avengers – Wiccan, Speed, Cassie Lang, Kate Bishop, and Ms. Marvel – along with Star-Lord and Wong, seemingly in a bar environment. A noteworthy detail is the presence of an older Black Panther, possibly T’Chaka instead of T’Challa, hinting that alternate timelines or multiversal versions could play a crucial part. Additionally, White Vision, a character with an unresolved arc from “WandaVision”, is also shown, suggesting that the Russos intend to blend storylines from Disney+ series into their cinematic releases.

The filming for “Avengers: Doomsday” is set to start in London next month, with the directors aiming for a typical shoot that lasts around six months. In contrast to their method for “Infinity War” and “Endgame,” which were shot consecutively, “Secret Wars” won’t start production until summer 2026—a year after “Doomsday” finishes filming. This longer schedule mirrors the immense size of both productions, enabling the directing crew to concentrate on one movie at a time.

The lineup for the Avengers movies is coming together, with many main characters already set. Robert Downey Jr., instead of playing Tony Stark, will portray Doctor Doom, which could significantly alter his interactions with the heroes he previously fought alongside. The new cast for the Fantastic Four will be introduced in this summer’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Anthony Mackie is set to appear as Captain America in both films, while Benedict Cumberbatch will reprise his part as Doctor Strange. Chris Pratt’s Star-Lord seems to have a substantial role in the leaked concept art, hinting at a significant presence for the character.

The movie titled “Avengers: Doomsday” is set for a release on May 1, 2026, and its sequel, “Avengers: Secret Wars”, will be screened on May 7, 2027.

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2025-03-12 11:10