Two years ago, Marvel Studios shocked the world when it announced that Robert Downey Jr. was returning to the MCU… as a villain. Downey was playing Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday, out in 2026. The moment happened in Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con, and now, for the first time since that moment, Marvel is returning to Comic-Con. Which means we’ve got a pretty good guess as to what’s going to happen.
The Wrap reports that after skipping out on the 2025 iteration of the convention, Marvel Studios will hold one of its famous Saturday night panels on July 25 in Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con 2026. There’s no official word on what that panel will include, but a quick look at the release schedule makes it very, very obvious. Avengers: Doomsday is coming.
Though Marvel Studios has a vested interest in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, out a week later, the December 18 release of Doomsday is just about perfect timing for the July convention. Five months out from release is right around when you’d expect the marketing machine to really get rolling. So, just from experience, we expect not only for there to be extended footage played in the room but also potentially an online trailer release too. Whether or not that’s the first or second trailer, only time will tell, but it could very well end up being the first official footage released online.
Also, with several dozen stars set to appear in the movie, we’d imagine many of them could appear on stage too. And maybe Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige even announces a few names that haven’t been revealed in the film yet. Feige and his team love giving Comic-Con fans big surprises.
Then, the only other Marvel movie officially on the schedule after Doomsday is Avengers: Secret Wars, out on December 17, 2027. Considering that the film will feature much of the same cast, probably the same villain, and come from the same directors, we’d be surprised if that wasn’t addressed in some way, too.
And beyond that? Will Marvel reveal what some of those movies it has dated into 2029 are? It’s possible. We think, however, that the panel will be very, very heavy on Doomsday. And rightfully so. (Also of note, Marvel also has the D23 Expo to think about in August, so some reveals might be held until then.)
San Diego Comic-Con takes place from July 21-26, with the Marvel Studios panel expected on July 25. Avengers: Doomsday opens December 18.
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