Credit: Marvel StudiosThe first trailer for Avengers: Doomsday (2026) is here, and fans are all saying the same thing.
Avengers: Doomsday marks the beginning of the end for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)‘s Phase Six and the “Multiverse Saga,” with Avengers: Secret Wars (2027) set to conclude that chapter next year.
But for one MCU legend, it represents the start of a new era, as the actor in question has returned as a completely different character.
Related: ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Officially Recasts Two Marvel Actors
Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo (Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame), the upcoming film will see the Avengers, Wakandans, New Avengers, Fantastic Four, and the X-Men converge from across the Multiverse to face an existential threat. Here’s the film’s official description from Marvel:
Avengers: Doomsday follows beloved heroes from three distinct universes as they’re set on a deadly collision course and face an existential threat unlike anything they’ve ever encountered.
That existential threat? Victor von Doom/Doctor Doom, the villain who was teased at the end of Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025). And the actor playing him? It’s Robert Downey Jr.
Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom
Will Audiences Be Able to Separate Doom From Tony Stark?
As exciting as the prospect of seeing Robert Downey Jr. play another Marvel character is, ever since he was announced as Doom during the Marvel Studios panel at San Diego Comic-Con in 2024—where he took to the stage in full Doom costume before removing his metal mask—fans have wondered exactly how the actor will separate his performance from Tony Stark, a character he played for 11 years, from Iron Man (2008) through Avengers: Endgame (2019).
After all, Downey’s performance as Tony Stark is distinct and iconic. The fast-talking, arrogant genius became the figurehead of the Avengers ensemble and the MCU as a whole. Stark’s charismatic personality also seems to share distinct similarities with Downey’s, so how can the actor possibly play another Marvel character who is unquestionably not Tony Stark?
Directors Anthony and Joe Russo have talked at great length across several interviews about how Downey is perfect for the role; however, one question remains: Will his performance be distinct enough that audiences won’t see Tony Stark whenever Doom appears on screen? Well, we finally have our answer, as the first trailer for Avengers: Doomsday has arrived:
Related: Official: Marvel Retcons 14 Years of MCU Canon for ‘Avengers: Doomsday’
While there are many takeaways from this trailer—the massive cast, Thor going toe to toe with Doom, Steve Rogers getting to hold Mjölnir again, and lots more—perhaps the biggest moment is hearing Robert Downey Jr. speaking in his Doom voice (which is said to be an Eastern European accent) for the first time. And it seems to have left fans completely floored.
“Holy sh*t, I didn’t recognize his voice,” one writes on X (Twitter).
“I mean credit to his acting [because] I didn’t even know that was supposed to be him,” another says.
One thinks Downey sounds like actor Werner Herzog. “It’s great! But reminds me of Werner Herzog lol.”
“That’s a great voice for Doom ngl [not going to lie],” another writes.
One fan claps back at fans who have been convinced that Downey simply came back for the pay check, saying, “It’s [hilarious] seeing everybody surprised that he’s pulling it off. This notion he’d sacrifice his artistic integrity for a check was so dumb. He has way too much respect for his work to give a half ass performance for money lmaooo.”
The praise continues:
“RDJ sounds amazing holy sh*t. Completely transformed his voice for this.”
“Omg I cannot hear RDJ in that role! He’s doing good so far!”
Whether audiences will be able to separate Downey’s performance from Tony Stark, though, remains to be seen. But so far, so good.
Related: ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Finally Answers the Biggest Question Fans Have About Robert Downey Jr.
Avengers: Doomsday Cast
Avengers, Wakandans, New Avengers, Fantastic Four, and the X-Men
Doomsday features a huge ensemble cast with several returning actors, including: Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Tom Hiddleston (Loki), Chris Evans (Steve Rogers), Anthony Mackie (Sam Wilson/Captain America), Paul Rudd (Scott Lang/Ant-Man), Wyatt Russell (John Walker/U.S. Agent), Simu Liu (Xu Shang-Chi), Florence Pugh (Yelena Belova), David Harbour (Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian), Letitia Wright (Shuri/Black Panther), and Sebastian Stan (Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier).
Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn reprise their roles as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Ben Grimm/The Thing, and Johnny Storm/Human Torch, respectively, from the 2025 box office hit Fantastic Four: First Steps.
Several actors from 20th Century Fox’s X-Men movies also appear: Ian McKellen’s Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto, Alan Cumming’s Kurt Wagner/Nightcrawler, Rebecca Romijn’s Raven Darkhölme/Mystique, James Marsden’s Scott Summers/Cyclops, Patrick Stewart’s Charles Xavier/Professor X (who also appeared in 2022’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness), and Kelsey Grammer’s Hank McCoy/Beast (who last appeared at the end of 2023’s The Marvels).
Channing Tatum also returns as Remy LeBeau/Gambit from Deadpool & Wolverine (2024).
Avengers: Doomsday will be released in the US on December 18, 2026.
The sequel, Avengers: Secret Wars, which will mark the end of Phase Six of the MCU, is scheduled to hit theaters on December 17, 2027.
Are you excited about Avengers: Doomsday? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
