SDCC 2024 Highlights: Downey Jr. Is Doctor Doom, Avengers 6, ‘The Penguin’ and More

CNET covered San Diego Comic-Con 2024, where fantasy and sci-fi fans gathered for a weekend of excitement. The event featured major news from Marvel, Prime Video, Max, Peacock, and other entertainment giants. On Thursday, fans were treated to a special appearance by Deadpool & Wolverine, along with a drone show starring Fantastic Four’s Galactus. For those who missed the event, we’ve got you covered with the latest updates on TV shows, movies, and animation, including new trailers, panel highlights, and more from Hall H.

Now that Comic-Con is over, here’s a look at some of the new content coming your way: The Penguin, Peacock’s Teacup, Alien: Romulus, Like A Dragon: Yakuza, and Rings of Power on Prime Video. Marvel’s showcase revealed details about Avengers 5, among other exciting announcements. Read on for a roundup of the biggest TV and film news of the week.

Read more: Comic-Con 2024: Rings of Power Season 2 Has Sauron vs. Adar, Orc Destruction

Robert Downey Jr. is set to play Doctor Doom in Avengers 5, now titled Avengers: Doomsday.

Michael Buckner/Variety/Getty Images

Robert Downey Jr. Cast as Doctor Doom

Marvel’s Hall H panel at Comic-Con unveiled exciting news about Avengers 5. The film has been named Avengers: Doomsday, with the Russo Brothers directing both this movie and Avengers 6. In addition, Robert Downey Jr. will portray Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday, set to release in May 2026.

Avengers: Secret Wars Confirmed

Following Doomsday, Avengers: Secret Wars is scheduled for release in May 2027. Originally announced in 2022 as part of Phase 6, this film will see the return of the Russo Brothers to the Avengers saga. Marvel also teased that the Fantastic Four will be part of both new Avengers movies.

Fantastic Four Reboot

In anticipation of the new Fantastic Four movie, set to hit theaters in July 2025, fans were given a glimpse of the star-studded cast in action. The cast includes Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/The Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/The Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as The Thing.

Ralph Ineson joins the cast as Galactus, the iconic villain, which was teased earlier in the week with a drone show featuring the character’s face across the San Diego sky.

Thunderbolts Film

Before Fantastic Four arrives, fans can look forward to Thunderbolts hitting theaters in May 2025. The movie, connected to Captain America: Brave New World, introduces a team of super-villains specializing in government-sanctioned black ops. The cast features Florence Pugh, David Harbour, Sebastian Stan, Wyatt Russell, Hannah John-Kamen, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

The Penguin Series

The Penguin, a crime drama series starring Colin Farrell, is set to premiere on HBO and Max on Sept. 19. A spinoff of Matt Reeves’ The Batman, the show promises a dark and thrilling narrative.

The Boys Prequel: Vought Rising

Prime Video’s popular superhero show, The Boys, is getting a prequel titled Vought Rising. The spinoff explores the origins of characters like Soldier Boy and Stormfront in the 1950s. Eric Kripke serves as showrunner.

Jensen Ackles stars as Soldier Boy in season 3 of The Boys on Prime Video.

Prime Video

The Rings of Power Season 2 Details

The upcoming season of Rings of Power on Prime Video premieres on Aug. 29. Set in a new era, the season showcases conflict between key characters Adar and Sauron, with epic battles and giant creatures adding to the excitement. Check out the latest trailer for a sneak peek.

Like a Dragon: Yakuza Series

Based on Sega’s video game series, the Like a Dragon: Yakuza TV show is coming to Prime Video. Starring Ryoma Takeuchi and Kento Kaku, the show delves into the origins of the characters and promises an action-packed narrative. The first three episodes will be available on Prime Video on Oct. 24.

Creature Commandos by James Gunn

Filmmaker James Gunn made a surprise appearance at Comic-Con to announce Creature Commandos, an animated series coming to Max. The show follows a team of monster misfits on dangerous missions, similar to the Suicide Squad. The star-studded voice cast includes Viola Davis, Steve Agee, Anya Chalotra, Zoe Chao, Frank Grillo, Sean Gunn, David Harbour, and Alan Tudyk.

Doctor Who Spinoff

Disney unveiled a new Doctor Who spinoff set in the 1970s featuring the Sea Devils. Produced in partnership with the BBC, the series stars Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Russell Tovey, Alexander Devrient, and Jemma Redgrave, and will stream on Disney Plus.

⛰️ THE WAR BETWEEN THE LAND AND THE SEA 🌊
Just announced in Hall H: A new Whoniverse spin-off begins filming next month with Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Russell Tovey, Jemma Redgrave and Alexander Devrient leading the cast.

Find out more at the #DoctorWho website pic.twitter.com/enRr2T8Kw6

— Doctor Who (@bbcdoctorwho) July 26, 2024

Peacock’s Teacup Horror Series

Alongside the Olympic Games, Peacock is gearing up for the premiere of Teacup, a horror series from James Wan based on Robert McCammon’s novel Stinger. The show promises suspense, drama, and scares, and will debut on Peacock on Oct. 10.

Something is out there. #Teacupfrom Executive Producers Ian McCulloch and James Wan, arrives October 10 on Peacock. pic.twitter.com/c6ssGKeeoM

— Peacock (@peacock) July 25, 2024

From Season 3 Premiere Date

The mystery-horror series From is set to return with its third season, premiering on Sept. 22 on MGM Plus. The show follows a town threatened by bloodthirsty monsters.

Michael C. Hall’s Return to Dexter

During a panel for Dexter: Original Sin, a prequel series to Dexter, Michael C. Hall announced his return to the iconic role in a new sequel series titled Dexter: Resurrection. Expected to premiere on Paramount Plus in December, the sequel takes place in the present day.

The Legend of Vox Machina Season 3

Prime Video’s animated series, The Legend of Vox Machina, based on the popular Critical Role streaming series, returns for its third season on Oct. 3. The new season promises high stakes and thrilling adventures in the world of Vox Machina.

The Ballroom 20 panel also discussed the spinoff series The Mighty Nein and the future of Critical Role with the original cast members.

CNET attended San Diego Comic-Con 2024, and it was a blockbuster weekend for fantasy and sci-fi enthusiasts. From Marvel to Prime Video, Max, Peacock, and other entertainment behemoths, the event was jam-packed with exciting news and announcements that left fans buzzing. Here’s a breakdown of all the key highlights from the event:

Deadpool & Wolverine Take the Stage
The excitement kicked off on Thursday with a special appearance by Deadpool & Wolverine, accompanied by a thrilling drone show featuring Fantastic Four’s Galactus. Even if you couldn’t make it to California, we’ve got you covered with the latest updates on TV shows, movies, and animations showcased at Comic-Con.

Avengers: Doomsday Unveiled
Marvel’s panel in Hall H delivered some major news regarding Avengers 5, now titled Avengers: Doomsday. Directed by the Russo Brothers, the film will feature Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom and is set to hit theaters in May 2026. Additionally, a follow-up film, Avengers: Secret Wars, is scheduled for a May 2027 release, with the Fantastic Four making an appearance in both movies.

Fantastic Four Reboot
After nearly a decade, Marvel is rebooting the Fantastic Four franchise with a star-studded cast. Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach headline the film, with Ralph Ineson portraying the iconic villain Galactus. Fans were treated to a teaser of the new cast in action, building anticipation for the movie’s premiere in July 2025.

Thunderbolts on the Horizon
Before the Fantastic Four hits theaters, fans can look forward to the Thunderbolts film in May 2025, connected to Captain America: Brave New World. The star-studded cast includes Florence Pugh, David Harbour, Sebastian Stan, Wyatt Russell, Hannah John-Kamen, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, among others, setting the stage for an action-packed adventure.

The Penguin
Colin Farrell stars in the new crime drama series, "The Penguin," a spinoff from Matt Reeves’ "The Batman." Premiering on HBO and Max on Sept. 19, the show promises a dark and gritty take on the Gotham gangster’s origin story.

The Boys: Vought Rising
Prime Video’s hit series, "The Boys," is getting a prequel titled "Vought Rising," delving into the corrupt origins of the infamous corporation. Jensen Ackles and Aya Cash lead the cast in this 1950s-set story, exploring the early days of Stormfront and Soldier Boy.

Rings of Power Season 2
Prime Video’s epic fantasy series returns for a second season on Aug. 29, promising intense battles, forging of rings, and conflicts between Adar and Sauron. Fans can expect giant creatures and high-stakes drama in the upcoming season.

Teacup: A New Horror Series
Peacock is gearing up for the release of "Teacup," a horror series based on Robert McCammon’s novel "Stinger," produced by James Wan. The show blends suspense, drama, and scares, offering a chilling viewing experience starting Oct. 10.

From Season 3 and More
Mystery-horror series "From" returns with a third installment on Sept. 22, while Michael C. Hall reprises his role in the Dexter universe with "Dexter: Resurrection" premiering in the summer of 2025.

The Legend of Vox Machina
Prime Video’s animated series based on Critical Role’s D&D adventures continues with a high-stakes third season premiering on Oct. 3, promising an epic adventure for fans of the franchise.

With a plethora of exciting announcements and trailers unveiled at San Diego Comic-Con 2024, fans have plenty to look forward to in the realm of sci-fi and fantasy entertainment. Stay tuned for more updates as these captivating projects come to life on screen.