'Discussions have taken place': A new Avengers: Doomsday rumor suggests its release date might be changed again — and it'll be good news for Marvel fans if it's true

• Avengers: Doomsday's release date could change again
• One insider has claimed Marvel executives have discussed such a possibility
• This time, though, it might move up a week to avoid Dune: Part 3

Avengers: Doomsday's launch date is reportedly set to move again — but, this time, it could not only be a welcome change, but also a very significant one.

Per industry insider John Campea, Marvel is seriously considering bumping up its release by one week to December 11, 2026. Currently, Doomsday is set to arrive in theaters worldwide on December 18, 2026.

Originally scheduled to arrive on May 1, 2025, Avengers 5 was pushed back one year to May 2, 2026, due to the 2023 Hollywood strikes. Then, last May, the comic book titan further delayed one of this year's most exciting new movies to allow more time for production to be completed.

However, with its most recent release date locked in, fans soon realized Doomsday would go head-to-head with another highly-anticipated sequel in Dune: Part 3. The latter movie, which is expected to wrap up the sci-fi epic film trilogy starring Timothy Chalament and Zendaya, is also set to land in theaters worldwide on December 18.

In a move reminiscent of 'Barbenheimer' — the theatrical phenomenon that saw Barbie and Oppenheimer released on the same day in July 2023 — audiences have since dubbed December 18, 2026, as 'Dunesday'. Like 'Barbenheimer', some cinephiles have already stated they'll take part in 'Dunesday', with those individuals preparing themselves to watch back-to-back screenings of the Marvel and Warner Bros. flicks.

Now, though, Campea has suggested those fans might want to revisit those plans amid rumors that the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) movie may not come out on that date after all.

Why Avengers: Doomsday might be released a week earlier than expected

In the latest edition of The John Campea Show, its host — whose track record can be described as mixed to fairly accurate — revealed what he's heard about a potential date switch.

Campea begins by reminding his listeners that Jumanji 3, which was going to drop on December 11, will now open on December 25 (aka Christmas Day). The reason? People will likely save their cash to see Doomsday and/or Dune 3. Moving the next Jumanji film's release until after that pair have come out, then, seems to be a wise move.

Naturally, that opens up a spot on December 11 — and, according to Campea, who cites an article by The Wrap and the latest edition of The Big Picture Podcast that similarly discusses a release date revision, that represents a perfect opportunity for Marvel.

If Doomsday and Dune 3 still land on December 18, the Marvel Phase 6 flick will be at a major disadvantage because Warner Bros. has already locked an exclusive three-week window for every single IMAX screen. That's the case in the US, anyway — it'll be available in IMAX in some international territories, but definitely not stateside.

You don't need me to tell you that's a big problem for Marvel, which would've hoped to entice audiences to watch the next Avengers movie on the biggest and loudest screens possible. However, if Marvel Studios moves Doomsday's launch up by a week, it'll secure at least seven days' worth of IMAX ticket revenue. Furthermore, if fans want to see the superhero flick on the best screen possible, they'll flock to watch it in IMAX before Dune 3 debuts one week later.

Right now, this is all just speculation. However, after Campea reached out to one of his sources, he was told "discussions have taken place" among Marvel executives about potentially changing Avengers: Doomsday's release date.

So, will it? Marvel Studios is very secretive about things at the best of times, so we won't learn if this rumor had any legs until, well, the comic giant officially announces a launch date change on social media. Until then, your guess is as good as mine. In the meantime, find out everything we know so far about Avengers: Doomsday.

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