One of the most anticipated movies on my list for 2026 is “Avengers: Doomsday.” After months of waiting, we finally got our first look at the official trailer for the newest installment in the broader Marvel Cinematic Universe last week. It has me energized.
Marvel needed some time to rebuild its momentum following the release of “Avengers: Endgame” in 2018, but I think everything is fully back on track. The first few movies and projects following Endgame had the unenviable task of following up a decade-long project of storytelling and character development that culminated with one of the best superhero movies to date. There were some misses and some stumbles along the way, but there were some solid hits as well.
More recently, we got “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” “Thunderbolts*”, “Deadpool and Wolverine,” and “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” and we are now just days away from the newest Spider-Man film. And it is all leading up to our next Avengers movie. The pieces are coming together for what I hope will be another hit, bringing together multiple franchises for one story that also will set the stage for what comes next.
Hey pal
The big reveal in this trailer comes at the end with the appearance of Steve Rogers, the original Captain America. This has already led to some speculation that this is not the Steve Rogers we came to know and love in the previous installments of the MCU. This could be a more nefarious version aligned with H.Y.D.R.A. Honestly, I have some suspicions as well since we know the multiverse is in full operation here. But I will hold out hope that this Steve Rogers is legitimatly good. I think the shot with him grabbing Mjölnir as Thor offered up to verify his identity is ultimately going to be a misdirect of some kind. I hope I am wrong.
There is still so much more to see in the movie, of course. We got some good X-Men teases, which I loved seeing. I’m going to go back and watch the original X-Men movies at some point, especially since the original X-Men cast is what is represented in this film, as opposed to the newer generation in the Fox universe. James Marsden as Cyclops is getting some good love with a more comic-accurate suit, which is a bit ironic given his reply to Wolverine in the first X-Men movie…
Is Spider-Man in Avengers: Doomsday?
The cast of Avengers: Doomsday was revealed previously, with a long-winded shot of the casting chairs. So we are led to believe certain actors and characters may not be appearing in this movie. Notably, there is no mention of Tom Holland’s Spider-Man or Elizabeth Olsen’s Wanda Maximoff. I can only hold out hope that we see one or the other in the movie, if only to set up “Avengers: Secret Wars” for 2027. Holland appearing as Spider-Man is probably unlikely given we are getting the next Spider-Man movie next week, but he will certainly be a key figure in “Avengers: Secret Wars” next year.
As for Olsen, that could be a different story. Her apparent demise in “Doctor Strange: Multiverse of Madness” has never silenced the fan speculation and demand for her return. The upcoming release of “VisionQuest” on Disney+ figures to reference her in some capacity this fall, leading up to the release of “Avengers: Doomsday.”
Of course, two other notable characters missing are Deadpool and Wolverine. Ryan Reynolds had some fun with that at the Marvel Studios panel at Comic-Con, while donning a gray Deadpool suit.
#RyanReynolds appeared as an audience member during Marvel's #SDCC2026 panel fully suited up as #Deadpool, and he notably sported a brand new costume. 👀Follow Along With Us Here: bit.ly/3Rx5E0s
It is an obvious tease for something in the future, which is fine with me. The next Deadpool movie, however, is reportedly in development.
I hope we see Hugh Jackman play Wolverine one more time in one of these Avengers movies. We need to see him one more time alongside the X-Men and on the same screen as Captain America, Mr. Fantastic, and Doctor Doom. I expect to see it in “Avengers: Secret Wars.”
I love it when a plan comes together
There is a lot to lay out in “Avengers: Doomsday,” as we are seeing the New Avengers (the Thunderbolts) meeting the Fantastic Four, returning characters like Thor and Ant-Man, and the X-Men. That is a lot to pull together, so adding in too many surprise characters may not be happening this time.
I have a countdown to the release of “Avengers: Doomsday” on my phone, so I am ready for this.
- “Avengers: Doomsday” will release in theaters on December 18, 2026.
- “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” will release in theaters on July 31, 2026.
- “VisionQuest” will release on Disney+ on October 14, 2026.