Marvel's upcoming blockbuster Avengers: Doomsday, which marks Robert Downey Jr's return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as Doctor Doom, has become the subject of fake leaks following a presentation at Disney's D23 convention on 31 August.
A sizzle reel shown at the event featured old quotes from past MCU films and behind-the-scenes footage of directors the Russo brothers, but no actual clips from the new movie. Despite this, a leak of the reel has circulated online, accompanied by numerous photoshopped images and fabricated quotes on social media.
In a pre-recorded clip from the London set, the Russos described the film as “bigger than anything we have ever done” and “a big one for us”, promising to bring together many favourite heroes against a great threat. Ant-Man actor Paul Rudd added that the cast is surrounded by “jaw-dropping sets and some truly incredible talent”.
Downey Jr's return comes seven years after Avengers: Endgame, where his character Iron Man died. The bumper cast includes returning stars Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Anthony Mackie (Falcon/Captain America), Sebastian Stan (Bucky Barnes), Tom Hiddleston (Loki) and Letitia Wright (Shuri). Several X-Men actors, such as Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart, James Marsden and Rebecca Romijn, will also appear, following Marvel's acquisition of Fox in 2019.
Notably absent is Chris Evans, who played Captain America. He told ScreenRant he is “sad to be away” from his former co-stars, adding: “It’s sad to not be back with the band… it’s going to be that much harder when it comes out, and you feel like you weren’t invited to the party.”
