Marvel eye Shawn Levy to direct new Avengers movie

Shawn Levy is wanted by Marvel to direct the next 'Avengers' film.

The 'Deadpool and Wolverine' filmmaker is thought to be the studio's top choice for the upcoming superhero blockbuster.

According to Deadline, Levy has been presented with the script by screenwriter Michael Waldron but is yet to give an answer on whether he will take on the movie or not.

The studio is thought to be planning meetings with other directors as they await a final decision from Levy.

It is uncertain if the director will get behind the camera on the superhero ensemble project as he will be involved in the last season of the Netflix show 'Stranger Things' as a director and executive producer and also has a 'Star Wars' project in the pipeline.

The fifth 'Avengers' flick is slated for release in 2026 and had initially been titled 'Avengers: The Kang Dynasty' – although this was changed following Jonathan Majors' departure from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) after he was convicted of harassment and assault last December.

Levy's blockbuster 'Deadpool and Wolverine' is to be released next month and he explained that the film is not titled 'Deadpool 3' as it is a "two-hander character adventure" featuring the heroes played by Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman respectively.

In an interview with Screen Rant, the 55-year-old director said: "As far as crafting the ‘Deadpool and Wolverine’ story, I just felt privileged every day because you're talking about two massive movie stars in their most iconic roles.

"It also gave me an opportunity. It's the third Deadpool movie, but it's not ‘Deadpool 3’. It's a different thing that's very much Deadpool and Wolverine.

"And it's not trying to copycat anything from the first two movies. They were awesome, but this is a two-hander character adventure."