In a plot twist even Marvel couldn't script, Disney has delayed the release of 'Avengers: Doomsday' and 'Avengers: Secret Wars,' leaving fans wondering if time travel is behind the extended wait.

The delays, moving 'Doomsday' from May to December 2026 and 'Secret Wars' from May to December 2027, have left audiences reeling and speculating whether Disney's strategy is more time-bending than a Doctor Strange timeline. The production woes, compounded by Jonathan Majors' legal troubles, leave a galaxy of questions hanging over Marvel's future, especially after the franchise's diminishing returns following 'Endgame’s' record-breaking success.

In the most recent announcement, Disney confirmed that 'Avengers: Doomsday' has officially taken a holiday breather, pushing its premiere from May 1, 2026, to December 18, 2026. Meanwhile, 'Avengers: Secret Wars' has been postponed from May 2, 2027, to December 17, 2027. Disney appears to be embracing that classic saying, 'Good things come to those who wait,' even if fans are starting to feel as if they might be waiting forever on a cosmic cliffhanger.

As early details emerge, fans can rest assured that Robert Downey Jr. will reprise his role as the infamous villain Doctor Doom in 'Doomsday.' It’s hard to imagine a world where an Avengers movie doesn’t include a hero broody enough to rival any teen drama. Alongside Downey, the film promises a star-studded ensemble featuring a wild mix of characters from the Marvel universe, particularly the 'X-Men' and 'Fantastic Four.' Surely, if you squint hard enough, you can almost see Hugh Jackman and Chris Evans sharing a teary reunion over a cup of mutant coffee.

Notably, the cast brings back heavyweights like Channing Tatum, Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, and Patrick Stewart, who have probably forgotten what their non-superhero lives are like. However, speculation runs rampant regarding Chris Evans' participation. While his absence from the announcement stream had many fans furrowing their brows and refreshing their Twitter feeds, one can only wonder if he got caught up in a whirlwind of heroic plotlines or simply a superhero's busy social calendar.

The delay is not without its share of concern. The production hiccups have been attributed to unforeseen circumstances following Jonathan Majors' conviction, which apparently caused a ripple effect throughout Marvel's already tangled web of timelines and multiverses. It's a wonder anyone still believes in timelines when they can be rewritten in a matter of months, leaving fans with the sinking realization that the scripts might need more polishing than a superhero's selfie.

Though these delays might give Marvel more time to perfect their cinematic magic, fans are collectively wringing their hands. Recent releases have left audiences divided, as last year's films didn't quite replicate the box office phenomenon of 'Avengers: Endgame,' which raked in an astounding $2.8 billion. The question on every Marvel fan's lips seems to be whether 'Doomsday' will be able to send the franchise back into orbit or if it’s destined for yet another mid-tier space adventure.

In the meantime, Marvel doesn't seem to be entirely hibernating. 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' is still on track for July 2026, which suggests that while we may not get our Avengers fix for a little while, other characters will still be gearing up to save the day—or perhaps just save the afternoon if you’re sticking with the four-subjective superhero principle. With only a few months separating 'First Steps' and 'Doomsday', one can only imagine the last-minute changes that might occur as the Marvel machine grinds away in search of its next billion-dollar hit.

As we gear up for the holiday season of 2026, one can only hope that 'Doomsday' brings with it more than just its actors' plateful of superhero drama. Perhaps a solid plot twist or two, accompanied by some fresh memes to keep social media buzzing while fans await the actual release. Whether they like it or not, audiences may need to gear up for a trek through the multiverse of disappointment as they wait on the edge of their seats for these new installments.

Ultimately, this all adds up to one thing: Marvel is keeping fans on their toes, delaying their content just enough to build anticipation while maintaining that traditional Marvel suspense. Much like Doctor Doom himself, the franchise remains a formidable and enigmatic figure, with twists and turns lurking around every corner. Whether these films will ultimately deliver on the growing expectations, however, remains a question best left for future timelines—assuming they stop delaying it for just a moment.