Kevin Feige, president of Marvel Studios, has officially confirmed that the Marvel Cinematic Universe will undergo a significant reset after the events of the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday – Avengers: Secret Wars films. This reset will include new casting for key heroes, and these refreshed versions of iconic characters like Iron Man and Captain America will make their debuts in the franchise’s next X-Men movie.
The announcement came during a press event at Marvel’s headquarters in Burbank, California, where Feige shared insights into the studio’s future plans. He revealed that the MCU currently operates under a flexible seven-year roadmap that extends to 2032, allowing adjustments as needed.
New Faces for Classic Heroes, Except for Thor
Feige addressed questions about whether the MCU would recast characters such as Tony Stark, Steve Rogers, T’Challa, and Thor. He responded that most heroes would see new portrayals except Thor, with Chris Hemsworth expected to continue in the role. Feige also expressed appreciation for actors from earlier Marvel projects returning in new capacities, referencing Tim Blake Nelson’s recent appearance as Samuel Stern in Captain America: Brave New World.
He stated,
“With Downey Jr. now playing Dr. Doom, are there plans to recast the core Iron Man, Captain America, etc. on the big screen? Yes and no. Feige sees a star such as Chris Hemsworth still in his prime to play Thor, and even cherishes the return of thespians (i.e. Tim Blake Nelson’s Samuel Stern in Captain America: Brave New World) who played Marvel characters years ago. But, yes, in the longterm like with many other storied movie franchises, Marvel classic superheroes will get new faces.” —Kevin Feige, Marvel Studios President
Debuting Recasts in the X-Men Franchise
Significantly, the refreshed versions of these heroes will not reappear in their solo titles but will premiere within the upcoming X-Men film. Feige confirmed,
“X-Men is where that will happen.” —Kevin Feige, Marvel Studios President
This move highlights Marvel’s strategy to integrate the X-Men more fully into the MCU. The upcoming X-Men project will be directed by Jake Schreier, known for his work on Thunderbolts, and is positioned as a pivotal entry following the universe-altering Secret Wars event.
Resetting Timelines Through Secret Wars
Feige explained that the Secret Wars crossover would serve as a narrative mechanism to reset singular timelines within the MCU, effectively rebooting aspects of the franchise. This approach mirrors the comic book source material, where multiple realities often converge and diverge.
Rumors regarding an MCU reset had been circulating since late 2023, with reports suggesting that the original versions of Iron Man, Captain America, and Black Widow would be retired in favor of new actors portraying these characters. Feige’s confirmation aligns with these expectations and provides official clarity.
Industry Perspectives on Reboots
Earlier this year, Brad Winderbaum, Marvel’s Head of Streaming, Television, and Animation, commented on rebooting comic-based universes. While cautious about full resets, he observed the challenges of restarting such beloved fictional worlds. He remarked,
“You’re going to have to ask Kevin about the features. I’m on the TV side, but we do navigate the same waters and live in the same universe. I’m a comic fan, I’ve read comics since I was 12 years old, and I’ve seen what happens at comic companies when things get full reboots. And the truth is, every time there’s been a full reboot at Marvel or DC — DC, in particular [chuckles] — it always feels like you can’t really fully reboot anything.” —Brad Winderbaum, Marvel Studios Head of Streaming, Television, and Animation
He further acknowledged the strong fan investment in existing storylines, noting,
“The classics always come back around, it’s a very difficult thing to do to a living, breathing fictional universe to just start from scratch, because of all of the fan investment and love for the stories that have come so far.” —Brad Winderbaum, Marvel Studios Head of Streaming, Television, and Animation
Looking Ahead to Avengers: Secret Wars and Beyond
The MCU reset confirmed by Kevin Feige is set to redefine the franchise after Avengers: Secret Wars debuts in theaters on May 7, 2027. This pivotal moment will mark the end of the current timeline and usher in a new era with updated versions of iconic superheroes appearing within the X-Men universe.
With a clear long-term plan extending to 2032, Marvel Studios is poised to refresh its storytelling while balancing respect for its history, aiming to engage both longtime fans and new audiences in a transformed cinematic universe.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Kevin Feige leaving Marvel?
A. There is no verified information to support the idea that Feige is leaving Marvel Studios. The rumors appear to be false. The gossip began when an X account, MCU Source, posted “breaking” news about changes in Marvel Studios following the Multiverse Saga.
