Amidst the anticipation for the blockbuster "Deadpool & Wolverine," slated to premiere in July and potentially salvage the 2024 summer box office from its lull, director Shawn Levy ("Free Guy") appears to be at the forefront of a potentially groundbreaking opportunity. Rumors are swirling that he has been offered the helm of "Avengers 5," previously known as "Avengers: The Kang Dynasty," in what could be a game-changing move for both the filmmaker and Marvel Studios.
According to Deadline, Levy has emerged as the top contender for the director's chair, and it seems that the screenwriter of "Avengers 5," Michael Waldron ("Loki"), has entrusted him with the latest draft of the script, a privilege reserved for his eyes only. However, Levy has yet to give Marvel Studios a definitive answer, and the studio appears to be exploring other options concurrently, arranging meetings with other directors in the hopes of finding the perfect fit.
Currently, it remains uncertain whether Levy will accept the offer. He is already deeply involved as a producer on the fifth and final season of "Stranger Things," slated for release in 2025, and his future projects are stacked, including a "Star Wars" film. Nevertheless, the fact that Marvel and its studio head, Kevin Feige, are seemingly eager to work with him again is a testament to the success of "Deadpool & Wolverine" and the high regard they hold for Levy's talents.
There is, however, a note of caution. According to THR, Marvel quietly offered Levy "Avengers 5" in March, but he reportedly turned it down due to scheduling conflicts, as he is committed to directing key episodes of "Stranger Things." Nevertheless, Marvel has apparently postponed the production of the film by a few months to allow Levy to reconsider the offer. The studio's willingness to reengage with the filmmaker underscores their desperation to collaborate with him once again.
THR also hints that the film has undergone a "reconception" since it was first announced as "Kang Dynasty," which could potentially suggest a reduced role for the villain in the final cut. However, this remains mere speculation at this point. Other high-profile directors are also rumored to be in the mix, but their identities have yet to be revealed.
As the summer of 2024 approaches, the fate of "Avengers 5" remains uncertain, with Levy's decision hanging in the balance. Will he rise to the challenge and helm this highly anticipated sequel? Or will Marvel Studios find another director to bring their vision to life? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the stakes are high, and the anticipation is palpable.
The veil of secrecy surrounding "Avengers 5" remains firmly in place, and to be honest, Disney has never officially retracted its former moniker, "Avengers: The Kang Dynasty." Nevertheless, the domestic assault conviction and subsequent dismissal of Kang actor Jonathan Majors have sparked rumors that Marvel might veer away from the villain altogether. Other rumors, however, suggest the contrary, with names like Colman Domingo floating around as potential replacements for the role, but nothing is set in stone yet.
Waldron, renowned for penning the first season of "Loki" and "Doctor Strange And The Multiverse of Madness," has emerged as Kevin Feige's trusted scribe for blockbuster Marvel projects. Not only is he scripting the fifth Avengers film, but he's also hard at work on its sequel, "Avengers: Secret Wars."
While official details are scant, if you give credence to the recent buzz and whispers circulating online, 'Avengers 5' is rumored to be a more terrestrial and grounded tale, and 'Secret Wars' could potentially be split into two films, making for a trilogy of Avengers movies.
Sources close to Deadline reveal that up to 60 actors from the Marvel Cinematic Universe could reprise their roles in the movie, including heavyweights like Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Hiddleston, Simu Liu, and Karen Gillian. However, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, and Chris Evans will be noticeably absent, at least for the fifth installment, as their characters met their fate in "Avengers: Endgame" (though Downey seems open to a multiverse-fueled comeback).
All signs indicate that Marvel is gearing up to shoot the fifth Avengers movie in early 2025, a logical timeline given the mammoth scope and scale of the production. Such a monstrous undertaking would undoubtedly require at least a year and a half to complete.
Levy's resume boasts credits like "Real Steel," "Free Guy," "The Adam Project," and the Steven Knight-created series "All The Light We Cannot See." Now, the spotlight is on him to potentially helm "Avengers 5," a daunting task that was abandoned last year by "Shang Chi" director Destin Daniel Cretton, who opted to step aside and focus on "Shang Chi 2" and the "Wonder Man" series he's producing for Marvel.
The countdown has begun, with "Avengers 5" scheduled to hit theaters on May 1, 2026, and "Avengers: Secret Wars" slated for May 7, 2027. Until then, the world waits with bated breath to see if Levy will embrace this challenging opportunity and bring his unique vision to the franchise.
