Marvel Studios brought its superhero campaign to the baseball diamond, unveiling a new preview of Avengers: Doomsday during Game 1 of the 2026 World Series. The footage features Major League Baseball stars Bryce Harper, Freddie Freeman, Jacob Misiorowski, Junior Caminero and Randy Arozarena alongside glimpses of Chris Evans as Steve Rogers, Chris Hemsworth as Thor and Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom. With the Fantastic Four joining the Avengers and other returning heroes, the preview offers another look at the multiverse conflict heading to theatres on December 18, 2026.
The preview opens at a baseball stadium, where players look towards a giant green Avengers logo appearing in the sky. The action then shifts to Earth-828, the alternate reality introduced in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, where Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards, also known as Mister Fantastic, takes the mound for a ceremonial first pitch.
His elastic powers make the delivery anything but ordinary. The sequence also brings Joseph Quinn’s Johnny Storm, the Human Torch, into the baseball setting as the real MLB players watch the action unfold. By placing Marvel characters alongside recognisable sporting figures, the promotional footage connects the film’s fictional universe with a major real-world sporting event.
The tone changes when Doctor Doom appears above the stadium. His arrival shifts the focus from the playful baseball crossover to the threat facing the heroes, reinforcing the central conflict of the upcoming film.
One of the preview’s lighter moments features Paul Rudd’s Scott Lang, better known as Ant-Man, and Steve Rogers. Scott casually addresses Steve as “Cap” before realising that Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson, the current Captain America, is standing nearby. Scott immediately attempts to correct himself, creating an awkward exchange that draws humour from the changing identity of the superhero mantle.
The moment acknowledges a significant transition in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Steve Rogers was once the face of Captain America, but Sam Wilson now carries the shield. With Steve back in the picture, even a casual conversation becomes a reminder of the legacy attached to the title.
For audiences who watched Steve’s story reach an emotional conclusion in Avengers: Endgame, his return raises an important question: what brings him back, and what role will he play in the battle against Doctor Doom? The preview does not reveal the circumstances behind his return, leaving his place in the coming conflict open to speculation.
The footage also features Thor questioning Steve about his ability to wield Mjölnir, the enchanted hammer, years after the events of Avengers: Endgame.
Steve lifting the weapon was one of the earlier film’s defining moments, confirming that he was worthy of its power. Thor’s renewed interest brings that scene back into focus, although the preview offers no explanation for why Steve can still wield the hammer.
Rather than providing an answer, the exchange leaves audiences with another unresolved question surrounding Steve’s return. It also reconnects Avengers: Doomsday with one of the memorable moments from Avengers: Endgame, reinforcing the continuity between the films.
Directed by Anthony Russo and Joe Russo, the filmmakers behind Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, Avengers: Doomsday brings heroes from different realities together against a common threat.
The crossover connects Earth-616, Earth-828 and Earth-10005, bringing together the worlds of the Avengers, the Fantastic Four and the X-Men. At the centre of the conflict is Robert Downey Jr.’s Victor von Doom, better known as Doctor Doom. His casting marks a significant change for Downey, who previously became one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s defining figures through his portrayal of Tony Stark, also known as Iron Man.
The World Series preview offers more than a collection of familiar faces. Reed Richards’ extraordinary first pitch introduces the Fantastic Four’s world, Ant-Man’s awkward exchange acknowledges Sam Wilson’s position as Captain America, and Thor’s question brings an unresolved moment from Avengers: Endgame back into focus. Doctor Doom’s appearance connects these individual moments to the larger conflict awaiting the heroes.
With Avengers: Doomsday scheduled to arrive in theatres on December 18, 2026, the preview builds anticipation for a crossover that brings together characters from across Marvel’s cinematic history. While the footage leaves several questions unanswered, it offers another glimpse of the heroes and realities converging around Doctor Doom.
