Though it has only just begun, the Multiverse Saga of the Marvel Cinematic Universe already has its end in sight in the back-to-back crossover event, Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars.
Though Destin Daniel Cretton has already been confirmed to direct the first of these films, the director behind Secret Wars has yet to be revealed. Nevertheless, several MCU directors could perfectly fill the role.
Ryan Coogler
Ryan Coogler is one of the most unique voices currently at play in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. After his hit 2018 film Black Panther, which brought the fictional country of Wakanda to live for the first time, Coogler will return to the franchise when Phase 4 comes to an end later this year with Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
Coogler brings a fresh perspective to his work in the franchise, specializing in building intriguing new worlds to life and balancing a large cast of brilliant actors. With a third Black Panther film a long way off, the director's slate seems wide open to finally helm a crossover event in the form of the sixth Avengers film.
Shane Black
After Jon Favreau, the director of the first two Iron Man films elected not to direct the final installment of the trilogy, Shane Black was brought in to helm Iron Man 3. While certain plot twists in the film were disparaged by fans, many admit that Iron Man 3 is a generally well-made and interesting addition to the MCU.
Though not all of Shane Black's creative choices in Iron Man 3 were beloved, the director deserves more credit from Marvel fans. While major team-up films may not be Black's signature style, he would no doubt turn in a unique version of Secret Wars, packed with emotional resiliency and symbolism.
James Gunn
James Gunn entered the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2014 with Guardians of the Galaxy, a film that quickly became one of the most beloved entries in the entire franchise. He delivered the highly-anticipated sequel three years later and, after some behind-the-scenes drama that has thankfully died down, will also helm the long-awaited Guardians of the Galaxy, volume 3, which will be released in 2023.
Gunn has been quite vocal about his participation in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise ending with the third installment. Marvel will want to snap up his brilliant creative mind for future projects quickly or risk losing his unique voice forever. Unfortunately for Marvel fans, with DC already contracting the creator to direct several television projects, it may already be too late for the MCU to retain Gunn for the foreseeable future.
Kate Herron
Kate Herron is a relatively new addition to the MCU family, directing all six episodes in the first season of Disney+'s Loki series. Though her work on the streaming series was generally well-received, Herron has revealed that she will not be returning for the second season, which will premiere in 2023.
Though Herron's involvement in the MCU appears to have ended following her exit from Loki, it may be that the director had to step down from the project to help develop the highly-anticipated Secret Wars. Her experience with multiversal storytelling would prove essential in the upcoming film, which she would certainly do a brilliant job of directing.
Matt Shakman
Matt Shakman is a creative voice behind one of the most emotionally resonant entries in the MCU, directing all nine episodes of the MCU's very first Disney+ venture, WandaVision. The director has also been the subject of recent rumors, as many fans suspect that he has been tapped to direct the highly-anticipated Fantastic Four reboot, which will kick off Phase 6 in 2024.
If rumors prove true about Shakman's involvement with Fantastic Four, the director may prove too busy to helm Secret Wars. Nevertheless, because Marvel's First Family will undoubtedly play a major role in the upcoming Avengers film, Marvel may want a distinct and similar voice to direct both films.
Sam Raimi
Sam Raimi is a legendary creator within the boundaries of the Marvel Universe, bringing the first live-action version of Spider-Man to the screen in 2002. After directing all three of the original Spider-Man trilogy, Raimi recently returned to Marvel for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Fans simply can't get enough of Raimi's superhero storytelling, with many wondering if his return was simply a one-off or a signal of many more Marvel movies to come. While the director's horror sensibilities would likely have to be put on hold for a project like Secret Wars, Raimi has already proven more than capable of telling a tight and compelling superhero story on numerous occasions.
Jon Watts
Jon Watts is the director responsible for bringing to life one of the best cinematic versions of Spider-Man yet. As the first MCU director to helm all three installments of his respective trilogy, Watts's work has been lauded by fans, especially after the release of Spider-Man: No Way Home in 2021.
Despite being confirmed to direct the MCU's Fantastic Four film, Watts dropped out of the project earlier this year, claiming to need a break from the superhero genre. However, it would not be beyond Marvel and Watts to make such a claim to hide the director's involvement with an even bigger project in Secret Wars.
Jon Favreau
In many ways, Jon Favreau is responsible for the birth of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Though better known now for portraying the character of Happy Hogan for over ten years in the franchise, Favreau also directed both Iron Man and Iron Man 2 in 2008 and 2010, respectively.
Though it has been over a decade since Favreau directed a Marvel film, the brilliant creator has remained closely connected to the franchise. With his recent contributions to the Star Wars universe, Favreau has more than proven his readiness to helm yet another superhero venture, and would certainly work wonders with a story as massive as Secret Wars.
Destin Daniel Cretton
Destin Daniel Cretton, best known for introducing one of the best new heroes in Phase 4 in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, has a bright future in the MCU. Not only is the director reportedly attached to a Shang-Chi sequel, a Ten Rings spinoff project, and a Wonder Man Disney+ series, but he was also recently confirmed to helm Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, which will release in 2025.
If The Kang Dynasty and Secret Wars are to be a back-to-back events, it would make sense for both films to be helmed by the same director, much like the most recent two Avengers films. However, if Cretton was attached to both films, it wouldn't make sense for Marvel only to announce his involvement with the first. Even so, fans can still hope that the director may yet find himself at the helm of both upcoming films, lending a unity of voice to the Multiverse Saga's epic conclusion.
The Russo Brothers
Joe and Anthony Russo are two of the most prolific voices from the MCU's Infinity Saga. Joining the franchise with Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Civil War, the directing duo would go on to helm the biggest films thus far in the franchise in Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame.
Despite the Russo Brothers' several public indications that they would be interested in a Secret Wars project, Marvel Studios CCO Kevin Feige has confirmed that they will not be returning for the upcoming project. While this may disappoint many fans who had been hoping for the directors' return, it also wouldn't be the first time that Marvel Studios had outright lied to fans. It may still be possible for the Russos to return once more to direct what is sure to be one of the most epic entries in the entirety of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.