Avengers unite: Robert Downey Jr. and Marvel legends show up for Thunderbolts screening

The ‘new Avengers’ Thunderbolts* have officially entered the MCU and received a warm welcome from their upcoming threat, Doctor Doom, played by Robert Downey Jr., along with a bunch of Marvel icons who showed up to celebrate the movie’s successful premiere. According to Variety, the Jake Schreier directorial grossed over $31.5 million on Friday in its domestic run, including preview screenings from 4,330 theatres. Earlier, Schreier confirmed that his group of misfits is set to join the 2026 movie lineup. Thunderbolts* brings together a team of antiheroes, led by Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), John Walker (Wyatt Russell), and Red Guardian (David Harbour). There are plenty of new faces as well, and Downey, who left the MCU after Endgame in 2019, is now set to return as main antagonist next year.

Downey Jr. shared a photo of himself on Instagram with Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Anthony Mackie (Captain America), Vanessa Kirby, and other stars after they enjoyed a special screening of Thunderbolts*. “So cool, fresh and deep”, the former Tony Stark, aka Iron Man, gushed, congratulating the new cast. “Just wow!!! Dinner and a show with the Old Avengers,” he wrote. Back in April, Marvel confirmed the lineup of Avengers: Doomsday, though half of the 60-member roster will be unveiled later. Those whose names are already official joined the success party, including Paul Rudd (Ant-Man), Anthony Mackie, and Winston Duke (M’Baku from Black Panther). Special attention was also on Marvel newcomer Simu Liu (Shang-Chi). Meanwhile, Channing Tatum, alongside upcoming Fantastic Four stars Vanessa Kirby and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, also graced the party.

Also Read |  Thunderbolts* director confirms major Doomsday theory in post-credit scene, explains why shocking death was important

 

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Earlier, there was a lot of buzz regarding the leaked post-credit scene of Thunderbolts*, which was later confirmed to be shot for Marvel’s next biggest project for 2026, bringing on board the cast of Avengers, Thunderbolts*, X-Men, and its upcoming first Marvel family, the Fantastic Four. During the final sequence of Thunderbolts, we see our new superheroes, who have successfully disguised themselves as the new Avengers, watching Val, aka Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, take credit for saving the country from Void, aka Pullman’s alter ego. While they all spend some normal time, talking and doing dishes, a spaceship enters showing the arrival of the Fantastic Four.

Also Read | Thunderbolts* movie review: Rag-tag bunch of antiheroes almost bring back Marvel glory days

However, according to Jake Schreier, who spoke to EW recently, “The scene was actually filmed for the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday.” So yes, he did confirm a few Reddit theories floating around since the post-credit scene went viral. According to him, the final scene was shot at the very last moment. “I was very happy to be there and lucky to be there,” Schreier said. “It was so fun to see your characters go off into this bigger context. We’ve been living in our own contained world, but it was really fun to see them there.”