Russo Brothers Defend 'Doomsday' Production Strategy Amid Script Controversy

Key points

• Joe Russo stated that the Russos are 'improvisation-based, rehearsal-based directors' who prefer to see what actors bring to characters, noting that actors often join production days or weeks before filming begins.
• Anthony Russo described the challenge of the film as intersecting with the MCU in a specific way, rather than answering for the entire franchise, allowing them to make sense of the narrative through their specific lens.
• The film will feature multiple hero groups from different universes, including the Avengers, Wakandans, Thunderbolts, Fantastic Four, and X-Men.
• James Gunn previously criticized the industry for making movies without finished screenplays, a practice he believes is harming the film sector.
• Rebecca Romijn revealed in July 2025 that she had filmed scenes for 'Doomsday' while the script was still being written, expressing uncertainty about whether she had fully wrapped her work.
• Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige previously stated that the studio never starts a movie without a full script, though he admitted he is rarely satisfied with the initial version.

Background

This development follows earlier reports that Joe Russo declared 'Avengers: Endgame' essential viewing to understand 'Doomsday,' with an 'Endgame Encore' re-release scheduled for September 25 to bridge the two films. Additionally, the Russo brothers previously expressed excitement about Robert Downey Jr.'s portrayal of Doctor Doom, noting that his Latverian voice gave them chills. The current production strategy is viewed by some as a continuation of the loose approach used in early MCU films like 'Iron Man,' but critics argue that the current landscape, following the multiverse saga, makes such methods riskier.

How outlets are covering it

Deadline highlights the Russos' artistic rationale, emphasizing their belief that the 'magic happens' when actors improvise and that the script is a 'living organism.' SlashFilm, however, frames this as a problematic trend, linking it to James Gunn's criticism of the industry and noting that Marvel's approach contrasts with DC's commitment to locked scripts. SlashFilm also points to Rebecca Romijn's comments as evidence that the lack of a finished script may have caused logistical issues, whereas Deadline focuses on the directors' confidence in their process. Both sources acknowledge the film's potential box office success but differ on whether the production method is a creative strength or a sign of a 'mad scramble.'

Why it matters

The production strategy for 'Avengers: Doomsday' serves as a case study in the ongoing debate about the sustainability of the superhero genre. As audiences show signs of fatigue, the success or failure of this film, which is being made without a finalized script, could influence how major studios approach future high-budget projects. It also highlights the tension between creative flexibility and the need for structured storytelling in a franchise that has struggled to maintain audience interest since 'Endgame.'

What to watch

The film is scheduled for release on December 18, 2026. The 'Endgame Encore' re-release, which includes a sneak peek at 'Doomsday,' is set to open on September 25. The success of 'Doomsday' will likely determine whether Marvel Studios continues to allow its directors to use this fluid script approach or if it will shift to a more traditional, locked-script model in response to industry criticism and audience reception.