Summary

  • Shawn Levy's experience with handling superhero cameos in Deadpool 3 makes him a strong candidate to direct Avengers: Secret Wars, which is expected to feature a multitude of characters from the Marvel Universe.
  • Levy's mastery of horror elements from Stranger Things would be a perfect fit for the intense storyline of Secret Wars, which is expected to feature the destruction of the universe and needs to integrate horror into the story.
  • Levy's background in comedy, showcased in his work on projects like Cheaper by the Dozen and Free Guy, makes him a perfect fit for Secret Wars, which requires a balance between light-heartedness and dramatic moments to make the destructive storyline accessible to mass audiences.

Recent rumors have suggested that Shawn Levy may be hired as the director of MCU Phase 6 project. This uncertainty has led to speculation about which characters may be involved in Secret Wars, and who might be hired to direct the crossover event.

Director Shawn Levy was hired to helm Marvel Studios' Deadpool 3 in March 2022, and recent rumors suggest Levy may be revealed as the director of Avengers: Secret Wars. Shawn Levy responded to these Secret Wars rumors during an interview with ET Canada, noting that he "read that rumor, and that's all [he's] gonna say." This ambiguous response neither confirmed nor denied whether Levy would be directing Secret Wars in Phase 6, perhaps suggesting that he could be in the running alongside also recently-rumored Sam Raimi. Although nothing has yet been confirmed, there are several clear reasons why Shawn Levy would be the perfect director for Avengers: Secret Wars.

10 Shawn Levy Will Have Experience With Cameos From Deadpool 3

Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman as Deadpool and Wolverine in Deadpool 3

2027's Avengers: Secret Wars is expected to be adapted from Marvel Comics' 1984 and 2015 crossover events of the same name, which featured a multitude of characters from the Marvel Universe. This means that the MCU's Secret Wars will likely feature cameo appearances not only from the MCU's history but also from non-MCU Marvel franchises. Many characters, specifically from Fox's X-Men franchise, have been rumored to be appearing in 2024's Deadpool 3, so Shawn Levy's handling of these highly-anticipated cameo appearances would prove his capability at featuring superhero cameos in Avengers: Secret Wars, if he should be brought on as the Phase 6 project's director.

9 Stranger Things’ Horror Vibes Would Match Secret Wars

Sadie Sink as Max running from Vecna in Stranger Things episode Dear Billy

Shawn Levy's impressive career has involved him directing eight episodes of the smash-hit Netflix series Stranger Things, comprising two episodes in each season, including season 4, episode 4, "Dear Billy," which featured Max's instantly iconic Kate Bush moment. Avengers: Secret Wars is expected to feature the destruction of the universe, so will surely need to integrate horror elements into the story. Levy's mastery of these horror tricks from Stranger Things would fit perfectly in the intense storyline of Secret Wars, particularly since Stranger Things puts its focus on its characters and their relationships, with the horror informing the plot, fitting the bill perfectly for the Multiverse Saga's conclusion.

8 Shawn Levy’s Comedy Is Perfect For The MCU

Ryan Reynolds as Guy wearing glasses and looking shocked in Free Guy

As well as dabbling in the world of horror and science fiction, Shawn Levy is a gifted director of comedy, and since Marvel Studios has always balanced the light-heartedness of the MCU with the franchise's more dramatic moments, Levy would deliver this perfectly in Avengers: Secret Wars. Levy's directing experience with Cheaper by the Dozen, The Internship, Free Guy (which starred Deadpool 3's Ryan Reynolds), and Night at the Museum means he's worked on an eclectic mix of comedic projects. This not only makes Levy perfect for Deadpool 3 but also makes him a strong contender for Secret Wars, which needs to make its destructive storyline accessible to mass audiences.

7 Shawn Levy Has Produced Superhero Projects Before

Amandla Stenberg as Ruby Daly in The Darkest Minds

2024's Deadpool 3 isn't Shawn Levy's first foray into the world of superheroes, and this prior experience will prove beneficial should he be hired for Avengers: Secret Wars. Levy's first directing jobs included TV shows such as The Secret World of Alex Mack, The Journey of Allen Strange, and Animorphs, all of which included characters imbued with superpowers. Levy was also a producer on 2018's The Darkest Minds, featuring a group of teenagers with superpowers rebelling against an oppressive government. After Deadpool 3's release, Levy will have had decades of experience working with superheroes, making him the perfect shepherd for the many heroes expected to appear in Avengers: Secret Wars.

6 Deadpool 3 Will Explore The Multiverse More Than Previous MCU Projects

Doctor Strange on Earth-838 in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

Avengers: Secret Wars is expected to be Marvel Studios' most expansive story yet, exploring many corners of the multiverse, so whoever directs the project needs to be able to tackle this massive task. While Sam Raimi's Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness provided glimpses into a variety of alternate realities, Deadpool 3 will be primarily set in universes other than the MCU's main continuity. This means that Levy's Phase 5 project will be investigating the multiverse much more than previous MCU projects. Shawn Levy will have ample knowledge of the multiverse's rules and concepts, making him a clear candidate to direct Secret Wars.

5 Shawn Levy Has Experience In Huge Franchises

Ben Stiller and Robin Williams as Larry Daley holding a flashlight and Teddy Roosevelt in Night at the Museum

Marvel Studios' MCU is the most widespread superhero franchise of all time, and Secret Wars is slated as the franchise's 46th film, meaning its director needs to have confidence working in a huge franchise. This isn't a problem for Shawn Levy, who directed every installment in the Night at the Museum franchise and has more recently entered talks to helm a project in the Star Wars franchise following the release of Deadpool 3 and Stranger Things season 5. While Shawn Levy's Star Wars project may impact scheduling him for Secret Wars, this experience will prove valuable in bringing the Multiverse Saga to a satisfying ending.

4 Levy’s Experience In Sci-Fi Is Paramount To Avengers: Secret Wars

Amy Adams as Louise Banks looking at a symbol in Arrival

Shawn Levy's experience working with superheroes, in comedies, and in horror-themed projects has already formed an impressive portfolio when considering him as Avengers: Secret Wars' director, but he also has years of experience working in science fiction, which is at the core of every Marvel Studios project. Real Steel, The Adam Project, and Stranger Things are just a few of his sci-fi directing credits, while he has also been a producer on notable projects including The Watch, Kin, Crater, and Denis Villeneuve's Academy Award-winning Arrival. Secret Wars will be heavily reliant on sci-fi, which means Levy's mastery of this genre will be invaluable.

3 Deadpool May Be A Key Character In The MCU’s Future (& Shawn Levy Knows Him Inside Out)

Ryan Reynolds as Wade Wilson's Deadpool

The fact that Shawn Levy's first experience of working with a Marvel character is in 2024's Deadpool 3 means that he will have an intimate knowledge of the character and his motivations going forward. Ryan Reynolds' Wade Wilson will be the first character making the permanent move from one franchise to another, setting him up to be a key player in the MCU's future. Deadpool 3 could also display the MCU's first full-scale incursion, which is paramount to Avengers: Secret Wars' storyline, and Levy's experience working with Deadpool and the concepts of the multiverse and incursions make him the perfect candidate to direct Secret Wars​​​​​​​.

2 The MCU Would Benefit From A Familiar Director Tackling Secret Wars

Marvel Comics' Secret Wars with Doctor Strange, Doctor Doom, and Sue Storm

While it's possible that Marvel Studios could hire a new director to helm Avengers: Secret Wars, there are clear benefits to bringing back previous MCU directors for epic crossover events such as the Avengers films. After directing Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Civil War, the Russo Brothers did a fantastic job with Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings' Destin Daniel Cretton has been hired to direct Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. This suggests Marvel Studios will pick a director with experience working with the studio to lead Secret Wars, and Shawn Levy might be the strongest choice.

1 Deadpool 3’s Hype Could Boost Secret Wars, If Levy Returns

Ryan Reynolds as Wade Wilson in the opening of 2016's Deadpool

In recent years - particularly in the wake of Avengers: Endgame - several MCU projects have been met with criticism as the quality appears to have dipped and so-called "superhero fatigue" has emerged. Despite this, Phase 5's Deadpool 3 is one of the most highly-anticipated projects in the MCU's future, mostly attributed to the popularity of the character in Fox's X-Men franchise and the return of Hugh Jackman's Wolverine. This hype suggests Deadpool 3 may be one of the Multiverse Saga's best performers, and this good will could rub off on Avengers: Secret Wars if Shawn Levy is asked to return to helm the Phase 6 project.