The heroes of the Marvel Cinematic Universe may have defeated Josh Brolin‘s Thanos, but they are about to face an even greater threat.
Directors Joe and Anthony Russo return to the MCU for their first project since 2019’s Avengers: Endgame for the franchise’s next installment, Avengers: Doomsday. The film, which hits theaters later this year, will mark a major moment in the long-running superhero franchise, as characters from the Avengers, the X-Men, and the Fantastic Four will team up to take on Robert Downey Jr.‘s villainous Doctor Doom.
RDJ famously launched the MCU with his role as Tony Stark a.k.a. Iron Man in 2008’s Iron Man, and went on to lead the series alongside fellow Avengers Chris Evans (Steve Rogers a.k.a. Captain America), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Mark Ruffalo (Bruce Banner a.k.a. The Hulk), Scarlett Johansson (Natasha Romanoff a.k.a. Black Widow), and Jeremy Renner (Clint Barton a.k.a. Hawkeye).
The Russo Brothers shocked fans with news of RDJ’s MCU return as the famous comic book foe Doctor Doom at San Diego Comic-Con in 2024. “New mask, same task,” the actor said while holding the character’s iconic metal mask. “What did I tell ya? I like playing complicated characters.”
Scroll down to learn everything we know about Avengers: Doomsday so far.
When does Avengers: Doomsday premiere in theaters?
The fifth Avengers film hits theaters on Friday, December 18.
What is the plot of Avengers: Doomsday?
Avengers: Doomsday will mark the beginning of the end of the MCU’s Multiverse Saga, a.k.a. Phases 4-6. Many of the phase’s projects — including Loki, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Deadpool & Wolverine, and more — have seen characters explore different universes and timelines, sometimes facing major consequences as a result.
The projects will culminate with Avengers: Doomsday, as characters from the MCU, Fox’s X-Men films, and the newly rebooted Fantastic Four will share the screen for the first time. While specific plot details are being kept under wraps, the heroes are expected to go head-to-head to save their respective universes from Doom’s devious plans.
Which characters will appear in Avengers: Doomsday?
RDJ, Evans, and Hemsworth aren’t the only major MCU players returning for Doomsday. Confirmed cast members include Anthony Mackie (Sam Wilson a.k.a. Captain America), Paul Rudd (Scott Lang a.k.a. Ant-Man), Danny Ramirez (Joaquín Torres a.k.a. Falcon), Tom Hiddleston (Loki), and Kathryn Newton (Cassie Lang a.k.a. Stature).
From the Thunderbolts squad (a.k.a. The New Avengers), returning cast members include Florence Pugh (Yelena Belova), Sebastian Stan (Bucky Barnes), Wyatt Russell (John Walker a.k.a. U.S. Agent), David Harbour (Red Guardian), Hannah John-Kamen (Ghost), and Lewis Pullman (Sentry). Several stars from the Black Panther films will also appear, including Letitia Wright (Shuri a.k.a. Black Panther), Winston Duke (M’Baku), and Tenoch Huerta Mejía (Namor). Simu Liu is also confirmed to return as Shang-Chi.
All four stars of The Fantastic Four will reprise their roles in Doomsday: Pedro Pascal (Reed Richards a.k.a. Mr. Fantastic), Vanessa Kirby (Sue Storm a.k.a. The Invisible Woman), Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Ben Grimm a.k.a. Thing), and Joseph Quinn (Johnny Storm a.k.a. The Human Torch).
The cast’s confirmed X-Men stars include Patrick Stewart (Charles Xavier a.k.a. Professor X), Ian McKellen (Magneto), James Marsden (Cyclops), Rebecca Romijn (Mystique), Alan Cumming (Nightcrawler), Kelsey Grammer (Hank McCoy a.k.a. Beast), and Channing Tatum (Gambit).
Is there a trailer for Avengers: Doomsday?
The movie’s first trailer (above), released on July 20, offers some clues about the film’s premise. “I’ve fought with many warriors in my time. They were far stronger than all of us put together, and they died,” Thor ominiously warns his fellow heroes. “They died facing enemies and threats that scared me far less than this one. Everything that they sacrificed will be for nothing if we do not stand together.”
The trailer teases several fun fight scenes between characters such as Shang-Chi and Gambit, Yelena Belova and Mystique, and Sue Storm and Namor. It also sees Thor go head-to-head with Doctor Doom, who severely overpowers him.
“Put aside your petty squabbles and presume nothing except this: If you return, you will return as brothers and sisters. But mark my words, we’re going to need a miracle,” Thor continues.
The trailer ends with Thor and Steve Rogers’ reunion. “Hey, pal,” says a bearded Steve before summoning Thor’s hammer Mjölnir, which he proved he was worthy to wield in Endgame.
Are tickets on sale for Avengers: Doomsday?
The same day as the first trailer’s July 20 release, tickets for the Infinity Vision version of Doomsday went on sale. According to Marvel.com, Infinity Vision is “a new certification for Premium Large Format theaters, guaranteeing moviegoers an exceptional film presentation with big screens, bright images, and outstanding sound.”
The film’s Infinity Vision screenings serve as a replacement for IMAX viewings, as Dune: Part Three hits theaters the same day and has an exclusive three-week run with IMAX screens across the country, per Variety.
When will Avengers: Doomsday premiere on streaming?
An official streaming date for the film has not yet been announced. Like other MCU films, Doomsday will likely be available to watch on Disney+ a few months after its initial theatrical run.
Avengers: Doomsday, In Theaters, Friday, December 18