MCU fans are convinced that Marvel has used clever editing to hide characters from a specific shot in the new Avengers: Doomsday trailer.
Yesterday’s grand reveal of the first proper Avengers: Doomsday trailer brought us our first look at Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom in action, and several superhero teams coming together to stop him.
But is everything as it seems? Marvel is known for editing trailer footage to misdirect audiences — a stunt it pulled with various past Avengers movies, as well as Thunderbolts*/The New Avengers, and something that fans strongly suspect has happened again for Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
Now, the Avengers: Doomsday trailer is under the spotlight — and fans seem convinced that its shot of the Avengers, New Avengers and Fantastic Four meeting has several spaces left empty for other characters. But who?
The most popular theory here is Doctor Doom himself, as many fans believe that the character will be introduced at first as something of a mystery. With characters from across the multiverse colliding, Doom could easily portray himself as another hero — before betraying the Avengers when he has them exactly where he wants them.
But there are other candidates, whose roles have so far been kept entirely mysterious. We know Loki is in the film, though his role is unclear. Surely, he and Thor will have to reunite at some point — and perhaps Marvel wants to keep this reunion under wraps. Or what about another unannounced character that Marvel is keeping a secret? Spider-Man, perhaps, to not spoil anything from Brand New Day? Doctor Strange? Captain Marvel? The Eternals?!
Why Were Doctor Doom & Steve Rogers Removed?
They definitely removed Doctor Doom and Steve Rogers from this shot in the trailer.
This is the moment where everyone assembles before heading to the X-Mansion.
That’s where it’ll be revealed that Doctor Doom isn’t on their side. pic.twitter.com/zkPihD8MJz
— Marvel Mania (@Sksj002) July 20, 2026
you can literally see where they edited out Dr Doom in the Avengers trailer 😭 pic.twitter.com/1Zb1IzqEF5
— the great buffoon (@GreatestBuffoon) July 21, 2026
PORRA MARVEL KKKKKKK TU TIROU O DOOM DESSA CENA E DEIXOU UM PUTA BURACO ENTRE O QUARTETO FANTÁSTICO https://t.co/cjTXXPNBCk pic.twitter.com/Y7w5uzUjMj
— Gaburieru ‼️‼️ (@Gabriel74057920) July 20, 2026
Fans are suspicious, not least because Marvel deliberately edited a specific scene in the trailer for Spider-Man: No Way Home to hide Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire. Other examples of sneaky Marvel trailer edits include an infamous shot in the Avengers: Infinity War trailer that features the Hulk striding into battle (something that never occurs in the movie) and tweaks to remove the Infinity Stones from Thanos’ gauntlet, in order to hide how powerful the villain had become.
Various changes were also made to the appearance of characters in Avengers: Endgame trailers (for example showing Captain America with an unbroken shield, to hide the fact it gets damaged). Thunderbolts*/New Avengers trailers were also edited to insert more of a specific character, to hide their early demise in the final film.
Yesterday’s trailer has also sparked another popular theory: that the Steve Rogers within it (bearded, with long hair) is not the same Steve Rogers we saw living happily with a baby (unbearded, with short hair) in a previous teaser. Instead, like Doom, this evil Steve Rogers could be revealed as an enemy too — and the appearance of Hydra Cap would certainly allow Chris Evans to flex his muscles before departing the MCU again.
Finally, speaking of Doom, we also have a new Avengers: Doomsday poster that teases Doctor Doom’s motivation in the story.
Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters December 18, 2026. Here’s the official synopsis:
“Universes collide and the Multiverse Saga begins its final chapter in Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Doomsday,” the movie’s newly-revealed description reads. “Beloved heroes from three distinct universes will be set on a deadly collision course and ultimately face an existential threat unlike anything they’ve ever encountered. This epic film will lay the foundation for the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.”
Image: YouTube.
Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social


