Marvel Studios unveils extensive Doomsday panel at Comic-Con with new cast announcements

Marvel Studios delivered its most elaborate Comic-Con presentation to date, surprising the roughly 7,000-person audience with a hidden secondary stage that brought out actors from the upcoming Thunderbolts film and the early-2000s X-Men movies. After brief introductions, the performers walked through the hall, greeting fans before joining the main stage, which already featured Pedro Pascal, Chris Evans, Hayley Atwell and Robert Downey Jr.

The panel announced several key casting decisions. David Jonsson, known for his role in Alien: Romulus, will portray the son of T’Challa in Black Panther III, scheduled for release on Dec. 15, 2028, taking on the Black Panther mantle. Ryan Gosling was confirmed to play Ghost Rider in a new film, while Shawn Levy will direct a 2028 project that combines Deadpool, Wolverine and Gosling’s Star Wars-style Starfighter concept.

Actor Ryan Reynolds, absent from an earlier Apple TV presentation of his film Mayday, appeared in costume as a fan character named “Ricky” but was recognized as Deadpool. He asked whether production on the Doomsday sequel had begun, prompting a brief exchange with Downey Jr., who replied, “It’s in the can, bro. Look around you. Did you bump your head?”

The event followed a Monday trailer release for Doomsday that generated high view counts but mixed reactions. Marvel used the panel to showcase additional footage, elaborate lighting, music and costume giveaways, including Doctor Doom masks and capes for attendees. An extended reel presented a more detailed look at the film’s premise, featuring a scene where Victor (Doom) confronts Richards and summons Sentinel robots.

Kevin Feige opened the session by acknowledging the comic-book origins of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, thanking outgoing publishing editor C.B. Cebulski and welcoming new chief Stephen Wacker. He emphasized that the comics are the foundation for Marvel’s movies, TV shows and animation.

“Without the comics, no MCU, no movies, no TV shows, no animation,” Feige said.