Marvel fans all over the world got their wish when the studio finally unveiled the brand new Avengers: Doomsday trailer. The footage had been sought after for a very long time, specifically as it featured the very first in-action look at Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom. Needless to say, it didn't disappoint.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe's next Avengers movie showcases the arrival of the well-documented Fantastic Four villain, who has replaced Kang the Conqueror as the Multiverse Saga's primary villain. Earth's Mightiest Heroes will look to stop the multiverse itself from complete destruction and Doom will be standing in their way - just as Thanos did in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.
There is a lot of discussion as to whether the heroes will be able to stop him as they did Thanos. The Mad Titan provided them with their toughest battle to date. Avengers: Doomsday, however, confirms that the toughest of them all is set to come.
Doctor Doom just did what Thanos never could in Avengers: Doomsday trailer
We had heard the rumors of Thor's battle with Doctor Doom long before the Avengers: Doomsday trailer surfaced online. The footage had previously been screened at CinemaCon in April, with Marvel fans in attendance revealing that the two titans of the MCU would square off in the upcoming movie. And now, we got to see it for ourselves in a moment that can only be described as jaw-dropping.
The moment sees Thor rush towards Victor von Doom with his all-powerful axe Strombreaker, only for Doom to stop him in his tracks. The axe doesn't reach him, as a touch from Doom's fingers prevents any kind of contact, with his other-worldly powers holding both Stormbreaker and the might of Thor back. With two fingers.

For all of Thanos' might, the Infinity Stones-powered Titan wasn't able to prevent the God of Thunder from landing two separate blows from Stormbreaker across the events of the two previous movies. At his most-powerful, the purple villain was momentarily stopped by the axe, which Thor sent plummeting into his chest. The blade created lasting damage, which significantly impacted Thanos' last days - despite his victory. He was durable enough to withstand the blow - infamously telling Thor that he should have "gone for the head" - before still managing to snap his fingers and wipe out half of the universe. And then, in retaliation, Thor managed to use the axe to cut off Thanos' head days later.
That won't be a possibility here. By showing us Thor battle Doctor Doom right out of the gate, Marvel is making a statement - one that Thir's own monologue in the trailer drives home. The God of Thunder is frightened of Doctor Doom, and we should be too. There's no misreading that, and there's no other way of interpreting it: Avengers: Doomsday is actively telling is that Doom is stronger, more powerful, and deadlier than Thanos.
There's been a long-standing debate in Marvel Comics as to which one of the two is more powerful. While Thanos is more physically durable and formidable when it comes to hand-to-hand combat, Doom's intellect and powers make him a much more daunting threat. And we've all seen those viral comic panels from Secret Wars No. 8 in which a version of Doom - God Emperor Doom - pulls out Thanos' own spine in a matter of seconds.
As Thanos himself would say: "Dread it. Run from it. Destiny still arrives all the same." For the Avengers, Doomsday is that destiny and it's coming hard and fast.
Avengers: Doomsday arrives in movie theaters on December 18, 2026.
