Avengers: Secret Wars still does not have a director, but there's a chance that Marvel Studios will finally make an announcement on this at the D23 Expo 2022. Kevin Feige already revealed a lot of information regarding their plans for MCU's Multiverse Saga when he graced Hall H during San Diego Comic-Con 2022. However, certain information has remained under wraps, including the confirmation of several expected sequels, like Shang-Chi 2 and Deadpool 3, not to mention casting choices for Fantastic Four and Marvel's long-awaited X-Men reboot. Another big announcement to look forward to is their pick for the director of Avengers: Secret Wars after Destin Daniel Cretton's confirmation to helm Avengers: The Kang Dynasty.
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Looking at Marvel Studios' past director choices, they tend to consider filmmakers who have already proven themselves in the MCU for their higher-profile movies. Before landing Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, Joe and Anthony Russo did great with both Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Captain America: Civil War. Similarly, Cretton established himself in the MCU with the critically-acclaimed Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Another example is MCU Spider-Man trilogy helmer Jon Watts getting tapped to do Marvel's Fantastic Four reboot in the MCU before he exited the project. He is now potentially being replaced by another MCU veteran: WandaVision director Matt Shakman.
Given these examples, it's safe to say that Marvel Studios will be leaning toward someone with whom they have a previous working relationship. Based on the current pool of filmmakers from MCU Phase 4, the studio could try bring back Watts for Avengers: Secret Wars based on his track record. The same can be said for Loki helmer Kate Herron. It's also plausible that Marvel will choose someone whose first project has yet to be released. The Russos didn't become a part of the MCU until the middle of Phase 2, so the Avengers: Secret Wars helmer could be a director of an MCU Phase 5 movie or show. This hiring mentality makes sense. Marvel needs to make sure the director fully understands their storytelling ethos. Despite directors getting full creative control over their projects, Kevin Feige and his team at Marvel Studios still have notes for them, especially with their more ambitious endeavors. Hiring directors to take on a smaller project first is an effective litmus test for this.
Why Avengers: Secret Wars Needs A Director Soon
Marvel Studios may opt not to disclose their plans for Avengers: Secret Wars, including their director choice, at D23 Expo 2022, but they need to at least start the vetting process now. Like the Infinity Saga, MCU's Multiverse Saga will wrap up with two Avengers movies, both in 2025, and based on the success of Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, the franchise's best chance of another successful culmination is through years of set-up. Part of the reason why the Russos, alongside writers Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, were able to stick the landing for the Infinity Saga is that they had been involved in the franchise for years, allowing them the chance to partake in crafting Marvel Studios' long-term plan. Captain America: Civil War wasn't just intrinsic to Steve Rogers and Tony Stark's respective arcs, it also effectively set up Thanos's attack in Avengers: Infinity War.
Whether Disney announces Avengers: Secret Wars' director during the Marvel presentation at D23 Expo 2022 is difficult to predict at this point. The event is meant to be a celebration of the whole Disney brand, which means that Kevin Feige only has a designated panel to present, and he could focus on their upcoming Disney+ shows instead of their movies. Regardless, Marvel needs to actively start looking at their options for the project's helmer as the Multiverse Saga quickly progresses.