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Avengers: Doomsday Trailer Has Some Fans Saying Marvel Should Have Built Up Towards Doctor Doom’s Appearance Like It Did for Thanos — but There’s a Clear Counterpoint
The trailer for Avengers: Doomsday has sparked debate among fans, with some arguing that Marvel Studios rushed Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom into the spotlight without the multi-film build-up given to previous villain Thanos. Critics suggest this reflects Marvel's scramble for a compelling antagonist after plans to feature Kang the Conqueror were abandoned, questioning whether audiences will feel the same anticipation they did before Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame. IGN writer Wesley Yin-Poole counters that plenty of iconic villains, including Darth Vader and Ultron, succeeded on screen without lengthy set-up, arguing the film's success will hinge on execution rather than prior teasing.
Doom has appeared only once before, in a brief, menacing cameo at the end of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, compared with Thanos's gradual introduction across four films from 2012 to 2018. Despite the criticism, the trailer has generated strong early ticket sales and high viewing numbers, and the writer notes Avengers: Doomsday, out this December, may itself serve as an extended introduction to the character ahead of future instalments.
In short
- Some fans feel Doctor Doom's MCU debut lacks Thanos-style build-up
- Doom previously appeared only briefly in Fantastic Four: First Steps
- Trailer still drew strong advance ticket sales and huge views
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
These fans note that Thanos's four-film introduction gave audiences time to understand his motivations and threat, building genuine anticipation for the climactic confrontation. The rapid pivot to Doom, particularly after plans for Kang were shelved, suggests Marvel may have scrambled for a credible antagonist rather than executing a carefully considered vision, and this lack of groundwork may leave audiences less emotionally invested in the Avengers' ultimate conflict.
The case against
This perspective emphasises that many cinematic villains have succeeded brilliantly without years of prior establishment—Darth Vader and Ultron both achieved iconic status through strong writing and performance rather than lengthy teasers. What determines success is not how gradually a character arrives, but the quality of their characterisation and the film's execution; moreover, Doom's cameo already provides some introduction, and the Avengers film itself can serve as an extended narrative to establish his credibility.
Explained simply
Marvel’s Avengers films bring together heroes from across the studio’s films to face major threats. Doctor Doom, played by Robert Downey Jr., is a powerful villain from the Fantastic Four stories; before the new trailer, he appeared briefly at the end of The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
Marvel introduced its earlier Avengers villain Thanos gradually across several films before he became the central threat in Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame. That history is why some viewers compare the build-up to Doom’s with the one Thanos received. Others point out that a villain can make an impact without years of advance appearances.
The debate matters because Avengers: Doomsday is expected to help establish Doom for future films, and audiences’ response will depend in part on how the story presents him. The film is due out in December.
Avengers: Doomsday Entertainment Film Gaming