Director duo the Russo Brothers have sparked fresh speculation over what fans can expect from the hotly-anticipated first trailer for Avengers: Doomsday.
Anthony and Joe Russo, best known for directing Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, will return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2026 with Avengers: Doomsday.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Disney is set to debut four different trailers for Avengers: Doomsday over a four-week period, with each of the promos appearing exclusively before screenings of Avatar: Fire and Ash.
The third film in the Avatar series is set to hit cinemas on December 19, giving Marvel fans a look at what to expect almost a year before Avengers: Doomsday arrives in multiplexes on December 18, 2026.
While the new Avengers film will see a plethora of characters from across a broad range of Marvel franchises unite on the big screen for the first time, the biggest talking point has been the return of Robert Downey Jr., who has been cast as the villain Dr. Doom.
Downey Jr. previously played Tony Stark, aka Iron Man, until the character’s demise in Avengers: Endgame. Much of the online speculation surrounding the new movie is how Downey Jr. will be integrated into proceedings, having previously played a different character.
One theory centers the idea that Doctor Doom will be a variant of Tony Stark from an alternate universe who took a darker path. It’s a theory that has resurfaced in the wake of a cryptic post by the Russo Brothers, offering a hint of what to expect.
The post is of a grainy black-and-white image tagged #AvengersDoomsday. It appears to show the image of a “V” shape.
On first glance, the “V” could simply be a reference to Victor Werner Von Doom, Dr. Doom’s full name. Others suggest the “V” could be a cryptic clue that there will be a fifth trailer for the new film that will debut online.
It could also tie into a recent Instagram post from Downey Jr. depicting Iron Man and Dr. Doom pulling on either side of a wishbone. This item has been interpreted by many as a symbol of the diverging paths and parallel worlds created when different life decisions play out.
It is all part of a concept called quantum branching, the many-worlds interpretation, where every choice made in life splits reality. In the MCU, several characters have already crossed in and out of different timelines, allowing multiple versions of superheroes like Spider-Man to appear on-screen together.
That has given the MCU the opportunity to have Spider-Man stars such as Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield reprise their roles as the titular webslinger alongside the incumbent, Tom Holland. It could also allow for the return of Downey Jr.
The wishbone theory hints at the idea that Iron Man and Dr. Doom are variants of Tony Stark from different dimensions. One user posting in the comments appeared to agree, writing “branched timelines.” Another wrote: “that’s what I said” with a third adding: “Split in 2 after the snap/cap staying in the past.” A fourth concurred, commenting simply: “Multiverse branches.”
Another, meanwhile, thought it was the start of a countdown, commenting: “V—five days to go.” One user confidently claimed: “It’s upside down cropped photo of RDJ with hood. Intent to showing as symbol (V) we might see this symbol break symbol A of Avengers in the title into.”
Arguably the most-interesting claim came from a user suggesting it was linked to another character altogether. “It’s Loki’s helmet,” they said.
Whatever the truth is, fans may not have long before they find out.
