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Avengers: Doomsday — Fans Are Hyped, Critics Are Skeptical

The first trailer for the massive Marvel crossover has fans nostalgic for the old gang, but critics and a star's bizarre filming story hint at a bumpy road to the multiverse's end.

3 min read
Avengers Doomsday trailer screenshot Robert Downey Jr Doctor Doom
Photo via PMC
Fans React
The story: Avengers: Doomsday
Reactions still coming in · Updated Jul 25, 2026
I did the entire film in isolation. Lots of green screen, face replacement. They even gave characters fake names. I don’t know who I was acting with half the time.
Alan Cumming, actor

The first trailer for Avengers: Doomsday has officially landed, and the internet went into full meltdown over the star-studded clash that brings back familiar faces and introduces a new, iconic threat. The immediate fan reaction is a tidal wave of nostalgia and excitement, but that enthusiasm is tempered by a chorus of skepticism from critics and a bizarre behind-the-scenes account from one of its stars.

The Nostalgia Is Palpable

For a vast number of viewers, the trailer delivered exactly what they wanted: a reunion.

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One user wrote, "Thor taking center stage as a leader after being goofy is so welcomed." This sentiment was echoed by another viewer who said, "Love it that Thor is basically the defacto leader of the heroes here, given he's the only OG Avenger active."

The sheer scale of the crossover itself became a punchline, with a fan online posting, "The most expensive meet and greet in cinematic history." The humor in the trailer also landed, with one post noting, "Thor did second verification mode on that Mjolnir test."

The casting of Downey Jr. as Victor Von Doom generated some of the most creative and excited responses. A fan theorized, "peter parker’s gonna see doom’s face and need 40 years of multiversal therapy," while another joked, "RDJ as Dr.Doom: I'm the dude playin' the dude, disguised as another dude!"

Behind the Green Screen Curtain

While fans buzzed over the on-screen spectacle, a very different story emerged from actor Alan Cumming. In an interview, he described an alienating and disconnected filming process. "I did the entire film in isolation," Cumming said. "Lots of green screen, face replacement. They even gave characters fake names. I don’t know who I was acting with half the time."

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This account dovetails with concerns raised by critics like MCU expert William Goodman, who pointed to visible issues in the trailer itself. "I definitely think it’s taken a while to get this trailer out because the team is still working on VFX shots, and that’s even apparent here in moments like Namor flying," Goodman noted. He added bluntly, "Sadly, this is the corner they’ve backed themselves into..."

Why the Divided Reaction?

The split in reactions seems to stem from what different groups are looking at. Fans are reacting to icons and moments—Cap's shield, Thor's hammer, RDJ's new voice. The emotional payoff of seeing these characters together again is powerful and immediate.

Critics and industry observers, however, are looking at the film as a product. They see the logistical nightmare of scheduling dozens of A-list stars, the pressure to course-correct the Multiverse Saga, and the technical seams showing in the visual effects. Goodman's critique of introducing Doctor Doom so late encapsulates this: "he’s god-tier when executed correctly, but bringing him into the proceedings this late in the game, combined with the Robert Downey Jr. of it all, felt like reheated nachos even before we got this trailer."

The timing has also created an unfavorable contrast.

Some audience members are picking up on this tension, with posts that capture the mixed feelings. One user observed, "You either die a hero, or you live long enough to demand $100 million to play the villain," while another simply stated, "I know everybody is excited about the new Avengers: Doomsday trailer but here’s the thing…" leaving the concern unspoken but palpable.

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Where the Conversation Is Headed

The initial wave of pure hype is now giving way to a more nuanced discussion. The Avengers: Doomsday fan reactions show a fandom eager to love this movie, holding onto the joy of the trailer's best moments. Yet, the underlying questions about production quality, narrative coherence, and superhero fatigue aren't going away. The conversation is no longer just about whether the film will be fun—it's about whether it can be good enough to justify its own existence and massive scale. Marvel has the nostalgia and the stars to guarantee a huge opening, but Cumming's green room and Goodman's reheated nachos are now part of the story, too.

The Reactions

  1. 1
    A viewer
    2026-07-20

    The most expensive meet and greet in cinematic history

  2. 2
    A viewer
    2026-07-20

    Thor taking center stage as a leader after being goofy is so welcomed

  3. 3
    A viewer
    2026-07-20

    peter parker’s gonna see doom’s face and need 40 years of multiversal therapy😭💀

  4. 4
    A viewer
    2026-07-21

    You either die a hero, or you live long enough to demand $100 million to play the villain.

  5. 5
    William Goodman
    MCU Expert · interview

    Even I have to admit, there’s a bit of a hydrogen bomb-vs.-coughing baby dynamic at play here; dropping this trailer after this past weekend, when everyone is still rightfully energized by The Odyssey , was definitely a choice.

  6. 6
    William Goodman
    MCU Expert · interview

    he’s god-tier when executed correctly, but bringing him into the proceedings this late in the game, combined with the Robert Downey Jr. of it all, felt like reheated nachos even before we got this trailer.

  7. 7
    A viewer
    2026-07-20

    Avengers: Doomsday: Marvel releases the first trailer for Avengers: Doomsday, featuring Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom. Reactions are mixed, with excitement about the star-packed cast and skepticism about the film's quality and necessity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Alan Cumming say about filming Avengers: Doomsday?

Alan Cumming revealed he shot his entire role in complete isolation, using green screens and face replacement technology. He stated that characters were given fake names and he often didn't know who he was acting against, highlighting a potentially disjointed production process.

Why are some critics skeptical of Avengers: Doomsday?

Critics point to seemingly unfinished visual effects in the trailer, the rushed feeling of introducing a major villain like Doctor Doom late in the Multiverse Saga, and the unfortunate timing of the trailer's release following the highly-praised film 'The Odyssey,' which invited unfavorable comparisons.

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