Robert Downey Jr. gathered several Avengers: Doomsday cast members for a private screening of Thunderbolts* and later shared a group photo showing support for the film’s ensemble. The image, posted to Downey’s Instagram account, featured familiar faces from past Marvel productions alongside actors who have joined the franchise in recent years.
“Dinner and a show with the Old Avengers. So cool, fresh, and deep. Big congrats. #thunderbolts,” Downey wrote in the caption, referencing the team featured in Marvel’s newest theatrical release.
Among those pictured were Chris Hemsworth, Paul Rudd, Anthony Mackie, Winston Duke, Simu Liu, Channing Tatum, Vanessa Kirby, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach. The post marked one of the first group moments publicly shared by the cast of Avengers: Doomsday, which is scheduled for release next year.
Downey, who portrayed Tony Stark until 2019’s Avengers: Endgame, is returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in a new role. Last summer, he announced he would play Victor Von Doom, also known as Doctor Doom, beginning with Doomsday, followed by another appearance in Avengers: Secret Wars, expected in 2027.
Several cast members in the photo are set to appear in upcoming Marvel films or have already joined through recent projects. Tatum will portray Gambit in Deadpool & Wolverine, his first role in the MCU. Kirby and Moss-Bachrach are featured in Fantastic Four: First Steps, which introduces them as Sue Storm and Ben Grimm. That film is set to arrive later this summer.
Simu Liu, who previously headlined Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and Winston Duke, known for playing M’Baku in the Black Panther series, were also part of the group. Mackie, who first played Falcon, now leads the Captain America storyline following Steve Rogers’ exit from the franchise.
Thunderbolts** introduces a new team of operatives within the Marvel universe, distinct from the traditional Avengers lineup. The group includes Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), John Walker (Wyatt Russell), Red Guardian (David Harbour), Bob (Lewis Pullman), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko), and Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus).
Sebastian Stan, whose character Bucky Barnes has appeared since 2011, is the only team member with long-standing ties to the franchise. The rest of the cast represents Marvel’s newer era, focusing on individuals with complex pasts and shifting loyalties.
Downey’s social media post referred to the Thunderbolts* group as the “New Avengers,” a label that quickly gained traction online. Fans and fellow actors responded with enthusiasm, including Jeremy Renner, who commented with a series of clapping emojis. Renner is not part of the Doomsday cast and was not present at the screening.
His comment came shortly after news that he declined to return for a second season of the Disney+ series Hawkeye, citing compensation disagreements. Renner previously stated he had been offered only half of what he received for the first season.
The Thunderbolts** screening brought together performers from multiple Marvel projects, offering a look at how the franchise’s evolving cast is connecting both publicly and behind the scenes. Downey’s post did not specify when or where the gathering took place, but the message served as an endorsement of the new ensemble and the film’s direction.
Thunderbolts* is currently screening in theaters. Fantastic Four: First Steps is expected this summer, with Avengers: Doomsday planned for release next year.
