SerpApi.Org
The Fantastic Four are back in search headlines this week following the release of the first full trailer for "Avengers: Doomsday," which brings Marvel's First Family together with the Avengers and X-Men.
Marvel Studios released the trailer on YouTube on Monday, July 20, giving viewers their first major look at the superhero crossover ahead of its December theatrical release. The footage also offers the first glimpse of Robert Downey Jr. as Victor von Doom, better known as Doctor Doom.
All four principal stars of "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" are returning for "Doomsday." Pedro Pascal reprises his role as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, alongside Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing.
They join a sprawling ensemble that includes returning Avengers, Wakandan heroes and characters from the "X-Men" movies. Anthony and Joe Russo, who previously directed "Avengers: Infinity War" and "Avengers: Endgame," are directing the new film.
The Fantastic Four buzz began building one day before the trailer arrived. Since August 2025, the team's official social-media account had repeatedly posted the same weekly clip of Reed Richards discussing the family's Sunday dinner tradition.
"We make a point to do family dinner every week," Reed says in the clip. "Sunday at seven, on the dot, no matter what."
On Sunday, July 19, that familiar post suddenly changed. The footage glitched to black before Sue Storm could be heard asking, "How long do we have left?"
"Not long," Reed replied.
It marked the first major alteration to the recurring social-media post and was widely interpreted as a warning that the Fantastic Four were about to face a dangerous new threat.
The crossover continues a storyline introduced in "The Fantastic Four: First Steps," which opened in theaters in 2025. The movie's post-credits sequence briefly teased Doctor Doom, establishing a connection between the villain and the Fantastic Four before "Doomsday."
Downey previously played Tony Stark/Iron Man throughout the Marvel Cinematic Universe, concluding that role in 2019's "Avengers: Endgame." His casting as Doctor Doom therefore represents a major shift, although Marvel has not yet explained whether the new character has any connection to Stark.
The trailer shows the Fantastic Four crossing paths with heroes from three different universes, but it does not reveal how large a role Reed, Sue, Johnny or Ben will have in the finished film. Marvel's official synopsis says the characters will be placed on a "deadly collision course" while confronting an existential threat.
"Avengers: Doomsday" is scheduled to open in theaters on Friday, Dec. 18, 2026.
