Marvel Studios has test-screened Avengers: Doomsday at a runtime of roughly two hours and 45 minutes, with internal scores reportedly surpassing Avengers: Endgame. Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, the massive crossover blockbuster is scheduled to hit theaters on December 18, 2026, following recent reshoots and the filming of an unfinished post-credits scene.
Runtime Adjustments and Internal Screening Scores
As post-production moves forward, Marvel Studios has trimmed the length of its upcoming ensemble tentpole. Earlier reports indicated that top executives wrestled with a draft running three hours and 30 minutes, while subsequent updates pointed to a target of two hours and 50 minutes. According to industry scooper @MyTimeToShineH on X, the film’s current cut stabilizes at an acceptable two hours and 45 minutes.
Private internal test screenings have yielded exceptionally high marks. Feedback from these early viewings indicates that the movie scored higher than 2019’s Avengers: Endgame. While those screenings remain internal, another test screening was held that featured an unfinished post-credits scene shot just recently.
Reshoots, Set Rumors, and Resolving Behind-the-Scenes Friction
The road to the finish line has drawn substantial speculation regarding production hurdles. Over the past year, unverified set reports alleged ego clashes, a three-week reshoot for Robert Downey Jr. involving Doctor Doom footage, and an on-set shouting match between Wyatt Russell and David Harbour.
Addressing the production climate, @MyTimeToShineH reported that any feud has “been resolved” and that there are currently no issues with Doomsday.
Concurrently, additional photography wrapped up, prompting speculation from scooper Daniel Richtman that the team filmed a scene that will make a lot of people happy.
Fan theories center on potential character appearances, including Elizabeth Olsen’s Wanda Maximoff alongside Vanessa Kirby’s Sue Storm.
Shooting Without a Finished Script: The Russo Brothers’ Directing Style
Much of the early speculation surrounding the project stemmed from the filmmakers’ unorthodox production schedule. Directors Anthony and Joe Russo commenced principal photography before the screenplay was finalized, with actor Wyatt Russell noting that the story shifted constantly during production. Joe Russo defended the approach, emphasizing that the narrative functioned as an organic process.
“We always view the script as a living organism. We’re improvisation-based, rehearsal-based directors. We like to see what the actors bring to the characters, and sometimes you don’t get the actors until a few days or a few weeks before you shoot them. And a lot of the time, that’s when the magic happens.”
Joe Russo, Director
Anthony Russo characterized the film’s overarching creative mission as a “back to zero” moment for Marvel, explaining that the studio aimed to avoid leaning solely on established cinematic capital in favor of introducing fresh elements. To handle the massive ensemble cast featuring characters from three distinct universes—including the Avengers, New Avengers, X-Men, and The Fantastic Four—the directors drew narrative inspiration from the Western classic Once Upon a Time in the West.
Cast Lineup and the Road to December 18
The blockbuster features an expansive roster combining returning MCU veterans and franchise newcomers. The credited cast includes Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Mackie, Winston Duke, Tom Hiddleston, Sebastian Stan, Letitia Wright, Paul Rudd, and Robert Downey Jr. Franchise debuts include Wyatt Russell, Simu Liu, Tenoch Huerta Mejia, Mabel Cadena, Florence Pugh, Danny Ramirez, David Harbour, Hannah John-Kamen, Lewis Pullman, India Rose Hemsworth, and Wesley Holloway.
They are joined by the principal cast of The Fantastic Four: First Steps—Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn—alongside X-Men veterans Kelsey Grammer, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming, Rebecca Romijn, and James Marsden, plus Deadpool & Wolverine star Channing Tatum. Written by Stephen McFeely and produced by Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, and Jonathan Schwartz with executive producer Callum McDougall, Avengers: Doomsday arrives in theaters on December 18, 2026, preceding Avengers: Secret Wars.
