Avengers: Doomsday Resembles 2012 More Than Infinity War or Endgame

Overview

Avengers: Doomsday might not reach the heights of Infinity War or Endgame, resembling more the original The Avengers from 2012.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) currently lacks a cohesive team structure crucial for the unfolding saga, which could dampen the effects of both Doomsday and Secret Wars.
The success of Secret Wars is predicated on having a defined Avengers team to facilitate meaningful crossovers and character dynamics.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is ramping up for its next significant events with Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. However, the buildup seems somewhat disjointed. An analysis of the post-Endgame era reveals that the upcoming titles give off a vibe similar to the inception of the franchise observed back in 2012 rather than a grand finale.

Since the early days when Doomsday was still known as The Kang Dynasty, it became apparent that Marvel Studios aimed to recreate the two-part spectacle seen in Infinity War and Endgame. The strategy was underscored by the return of directors Anthony and Joe Russo, who helmed Phase 3’s iconic installments. Additionally, the anticipated comeback of Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom has heightened both fan excitement and expectation. Yet, the current situation suggests that perhaps tempering expectations regarding the films’ significance within the greater MCU might be prudent.

Are We Seeing a Hasty Approach from the MCU?

The Absence of a Critical Team Foundation

Set to debut on May 1, 2026, Avengers: Doomsday is nearly within reach on the MCU calendar, positioned just three films away. However, these inclusions—Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts*, and The Fantastic Four—though pivotal for potential character introductions, seem insufficient to lay the groundwork necessary for a monumental event akin to Infinity War or Endgame. While it’s not a requirement for Doomsday and Secret Wars to leave a similar legacy, the perception around these films will likely be influenced by the lack of foundational buildup.

The Multiverse Saga of the MCU has shown a mixture of successes and shortcomings. Hits like Spider-Man: No Way Home and Deadpool & Wolverine heavily leaned into cameo appearances and crossover elements rather than foster organic narrative developments. Conversely, films such as Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and Eternals entered the franchise yet were subsequently overlooked, illustrating a disconnect. Despite the iconic new character introductions, there remains a critical gap in collaborative engagement among them, overshadowing any emergence of a cohesive team dynamic.

Doomsday: Echoing the Original Avengers Concept

Consequently, reevaluating expectations about Avengers: Doomsday is essential. The film is more likely to align with the ensemble dynamics of Joss Whedon’s The Avengers than to replicate the dramatic scale of Infinity War or Endgame. The cinematic universe truly flourished after the original Avengers assembled in 2012, setting a benchmark within not just Marvel but the broader entertainment landscape. While anticipating similar significance for Doomsday may be too ambitious, it is reasonable to hope for a revival of that original team-building spirit.

One of the core issues presently is the absence of a new Avengers team established during Phases 4 and 5. This situation mirrors a hypothetical scenario where critical events like Age of Ultron or Civil War were skipped en route to Endgame. There’s still potential for a fresh Avengers group to be introduced in the forthcoming films, specifically Thunderbolts* or Brave New World. Furthermore, Doctor Doom’s anticipated entry in The Fantastic Four: First Steps might emulate Thanos’s gradual buildup as a formidable adversary.

The Necessity of an Avengers Team for Secret Wars

Looking ahead to Secret Wars, which follows Doomsday and Spider-Man 4, the film promises an expanded universe that includes iconic X-Men characters and various alternate versions of existing superheroes. However, for it to genuinely resonate, a cohesive Avengers team is critical. The emotional gravitas brought forth when the Avengers joined forces with the Guardians of the Galaxy in Infinity War was due to the audience’s familiarity with both groups. This connection allowed for an engaging narrative experience.

Failing to establish such relationships could hinder the expected impact of Secret Wars‘ crossovers. Interestingly, the Thunderbolts* film may serve as a modern reflection of the 2012 Avengers model, as it brings together a diverse cast ready to confront a significant adversary. Speculation suggests that the asterisk in Thunderbolts* may indicate a potential rebranding of the group as the Young Avengers or New Avengers, setting the stage for events in both Doomsday and Secret Wars.

Disconnected Dynamics Among MCU’s New Heroes

Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson as Captain America

This concern about cohesion extends beyond audience observations; even the Russo Brothers have voiced similar sentiments regarding the upcoming Avengers films in comparison to their previous epic entries. In a discussion with Collider at the 2024 New York Comic Con, they expressed their enthusiasm for the complexity and scale of the projects:

The ambition is similar to Infinity War and Endgame. These are gonna be very, very big movies with a lot of characters in them and a lot of storylines coalescing, but we’re very excited about the stories. That’s why we came back because we felt like we had a really strong idea for what these movies should be, and we’re really happy with how they’re coming together right now.

The crucial takeaway is that the MCU’s newer heroes are significantly underdeveloped, with minimal interaction among them. While rehashing previous successful formulas might not be inevitable, the situation raises alarms for the current trajectory. Marvel effectively navigated issues surrounding Jonathan Majors and Kang by reintegrating familiar faces from earlier phases. However, the risk remains that we may find ourselves with a scenario where a band of newcomers faces overwhelming threats without sufficient character development, akin to the original six Avengers confronting Thanos so abruptly in Avengers: Doomsday.

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