He once played superhero Iron Man - lending his face to the first hero of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. After his departure in "Avengers: Endgame" in 2019, Robert Downey Jr. returns to the MCU as supervillain Doctor Doom. The first extended trailer for the upcoming Marvel title "Avengers: Doomsday" now provides the best look yet at Downey Jr. in his new role - including the comic villain's iconic mask.
But Downey Jr. isn't the only one featured in the trailer. There's a long list of Marvel heroes and heroines from the comic film universe's history to admire.
These Heroes Are Featured in the "Avengers: Doomsday" Trailer
"Something's coming, something we may not be able to stop", a voice that possibly belongs to Patrick Stewart's (86) Professor X initially says in the preview video. This likely refers to the so-called incursions, a kind of collision between different universes in the Marvel multiverse, which should be central to the plot of the fifth "Avengers" installment.
Immediately afterward, Thor, also a first-generation Marvel hero and once again played by Chris Hemsworth (42), says: "I have fought alongside many warriors, they were far stronger than all of us combined. And they are dead. Fallen in battle against enemies and threats that I feared far less than this one."
Reunions Across the Marvel Universes
So it's once again about everything and nothing less than saving the world (or more precisely, multiple worlds) in "Avengers: Doomsday". The list of heroines and heroes featured in the trailer is long.
Shang-Chi, played by Simu Liu, from "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" appears. Alongside him are Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh, 30) and several other characters from "Thunderbolts*", operating under the name "New Avengers". Then Namor (Tenoch Huerta, 45) from "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" appears again - as well as Gambit, played by Channing Tatum (46), from "Deadpool & Wolverine".
The Fantastic Four, featuring Pedro Pascal (Reed Richards) and Vanessa Kirby (Sue Storm) from "The Fantastic Four: First Steps", also appear. They already seemed to be switching universes at the end of "Thunderbolts*". The "X-Men", featuring Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen's (87) Magneto, will likely make their full MCU debut in "Doomsday" - after some very brief previous appearances, such as at the very end of "The Marvels".
Captain America Returns, Doctor Doom Battles Thor
But the two biggest moments in the "Doomsday" trailer belong to the longest-serving Marvel actors: Chris Hemsworth's Thor encounters returning Chris Evans (45), who once again portrays Steve Rogers/Captain America. With the words: "Hey, my friend", he greets the God of Thunder, to which Thor responds: "This is impossible."
Then Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom and Thor face each other directly. But Doom easily blocks a massive blow from Thor.
"Avengers: Doomsday" is set to premiere in German theaters on December 16. One year later, "Avengers: Secret Wars" will follow and bring the story to a conclusion.
