Avengers 5needs a director. Will Marvel turn toDeadpool & Wolverine’sShawn Levyto helm it?
PerDeadline, Levy is Marvel’s top choice to directAvengers 5,and “early conversations” have begun between the two parties. Levy has seen the latest script fromLokicreator andAvengers 5scribe Michael Waldron. Levy has not provided an answer on whether he will directAvengers 5, and report adds that Marvel plans to meet with other directors “while they wait on a decision” from Levy.
Keeping Levy involved with Marvel makes sense, especially with his next directorial effort,Deadpool & Wolverine, arriving this summer. Levy is one of the most in-demand directors and producers in Hollywood. He will executive produce and direct multiple episodes ofStranger Thingsseason 5, and also plans to direct a new Star Wars film.
Levy’s experience directing big-budget Hollywood productions and turning them into hits bodes well for Marvel, which desperately needs to regain its strength at the box office. 2021’sFree Guygrossed over $331 million at the box office against a rumored budget of between $100 million and $125 million. 2022’sThe Adam ProjectisNetflix’s third-most popular English-language filmever. Plus,Deadpool & Wolverineis expected to be one of the biggest movies of 2024, with an outside chance of grossing over $1 billion.
Avengers 5is a high priority atMarvel, with plans to start shooting in 2025.Avengers 5was originally titledAvengers: The Kang Dynasty,with Daniel Cretton as director and Jeff Loveness. Jonathan Majors was set to play Kang the Conqueror and serve as the film’s primary antagonist. However, Cretton exited the film in November 2023, while Waldron replaced Loveness as the screenwriter. In December 2023, Marvel fired Majors after being found guilty of reckless assault and harassment.
Despite no director, finished script, or villain, Deadline’s report mentioned that more than “60MCUcharacters could reprise their roles,” from Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston to Mark Ruffalo and Karen Gillian. The film will also play more like an ensemble with characters on equal footing instead of having a few leaders like Iron Man or Captain America spearheading the team.
Avengers 5is scheduled for a theatrical release on August 23, 2025.
