First Look at Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, and Chris Hemsworth Behind the Scenes of ‘Avengers: Doomsday’

Marvel’s rollout for ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ has taken a noticeably international turn this week, with the studio choosing an unexpected stage to connect with fans ahead of the film’s December release. Rather than debuting new footage at a major American convention, Marvel Studios opted for the Shanghai Expo as the site for its first real-world look at physical sets and props built for the movie, giving fans in China an early glimpse ahead of the rest of the world.

That Shanghai presence has already produced a string of viral moments, from leaked concept art to close-up shots of production props that sent fans into a frenzy trying to decode hidden plot details. Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige was reportedly on hand for the event, further fueling speculation that something bigger than props and posters might be on the way for the packed crowd in attendance.

That something turned out to be personal. A clip, sourced from WaynePM, shows Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, and Chris Hemsworth recording a behind-the-scenes video message directed at fans in China, with the trio praising the audience’s enthusiasm and telling them they are the best.

The gesture lines up with just how central these three stars remain to the film’s identity, even years removed from the roles that originally made them household names. Chris Evans returns as Steve Rogers after his character’s definitive ending in Avengers: Endgame, with the actor previously saying he would only come back if the story gave him a genuinely good reason to do so. Joe Russo has said the story the team developed gave both Downey and Evans integral roles worth bringing them back for.

Downey himself now plays Doctor Doom rather than Iron Man, narrating portions of the film’s trailer in a distinctly accented voice as he prepares to invade the multiverse. Footage shown at CinemaCon earlier this year revealed a tense confrontation between Doom and Hemsworth’s Thor, with Doom catching Thor’s hammer bare-handed before Evans makes his surprise return to reunite with his old teammate.

Fan reaction to the Shanghai clip has mirrored the excitement seen throughout the film’s rollout so far. Combined teaser campaigns for the movie have already generated more than a billion views online, positioning Doomsday as a strong contender to be the top-grossing film of the year. The trio’s message adds a more personal touch to that momentum, showing the cast leaning into international promotion well ahead of the film’s stateside marketing push.

‘Avengers: Doomsday’ is directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, marking their return to the franchise after Avengers: Endgame, and features an ensemble that spans the MCU, the X-Men films, and the Fantastic Four. The movie hits theaters on December 18, and with Marvel now actively courting global audiences through moments like this one in Shanghai, the countdown to release is clearly entering a much louder phase.

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