Marvel Studios Announces Next “Avengers” Films at San Diego Comic-Con

Marvel Studios made a triumphant return to San Diego Comic-Con with an exciting panel that revealed news about upcoming films and included surprise guests. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige announced that the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has now surpassed $30 billion in box-office earnings, thanks to the success of the recently released “Deadpool & Wolverine” movie.

One of the biggest surprises of the panel was the news that Robert Downey Jr. will be returning to Marvel’s films, but not as Iron Man. He will be playing the villain Victor Von Doom, also known as Doctor Doom, in one of the upcoming “Avengers” movies. This unexpected casting choice has created a buzz among fans, who are eagerly anticipating Downey Jr.’s portrayal of the iconic Marvel villain.

Feige also unveiled the titles of the next two “Avengers” films: “Avengers: Secret Wars” and “Avengers: Doomsday.” These films will continue the epic superhero team-up series and will be directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, who successfully guided the “Avengers” franchise through its previous installments.

The panel introduced several actors who will be appearing in the upcoming “Avengers” movies. The cast of “Captain America: Brave New World” took the stage first, with Tim Blake Nelson, Danny Rameriez, Giancarlo Esposito, and Anthony Mackie teasing details about the film. Esposito revealed that he will be playing the villain Seth Voelker, also known as Sidewinder. A scene from the movie was shown, featuring Mackie’s Sam Wilson and Ford’s President Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, who is hoping to rebuild the Avengers.

Another film teased at the panel was “Thunderbolts,” which features Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, and David Harbour. The cast surprised fans with a short clip from the movie, generating even more excitement for its release in May 2025.

Lastly, the panel revealed details about “The Fantastic Four,” which will star Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach. The film is set to begin filming in London next week and will hit theaters in July 2025.

Marvel’s presence at Comic-Con this year has been a resounding success, with “Deadpool & Wolverine” breaking records and generating a tremendous amount of buzz. The film’s Thursday preview screenings raked in an estimated $38.5 million, setting a new record for an R-rated movie. This success has revitalized Marvel’s box-office performance, following a slump in late 2023 with the release of “The Marvels.”

Overall, Marvel fans have a lot to look forward to in the coming years, with an exciting lineup of “Avengers” movies and other superhero films on the horizon. The return of Robert Downey Jr. and the introduction of new characters and storylines are sure to keep audiences captivated and eager for more.