Marvel Studios made a triumphant return to San Diego Comic-Con with a panel that included news about the next two “Avengers” films and surprise guests like Harrison Ford and Robert Downey Jr. Downey is set to play the villain Victor Von Doom in at least one of the upcoming “Avengers” movies, marking a departure from his iconic Iron Man character. The Russo brothers, who will be directing the movie featuring Downey, expressed excitement about the possibilities in the Marvel multi-universe with his involvement. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige revealed the titles of the next two films in the superhero team-up series, “Avengers: Secret Wars” and “Avengers: Doomsday,” set to be released in 2026.
The panel also featured the cast of “Captain America: Brave New World,” including Giancarlo Esposito, Tim Blake Nelson, Danny Ramirez, and Anthony Mackie. Esposito will be playing the villain Seth Voelker in the movie, and President Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, portrayed by Ford, is shown trying to rebuild the Avengers team with Mackie’s Sam Wilson. Ford’s character will undergo a transformation into the Red Hulk in the film. Marvel also teased the upcoming film “The Fantastic Four” starring Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, which is set to begin filming in London next week and release in July 2025.
During the panel, no mention was made of Jonathan Majors, who previously played the villain Kang the Conqueror in Marvel’s “Avengers” plans but was fired from the studio due to a conviction for assaulting a former girlfriend. The absence of Majors did not dampen the excitement surrounding Marvel’s upcoming projects, including the highly anticipated “Deadpool & Wolverine” film, which set a new record for Thursday previews for an R-rated movie. The film’s success at Comic-Con mirrored its popularity with fans nationwide, who flocked to theaters to see it.
Marvel’s return to Comic-Con comes after skipping the convention the previous year due to Hollywood strikes that prevented writers and actors from participating in panels. The stellar lineup of actors and directors at the panel, along with surprise guests, delighted fans with exclusive details about the upcoming films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The Russo brothers, known for their work on the “Avengers” franchise, expressed their creative passion for the upcoming projects and the special story that drew them back to the Marvel universe.
The excitement surrounding Marvel’s upcoming films at Comic-Con reflected the studio’s unwavering fan base and box office success. With a track record of blockbuster hits and star-studded casts, Marvel continues to captivate audiences with its epic superhero storytelling and interconnected universe. The electrifying reveals at the panel, including Downey’s return as Doctor Doom and Ford’s transformation into the Red Hulk, set the stage for the next phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and left fans eagerly anticipating the release of these highly anticipated films.
