Thor Is Not Thrilled: New ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Look Shows Steve Rogers Still Holding Mjolnir Years After ‘Endgame’
Few moments in the Marvel Cinematic Universe have aged as well as Steve Rogers lifting Mjolnir in ‘Avengers: Endgame.’ It was a payoff that fans had waited years for, and it’s been replayed, memed and dissected ever since. So it’s no surprise that Marvel keeps returning to the idea that Steve may still be worthy.
The latest example arrived in a preview that aired during Game 1 of the World Series, where most of the attention went to the Fantastic Four’s first pitch. A few seconds later, the footage cut to a quieter, more intimate beat between 2 of the original Avengers. Fans have been passing around stills ever since.
The new look at Steve Rogers and Thor in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ shows Chris Evans’ Steve holding Mjolnir on a high-rise balcony with a city skyline behind him. In the matching shot, Chris Hemsworth’s Thor looks off to the side with a stern expression. The scene appears to take place in what looks like New Avengers Tower, and it centers on a conversation about the former Captain America still being able to wield the hammer.
New look at Steve Rogers and Thor in ‘AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY.’ In theaters on December 18. https://t.co/QY7Sgx7RBd
— The Hollywood Handle (@HollywoodHandle) October 24, 2026
Thor appears bothered that Steve can still lift Mjolnir years after the events of ‘Endgame.’ One outlet described the exchange as a quick bit of hammer envy, which gives the moment a lighter tone. It’s a very Thor reaction to a very big question: why is a man who stepped away from the fight still worthy?
The preview doesn’t explain the reason. One report notes that the narrative explanation for why Steve holds the hammer, and the nature of the disruption in the sky that follows, may be addressed in future marketing. For now, it’s a character moment rather than a plot reveal.
New teaser for ‘AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY’. In theaters on December 18. https://t.co/gr47mK5Af7
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) October 24, 2026
The scene also echoes the first full trailer, which showed Thor approaching an off-screen figure who greets him with ‘Hey pal.’ Thor says it’s not possible and extends Mjolnir, a test that serves as a mirror to the moment in ‘Endgame’ when Steve first proved his worth. Fans interpreted it as a way to confirm it really is Steve rather than a clone or a variant.
That moment became one of the most talked-about shots of the trailer, with Steve calling the hammer to his hand. The new preview builds on it by showing the 2 men in a calmer setting, and it suggests the question of worthiness is a running thread.
Marvel has been careful with how it presents Steve’s comeback. The first teaser, released in December, showed him cradling an infant before a title card announced that Steve Rogers will return. Notably, it didn’t say Captain America, and Anthony Mackie has said in interviews that Steve is returning but not as Captain America.
The campaign has also teased a so-called Worthy Star logo that pairs Steve and Thor under a new emblem. That suggests the film is positioning them as a duo, and it adds fuel to speculation that the 2 will play a central role in the fight against Doctor Doom.
According to coverage of the trailer, the story follows Steve and Thor as they lead a team of heroes drawn from across the multiverse alongside the New Avengers and the Fantastic Four. That’s a big job, and it makes the Tower scene feel like a quiet moment before the storm. It also fits with Chris Evans’ own comments at Fan Expo Boston that the Russos love putting Steve through a difficult ordeal.
The same preview also contained a joke about Ant-Man mixing up who to call Cap, a glimpse of Sam Wilson’s Avengers team and a final shot of Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom. Together, the scenes paint a picture of a film that balances comedy with a very serious threat.
Marvel’s marketing push has been strong. Reports say ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ has driven pre-sales past $50 million ahead of its December 18 release, and the studio’s next trailer is rumored for mid-November. The film is directed by Anthony and Joe Russo and leads into ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’ on December 17, 2027.
For many fans, the Steve and Thor reunion is the emotional heart of the campaign. It’s the kind of moment that promises nostalgia without giving away the story.
Why do you think Steve Rogers can still wield Mjolnir in 'Avengers: Doomsday'?
Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!
