The directors of Avengers: Doomsday say they want the film to function as a clean break from everything that has come before in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, framing it as a starting point rather than a continuation.
At an appearance at SXSW London, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter, Anthony Russo described the film's approach to its place in the MCU timeline. "Look, we were with Rob [Downey Jr.] earlier today. We were both talking about this concept that we are back to phase zero. This is starting over from scratch. We want to make sure everybody feels like this isn't leaning on anything from the past," Russo said.
Avengers: Doomsday is the first Avengers film in seven years, following Avengers: Endgame. According to Screen Rant, nearly all MCU storylines since Endgame have dealt with either the direct results of that film or with the franchise's struggle to find its footing without many of its major flagship heroes.
The phase zero framing signals that the filmmakers want the movie to work for both longtime MCU fans and viewers who may have fallen off or never followed the franchise closely. The challenge, as Screen Rant noted, is building on what came before while not requiring audiences to have watched nearly 40 films to understand what is happening on screen.
Robert Downey Jr. is returning to the MCU for Doomsday, a high-profile development that has added to anticipation for the film. The Russo brothers previously directed both Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, making their return to the franchise one of the more closely watched developments in the current MCU slate.
The comments about starting over also carry implications beyond Doomsday itself. The phase zero description suggests some form of reboot is underway for the franchise, whatever shape that takes in the films that follow.
