Marvel Studios President Says Fans Misremember Thanos' Build-Up Ahead of Avengers: Doomsday

Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige used his San Diego Comic-Con appearance on Saturday to outline the next phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, highlighting the upcoming crossover event "Avengers: Doomsday." He addressed fan comparisons between the narrative set-up for the new film and the build-up to the earlier "Infinity War" and "Endgame" movies. Feige said that many fans recall Thanos’ pre-Infinity War appearances as more significant than they actually were, noting the villain’s brief cameo moments, such as sitting on a chair and briefly pulling out a gauntlet. > "The ‘Thanos build-up’ has built up in people’s heads over the years," Feige said, adding that the character’s limited screen time was often the subject of internet jokes. He explained that "Doomsday" will serve as a proper introduction to Doctor Victor von Doom, similar to how "Infinity War" functioned for Thanos. > "When we got to ‘Infinity War,’ we said, ‘This is really the introduction of Thanos to people.’ That’s how that movie was built. That’s what we’re doing with Doom. ‘Doomsday’ is an introduction and the story of Doom," Feige said. The film is intended to appeal both to comic-book readers familiar with the character and to viewers encountering him for the first time. Robert Downey Jr. will portray Victor von Doom, marking his return to the MCU after a decade as Tony Stark. "Doomsday" is scheduled for release on Dec. 18.