An ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Teaser Is Online, But It’s Not the One You Want

It’s December 18, and exactly one year from today, Avengers: Doomsday will be in theaters. When that happens, over seven years will have elapsed between films in Marvel Studios’ marquee franchise, and anticipation is already through the roof. To mark the occasion, Marvel has reportedly put one, if not more, teaser trailers in theaters to play with Avatar: Fire and Ash. But the film’s directors, the Russo Brothers, also posted a teaser online. It just happens to be wildly underwhelming in comparison.

What’s in theaters, according to multiple people who’ve seen a pirated version of it, is a short clip confirming some major news: Chris Evans is returning as Steve Rogers in the film. That’s a fun reveal that opens up all kinds of exciting speculation and excitement. This clip is not that.

Yes, that’s the Russos’ official Avengers: Doomsday teaser. A clapperboard and a countdown starting from one year, which began last night at midnight PST. No footage, no actors, nothing. Just that. Which, we know, is a let-down.

Not to mention that IGN reports multiple fans in Europe showed up to see Avatar: Fire and Ash last night but did not get the trailer for Avengers: Doomsday. So, this whole thing has been a little weird.

But, we’d hope, U.S. theaters will be a bit more on it with the teaser trailer and, potentially, any other teaser trailers that may follow in the next few weeks. Other online rumors suggest a second trailer will focus on Chris Hemsworth’s Thor. Earlier reports were that Disney and Marvel had created upwards of four trailers, but we’ve since heard that might not be exactly right.

So where does that leave us? Well, Doomsday opens in one year. The Russos released the short countdown video. And that’s all we 100% officially know. We are 99% sure a more substantial trailer, announcing the return of Chris Evans as Captain America, exists, and 95% sure that it will be playing in at least some theaters before Avatar: Fire and Ash. Beyond that, those percentages drop way, way down.

Not to mention, all of this has left some Marvel fans, ourselves included, understandably frustrated. We’re used to secrecy surrounding these projects, but we’re not used to major news being confirmed via bootlegged clips, wrapped in uncertainty of where and how to see things. Is this really what the company wants for, almost certainly, its biggest film of 2026? Are the cloak-and-dagger tactics working? Well, we’re writing about it. And you’re reading it. So, maybe it is.

Hopefully, Marvel gets a little more traditional soon and releases nice, high-quality versions of its teasers for all to enjoy. But, for now, even if you want to gamble on seeing a Doomsday trailer in theaters, Avatar: Fire and Ash is a pretty great consolation.

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.