The Marvel Cinematic Universe is getting a hard reboot in spirit, if not in name. At a headline session at SXSW London on Tuesday, directors Anthony and Joe Russo declared that their upcoming Avengers: Doomsday represents a clean slate for the franchise, with Robert Downey Jr. returning as antagonist Dr. Doom.

Russo brothers say Avengers: Doomsday marks a 'phase zero' reset for the MCU

Russo brothers say Avengers: Doomsday marks a ‘phase zero’ reset for the MCU

A fresh start, not a sequel mindset

Speaking at the Shoreditch edition of the festival, Joe Russo was unambiguous about the duo’s intentions. “We were both talking about this concept that we are back to phase zero,” he said, as quoted by The Hollywood Reporter. “This is starting over from scratch. We want to make sure everybody feels like this isn’t leaning on anything from the past.”

The brothers, who helmed both Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, admitted they had been “exhausted” after seven years leading the franchise and felt a genuine sense of closure after Endgame. What changed their minds was a pitch from writer Stephen McFeely. Anthony Russo described the idea as something that “reignited” the project, though he stopped short of revealing specifics. “That all of a sudden broke the skies open for us, and we saw all new kinds of possibilities,” he said.

Gen Z, disruption, and the changing film landscape

The session, titled “Building Artistic Universes Without Borders,” also touched on the broader state of cinema. AGBO co-founders Anthony and Joe Russo, joined by partner Donald Mustard, former chief creative officer at Epic Games, praised young filmmakers Curry Barker (26) and Kane Parsons (20) behind Obsession and Backrooms.

Anthony Russo called Obsession “viciously funny, in a very dark way,” noting it was made for under a million dollars and was on track to deliver the highest return ever for a film. “Gen Z are aging into becoming not only the dominant audience, but the dominant storytellers today,” he added.

On culture, conflict, and storytelling

Joe Russo also reflected on the corrosive pull of conflict-driven social media, warning that the entertainment sector risks hollowing itself out. “The one thing left that binds all of us is stories,” he said, “and the more we can diversify those stories, the more we can democratize how those stories are told.”

The cast of Avengers: Doomsday features Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, and Chris Hemsworth, with the film officially scheduled to hit theaters on December 18, 2026.

Also Read: Russo Brothers getting paid a staggering $80 million for Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars; Robert Downey Jr’s deal even more lucrative: Report