It looks like the retooled Avengers 5 movie is starting to come together, with Marvel Studios eyeing Deadpool & Wolverine director Shawn Levy as the top choice to helm the film.
As first reported by Deadline, Levy has been given the latest script penned by Michael Waldron (Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness). Though Marvel is keeping other potential directors in the mix after Levy previously turned down the role in March, it sounds like the studio is doing everything it can to accommodate him.
Per The Hollywood Reporter, the window of opportunity to land Levy comes after Marvel pushed the timetable for Avengers 5 by several months, which could allay any scheduling conflicts with the final season of Stranger Things.
Deadline also has some details about the script for Avengers 5. It previously was centered around Jonathan Majors’ character, Kang the Conqueror, until Marvel parted ways with the actor in December.
Now, it appears Marvel is moving away from a core cast and leaning into “more of an ensemble feature” that could include over 60 MCU characters ranging from Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, and Benedict Cumberbatch to Tom Hiddleston, Simu Liu, and Karen Gillian. Robert Downey Jr. also recently expressed interest in returning as Iron Man. It’s currently unknown whether a recast Kang will be featured in the film.
With Deadpool & Wolverine opening in theaters next month, Levy is ready to move on to Stranger Things Season 5, which will take him into 2025. He is set to executive produce and direct two episodes of the final installment.