Marvel Studios made a triumphant return to San Diego Comic-Con, featuring dancing Deadpool variants and a choir. The panel included exciting news about the next two Avengers films and surprise appearances from stars like Harrison Ford and Robert Downey Jr., who is returning to Marvel’s films—but not as Iron Man.
Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom
Robert Downey Jr. will take on the role of the villain Victor Von Doom, or Doctor Doom, in at least one of the upcoming Avengers movies. Downey, who kicked off Marvel’s movie success with Iron Man and portrayed the character in nine films, appeared on stage wearing Doctor Doom’s mask and a green cloak. “New mask, same task,” he said, to frenzied cheers from the audience.
The session did not mention Jonathan Majors, who previously played the villain Kang the Conqueror. Majors was fired by the studio after being convicted of assaulting a former girlfriend and was sentenced to a yearlong counseling program.
Russo Brothers Return
Anthony and Joe Russo, the directors behind Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, will return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe to direct the next two Avengers movies—Doomsday and Secret Wars. The Russo Brothers expressed their excitement about coming back to the MCU, with Joe Russo describing Secret Wars as the “biggest story that Marvel Comics ever told” and the comic book run that made him fall in love with comics.
Captain America’s Villain Revealed
The cast of Captain America: Brave New World—Giancarlo Esposito, Tim Blake Nelson, Danny Ramirez, and Anthony Mackie—teased details about the upcoming film. Giancarlo Esposito revealed that he will be playing the villain Seth Voelker, also known as Sidewinder. A scene from the movie was shown, revealing that President Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, played by Harrison Ford, is hoping to rebuild the Avengers with Mackie’s Sam Wilson. The clip also showed Ford’s character transforming into the Red Hulk. Ford joined the panel and flexed his muscles to the roaring crowd.
Thunderbolts Reveal
The cast and director of Thunderbolts surprised fans with a short clip from the movie. Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, and David Harbour (in full costume and speaking in character as the Red Guardian) shared more details about their characters. The film is set for release in May 2025.
Fantastic Four Title Reveal
The final film teased at the panel was The Fantastic Four, starring Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige announced that the movie will begin filming on Tuesday in London and will hit theaters in July 2025. Following a video by director Matt Shakman, featuring the cast in full ’60s glory, the official title of the film was revealed: The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
Marvel Studios’ panel at San Diego Comic-Con was a thrilling event for fans, with major announcements and exciting previews of what’s to come in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
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