Avengers 5‘s problems could all be solved with an easy answer the Marvel Cinematic Universe has yet to turn to. Since the end of the Infinity Saga, the MCU has yet to release a new movie for Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. The in-universe explanation for that is the Avengers have not been active since 2019’s Avengers: Endgame. However, the MCU’s Avengers movies will soon be making a comeback, with Avengers 5 currently scheduled for a 2026 release and Avengers: Secret Wars set to cap off the Multiverse Saga a year later.

As the first movie for Earth’s Mightiest Heroes since the end of the Infinity Saga, all eyes are on what story Avengers 5 will tell. The anticipation for the movie is also sky-high due to the MCU’s recent woes, with the Multiverse Saga facing a lot of criticism. As such, there is a lot riding on Avengers 5 being successful. However, the Avengers film has already been delayed and is facing a few major problems that could derail Marvel’s plans, which makes it all the more confusing that the MCU has not yet gone for the best possible solution.

The Biggest Problems Facing Avengers 5 Right Now

The MCU Movie Has Some Major Issues

The biggest problem Avengers 5 currently faces is the Kang the Conqueror elephant in the room. Jonathan Majors was cast to play all the Kang variants throughout the Multiverse Saga, doing a masterful job of making each version of the character feel unique. When Majors was fired from the MCU, Marvel’s Kang the Conqueror plans were destroyed. The MCU had been setting up Majors’ biggest role yet in Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, which would have had him appear as the members of the multiversal Council of Kangs and likely the main Kang the Conqueror.

Now Kang’s MCU future is uncertain, with reports claiming that the next Avengers film is being called just Avengers 5 behind the scenes at Marvel. Adding to that, Avengers 5 lost its director. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings director Destin Daniel Cretton was initially set to helm Avengers 5 before reportedly dropping out last November. Marvel has yet to announce a new director for the movie and if Kang will still be in it with a new actor in the role. At the moment, very little of the film’s direction has been set up or made clear.

The Russos Are Still The Best Option For Avengers 5

They Helmed Some Of The MCU’s Best Movies

With the director position for Avengers 5 currently open, Marvel’s best choice to put the film back on track is also the studio’s easiest, as the MCU could simply bring back the Russo Bros. Anthony and Joe Russo are behind some of the best and most influential MCU movies. In the Infinity Saga, the directing duo helmed Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame. Three of those four films featured several MCU heroes, with the last two being the biggest Avengers movies to date.

Bringing back the Russos for Avengers 5 and possibly Avengers: Secret Wars seems like an easy solution to Marvel’s issues, which makes it all the more confusing that Marvel has yet to look their way. After their work on Marvel’s latest Avengers movies, the duo would be perfect for Avengers 5. That movie will reportedly include more than 60 returning MCU characters, which is a lot to balance. However, since the Russos made the last two movies work with the MCU’s most expansive casts yet, they could make it so Avengers 5‘s many characters all get their chance to shine.

We Might Have An Answer For Who Directs Avengers 5 Soon

There Is A Perfect Place For That Announcement

Be it the Russos or someone else, the answer to who will direct the highly anticipated Avengers 5 could be coming soon. The reason for that is Marvel Studios is confirmed to have a panel at San Diego Comic-Con’s Hall H. The event has been the place where Marvel has made some of its biggest announcements over the years. With Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige set to make more exciting reveals at the end of the month, Avengers 5‘s director could be one of them.

With Doctor Strange actor Benedict Cumberbatch confirming that Avengers 5 will start filming next year, Marvel has to lock down the film’s director soon, as prep for the movie will take a long time. Recent reports claimed that Marvel offered the Avengers 5 directing gig to Deadpool & Wolverine‘s Shawn Levy. With the MCU’s only 2024 movie set to debut in a week, a SDCC announcement that Levy will direct Avengers 5 could also be in the cards, which would be another exciting choice for the MCU movie.