The New Avengers Unite

Marvel fans, rejoice! The stars of Avengers: Doomsday — including Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, and Simu Liu — gathered for an epic Thunderbolts screening, blending nostalgia with fresh energy for the next chapter of the MCU. Here’s everything you need to know about this superhero-filled night and what it means for The New Avengers era.  

The New Avengers Assemble for Thunderbolts Screening

On May 2, 2025, Robert Downey Jr. (aka Iron Man turned Doctor Doom) shared a photo of himself alongside Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Simu Liu (Shang-Chi), Paul Rudd (Ant-Man), and other MCU heavyweights at a Thunderbolts watch party. The group, dubbed “the Old Avengers” by Downey, celebrated Marvel’s latest film with dinner and camaraderie, sparking excitement for Avengers: Doomsday .  


The Instagram post featured a mix of veteran heroes and newcomers:  

- Anthony Mackie (Captain America)  

- Winston Duke (M’Baku)  

- Vanessa Kirby and Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Sue Storm and The Thing from Fantastic Four: First Steps)  

- Channing Tatum (Gambit, fresh off Deadpool & Wolverine)  


Downey’s caption, “Dinner and a show with the Old Avengers… So cool, fresh, and deep”, hinted at the evolving dynamics of the MCU, where legacy characters meet new faces .  

Why This Watch Party Matters

This event wasn’t just a casual hangout — it’s a strategic move by Marvel to bridge Thunderbolts with Avengers: Doomsday. Here’s how:  


1. Introducing the New Avengers  

   While Downey’s “Old Avengers” label nods to fan favorites like Thor and Ant-Man, the Thunderbolts cast — including Florence Pugh (Yelena Belova), Sebastian Stan (Bucky Barnes), and Wyatt Russell (U.S. Agent) — represents The New Avengers. These antiheroes, tasked with dangerous missions, will play pivotal roles in Doomsday .  


2. Doctor Doom’s Grand Return  

   Downey’s shift from Iron Man to Doctor Doom marks one of the MCU’s boldest twists. Co-director Joe Russo praised Downey’s ability to bring depth to the iconic villain, who’ll clash with heroes across timelines in Doomsday .  


3. Multiverse Mayhem Ahead  

   The party also included actors from Fantastic Four: First Steps and Fox’s X-Men (like Patrick Stewart’s Professor X and Kelsey Grammer’s Beast), teasing a crossover of epic proportions. Doomsday will unite heroes from multiple universes to battle Doctor Doom, setting the stage for Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027 .  

Thunderbolts: A Stepping Stone for Marvel’s Future

Released on May 2, 2025, Thunderbolts follows a ragtag team of antiheroes — including Red Guardian (David Harbour) and Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen) — on a high-stakes mission. Early reviews praise its darker tone and character-driven drama, calling it a “significant step-up” from recent MCU films .  


But the real intrigue lies in how Thunderbolts ties into Doomsday. While some fans worry the Doomsday cast list “spoils” who survives Thunderbolts, insiders suggest alternate timelines could explain character reappearances. For example, Loki might recruit variants of fallen heroes, keeping the stakes high without undercutting Thunderbolts’ emotional impact .  

Avengers: Doomsday – What We Know So Far

Slated for May 1, 2026, Avengers: Doomsday is directed by the Russo Brothers and features the largest MCU cast yet:  

- Original Avengers: Thor, Captain America, Ant-Man  

- New Avengers: Shang-Chi, Yelena Belova, U.S. Agent  

- Fantastic Four: Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), Human Torch (Joseph Quinn)  

- X-Men: Professor X, Magneto (Ian McKellen), Cyclops (James Marsden)  


The plot will center on Doctor Doom’s multiverse-threatening plans, requiring heroes from every corner of the MCU to unite. Notably, Tom Holland’s Spider-Man is confirmed to appear, facing emotional turmoil when confronting Doom’s Iron Man-like persona .  

Marvel’s Expanding Universe: What’s Next

1. Fantastic Four: First Steps (July 25, 2025)  

   This film introduces Marvel’s first family, with Kirby and Moss-Bachrach’s roles confirmed to cross over into Doomsday .  


2. Avengers: Secret Wars (May 7, 2027)  

   The Russo Brothers’ follow-up to *Doomsday* will likely explore the aftermath of multiverse collisions, with rumors of Chris Evans returning in a mystery role .  


3. More X-Men Integration 

   With Alan Cumming’s Nightcrawler and Rebecca Romijn’s Mystique joining the MCU, expect deeper ties between mutant storylines and Avengers missions .  

Why Fans Should Be Excited

Nostalgia Meets Innovation: The return of Downey and Fox’s X-Men blends beloved legacies with fresh narratives.  

- Darker, Complex Villains: Doctor Doom’s layered motives promise a morally grey conflict, unlike Thanos’ straightforward quest .  

- Team-Up Spectacle: From Wakanda’s warriors to multiverse mutants, Doomsday delivers the crossover event fans have waited for.  

Final Thoughts

Robert Downey Jr.’s Thunderbolts watch party wasn’t just a fun night out — it was a symbol of Marvel’s ambitious future. With The New Avengers stepping into the spotlight and Doctor Doom looming as a terrifying threat, Avengers: Doomsday* is poised to redefine superhero storytelling.