(L to R) Pedro Pascal, Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, and Hayley Atwell at San Diego Comic Con 2026. Photo: Marvel Studios.
Preview:
- Marvel showed more of ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con.
- Ryan Gosling was announced as playing Ghost Rider in a film to be directed by Shawn Levy.
- Ryan Reynolds showed up as Deadpool, but isn’t confirmed for ‘Doomsday’.
Though it has skipped a couple of recent years, when Marvel hits Hall H at the San Diego Comic-Con, it’s always a big event. We’ve had major cast announcements, Phase details and talk of future films. While not all of them have come to pass *cough* ‘Blade’ *cough*, you can rely on SDCC for some hefty news.
2026 promises to be no different, with ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ about to arrive, ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ set for December and much more.
Release Date: Dec 18, 2026
Run Time: 2 hr 45 min
Plus, with the likes of Denzel Washington spotted in San Diego, there are plenty of rumors swirling about the studios finally confirming his involvement in a third ‘Black Panther’ movie. Read on for what happened…
What did we learn about ‘Avengers: Doomsday’?
The cast of ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ at San Diego Comic Con 2026. Photo: Marvel Studios.
Before the panel even began, everyone in the audience received a Doctor Doom mask, and cloak.
Kevin Feige, the usual master of ceremonies, arrived to celebrate the comics from which the entire MCU is spawned, and to hype up the release of ‘Avengers: Endgame Encore,’ with new footage and a look at ‘Doomsday,’ due in theaters on September 25.
But ‘Doomsday’ was always going to be one of the main movies hyped today, with the company bringing the likes of Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Pedro Pascal and Hayley Atwell to the stage alongside directors Joe and Anthony Russo. They were soon joined by a variety of other MCU performers, including Simu Liu (Shang Chi) and Winston Duke (M’Baku in the ‘Black Panther’ franchise). Basically almost all the actors confirmed for the movie so far. It’s a wonder the stage has room.
Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool at San Diego Comic Con 2026. Photo: Marvel Studios.
In typical Ryan Reynolds style, the actor showed up in Deadpool costume to A) beg for a role in ‘Doomsday’ and B) to crack wise. Standing at the Q&A audience mic, he said, “Longtime listener, first time caller. I’m a huge fan. I’m not wearing a Doom mask over this mask because I don’t want to ruin the lines of my Canadian tuxedo. Why is Thor crying?” (a reference to Deadpool & Wolverine, just in case you forgot). Will he show up in the movie for real? That’s yet to be confirmed, but Reynolds still knows how to find the funny.
The Russos cued up exclusive footage from the new movie, including Doom on the throne. Sue Storm says he used to be kind, he used to be caring, but everything he loved was taken from him. We see intense shots of Thor, Shang-Chi, Shuri, and Gambit, plus Doom commanding some comic-accurate Sentinels (the frequent robo-enemies of the X-Men).
What else was announced at the Marvel Comic-Con panel?
(L to R) Ryan Gosling and Kevin Feige presenting ‘Ghost Rider’ at San Diego Comic Con 2026. Photo: Marvel Studios.
The first big piece of news was the announcement (and confirmation of rumors) that one Ryan Thomas Gosling has been cast as Johnny Blaze, AKA Ghost Rider. Shawn Levy, who recently directed the Gos in ‘Star Wars: Starfighter,’ is back in the MCU following ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ to handle the new movie. Gosling can’t quite believe it’s happening, and you know, he’s not alone. The movie is due out in 2028.
A brief detour to bring Jon “Frank Castle/The Punisher” Bernthal on stage and a new scene shown to the audience signified all that the company wanted to say about ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day.’ Which makes sense given that it’s out next week. If you were hoping to hear who Sadie Sink is playing in the movie, just keep waiting!
(L to R) Director Ryan Coogler, and David Jonsson presenting ‘Black Panther III’ at San Diego Comic Con 2026. Photo: Marvel Studios.
Feige also confirmed that a third ‘Black Panther’ is in the works from director Ryan Coogler. We learned that the new Black Panther will be T’Challa’s son, to be played in adult form (so a time jump, then!) by British actor David Jonsson (‘Alien: Romulus’). The new movie will be out on December 15, 2028. No sign, by the way, of Denzel Washington.
And that was it for a relatively restrained Marvel panel, even given the big Ghost Rider, Deadpool and Panther reveals. Perhaps the company has learned not to make giant Phase promises going forward…
The cast of ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ at San Diego Comic Con 2026. Photo: Marvel Studios.
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