"Shang-Chi" director Destin Daniel Cretton will no longer direct "Avengers: The Kang Dynasty", leaving the project without a director

Destin Daniel Cretton has left the Avengers 5 director's chair, reportedly "on an amicable note". The good news is that he will remain on board to direct the "Shang-Chi" sequel and continues to develop the "Wonder Man" series for Disney Plus with showrunner Andrew Guest.

Here's What We Know

Back in 2022, it was revealed that Cretton would be involved in the filming of one of the two upcoming Avengers sequels, following Kevin Feige's announcement at Comic-Con in San Diego.

No word yet on who will replace Cretton, nor has the exact reason for the director's departure been given. The news of Cretton's departure comes in the context of reports that Marvel Studios is reconfiguring the current fifth phase of the MCU, focusing on Kang the Conqueror, embodied by Jonathan Majors, and "moving away" from the Kang storyline that permeated the Season 2 of "Loki."

Cretton directed "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" in 2021, starring Simu Liu. The film grossed over $432 million worldwide despite the pandemic. According to the report, he will stay on to direct the "Shang-Chi" sequel and continue to develop the "Wonder Man" series for Disney Plus.

The "Wonder Man" series under the new Marvel Spotlight banner doesn't have a release date yet, but filming will resume after Thanksgiving.

When We Can Expect It

Avengers: The Kang Dynasty is scheduled for release on May 1, 2026.