Avengers: Doomsday: 10 Biggest D23 Reveals
Marvel just gave fans another big look at Avengers: Doomsday, and this time there is a lot more to talk about.
The new footage shown at D23 puts Doctor Doom, the Avengers, the Fantastic Four and the X-Men in the same story. Marvel also used the event to reveal more about its upcoming X-Men movie.
There is still plenty we don't know about the movie, but the new footage gives us a much better idea of what Marvel is building toward.
Here are the biggest things we noticed.
1. Doctor Doom Is at the Center of Everything
The biggest takeaway is simple.
Doctor Doom is the main threat.
Robert Downey Jr. is playing Victor von Doom, a completely different character from his former MCU role as Tony Stark. Marvel confirmed his casting and Doom's role when the film was announced, and the latest D23 footage gives fans another look at the character.
This is important because Marvel is not treating Doom like a normal villain who appears for a few minutes.
He appears to be the character bringing several different groups into the same conflict.
That includes heroes from different parts of the Marvel universe.
2. The X-Men Are Finally Part of the Main Event
This is probably the reveal Marvel fans were waiting for.
The new footage features members of the original X-Men movie cast, including Patrick Stewart as Professor X, Ian McKellen as Magneto and James Marsden as Cyclops. Other returning X-Men actors include Kelsey Grammer and Rebecca Romijn.
This makes Doomsday much bigger than another Avengers movie.
Marvel is bringing together characters that previously existed in separate movie universes.
And that could have some huge consequences for the MCU.
3. The Fantastic Four Are Also Involved
The X-Men aren't the only major group joining the fight.
The Fantastic Four are also part of the story, with Pedro Pascal returning as Reed Richards and Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn and Ebon Moss-Bachrach returning as Sue Storm, Johnny Storm and Ben Grimm.
That gives Marvel another important connection to Doctor Doom.
In the comics, Doom has a long history with the Fantastic Four, especially Reed Richards.
So seeing Doom face Reed in the movie is not just a random crossover.
There is a lot of history behind that rivalry.
4. Doctor Doom Has an Army of Sentinels
One of the most interesting details from the new footage is the appearance of Sentinels.
These giant machines have traditionally been associated with hunting mutants in the X-Men universe.
Seeing them alongside Doctor Doom immediately raises some questions.
Are the Sentinels working for Doom?
Did he create or take control of them?
Or is there something bigger happening with the different universes?
Marvel hasn't answered all of those questions yet, so this is one area where fans will have to wait for more information.
5. This Is Bigger Than Just the Avengers
The title says Avengers, but the movie clearly isn't only about the Avengers.
The current cast and footage point toward a massive crossover involving:
- Avengers
- New Avengers
- Fantastic Four
- X-Men
- Wakandan heroes
- Other returning Marvel characters
Marvel's official movie page also lists a huge ensemble for Doomsday.
That makes the movie feel more like a major Marvel event than a normal team-up movie.
6. The Original X-Men Are Getting a New Chapter
For longtime Marvel fans, this might be the most exciting part.
Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, James Marsden, Kelsey Grammer and Rebecca Romijn are returning to their X-Men roles.
These actors were part of the earlier Fox X-Men movies.
Now they're appearing in a Marvel Studios project.
That creates a direct connection between the older X-Men movies and the current MCU.
It also makes the multiverse idea much more important.
7. Marvel Also Revealed the New X-Men Movie Cast
D23 wasn't only about Doomsday.
Marvel also revealed the first major cast members for its upcoming X-Men movie.
The announced cast includes:
- Sadie Sink as Jean Grey
- Kit Connor as Cyclops
- Samara Weaving as Emma Frost
- Inde Navarrette as Rogue
- Christopher Abbott as Professor X
- Maya Boyd as Storm
- Adam Driver as Mr. Sinister
The movie is currently scheduled for May 5, 2028.
This is a big deal because Marvel is now building a new X-Men team at the same time that the older X-Men are returning in Doomsday.
That could be very important for what comes after Secret Wars.
8. Could This Lead Directly Into Secret Wars?
This is where things get interesting.
Marvel has already positioned Avengers: Doomsday as part of the MCU's larger multiverse storyline.
The movie is scheduled for December 18, 2026, with Avengers: Secret Wars following in 2027.
So it would not be surprising if the events of Doomsday completely changed the MCU.
But we should separate what Marvel has confirmed from what fans are guessing.
We know Doomsday comes before Secret Wars.
We don't yet know exactly how the story will connect the two movies.
9. Wolverine and Deadpool Are Still a Big Question
The X-Men connection naturally brings up another question.
What about Wolverine and Deadpool?
Hugh Jackman has already returned as Wolverine in the MCU through Deadpool & Wolverine, and recent D23 coverage has added more fuel to speculation around future appearances.
However, we should be careful here.
Unless Marvel officially confirms a character's appearance, it is better not to treat rumors as fact.
That is especially important with a movie this secretive.
10. What We Still Don't Know
Even with the new footage, Marvel is keeping plenty of details hidden.
We still don't know exactly:
- Why the different universes are colliding
- How the X-Men enter the main conflict
- What Doom actually wants
- How the Sentinels fit into his plan
- Which characters will survive
- How Doomsday will lead into Secret Wars
And honestly, keeping some of this secret is probably a good thing.
There's still more than enough information to get excited about without knowing the entire plot.
What Does the D23 Footage Mean for the MCU?
The biggest takeaway is that Marvel is finally bringing several different parts of its movie history together.
The older X-Men are returning.
The Fantastic Four are involved.
The Avengers are facing Doctor Doom.
And Marvel is already preparing a new generation of X-Men for 2028.
That's a lot happening in one movie.
It also explains why Avengers: Doomsday is becoming one of the most talked-about Marvel projects ahead of its December release.
Final Thoughts
The new Avengers: Doomsday footage gives us a much clearer picture of what Marvel is planning.
This isn't simply another Avengers team-up.
It's a collision between different Marvel eras and different universes.
The return of the original X-Men is especially important, while Doctor Doom looks set to be the character at the center of the conflict.
And with a completely new X-Men cast now announced for 2028, Marvel seems to be preparing for a major change in the MCU.
For now, though, the biggest question remains:
How do all these characters end up facing Doctor Doom together?
We'll probably have to wait until Avengers: Doomsday arrives on December 18, 2026 to find out.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Avengers: Doomsday releasing?
Avengers: Doomsday is currently scheduled to arrive in theaters on December 18, 2026.
Are the original X-Men in Avengers: Doomsday?
Yes. Several actors from the original X-Men movies are returning, including Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, James Marsden, Kelsey Grammer and Rebecca Romijn.
Who is playing Doctor Doom?
Robert Downey Jr. is playing Victor von Doom, also known as Doctor Doom.
Are the Fantastic Four in Avengers: Doomsday?
Yes. Members of the Fantastic Four are part of the movie's large ensemble cast.
When is the new X-Men movie coming out?
Marvel's new X-Men movie is currently scheduled for May 5, 2028.
Who is playing Jean Grey in the new X-Men movie?
Sadie Sink has been announced as Jean Grey.
