The 2024 San Diego International Comic-Con (SDCC) was held as scheduled from July 25 to July 28 local time. As the world's largest anime exhibition, although the number of exhibitors and works in San Diego this year has decreased compared to before the epidemic, judging from the ticket sales, it can be said that it has regained its past popularity.

In addition to being a carnival for ACG fans to get up close with their favorite works, show off their Cosplay skills, and meet friends to communicate, San Diego is also a stage for Hollywood companies to release the latest news and give back to their core fans. This year, many film and television production companies including Marvel and DC set up booths in San Diego as usual, and also invited many Hollywood stars to participate in the event and report the progress of planned projects, of course, there is no lack of explosive news.

First, let's take a look at what news Marvel has released at the San Diego Comic-Con. As one of the most popular booths in San Diego, this year's Marvel exhibition was unprecedented in scale, with a number of themed activities including the game "Marvel Confrontation", the movie "Deadpool and Wolverine", the comic "X-Men: From the Ashes", the "Marvel Women" symposium, drone performances, etc. For fans around the world, the most shocking news is that Robert Downey Jr. will return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, this time he will no longer play Iron Man, but Doctor Doom, who will appear in "Avengers 5".

Robert Downey Jr. makes surprise appearance at San Diego Comic-Con

Like Iron Man, the villain Doctor Doom also appears in a mask and mecha.

Interestingly, this villain who has a special liking for the color green is used to arming himself with masks and armor like Iron Man. He is also a genius who is proficient in a variety of cross-disciplinary science and technology and will constantly upgrade himself. As for the reason for playing a Marvel role again, Robert Downey Jr. said at the San Diego event, "I have always liked to challenge complex roles."

Doctor Doom comic book character

Robert Downey Jr. is not the only one who has chosen to return. The Russo brothers have also confirmed that they will continue to direct "Avengers 5" and "Avengers 6". The subtitle of "Avengers 5" has been changed from "Kang's Dynasty" to "Doomsday", and it is scheduled to be released in North America and other places on May 1, 2026. The subtitle of "Avengers 6" is still "Secret Wars", and it is scheduled to be released in North America and other places on May 7, 2027.

Speaking of Doctor Doom, we have to mention the Fantastic Four who first fought against him. The four leading actors of the new version of "Fantastic Four", Pedro Pascal (Mr. Fantastic), Vanessa Kirby (Invisible Woman), Joseph Quinn (Human Torch), and Ebon Moss-Bachrach (The Thing), also came to San Diego to meet the audience. The film will start shooting on July 30, and the official title is "Fantastic Four: First Steps", which is scheduled to be released in North America and other places on July 25, 2025. Director Matt Shakman said at the event that "Fantastic Four: First Steps" is not a simple superhero movie set in the 1960s, but will take the route of retro-futurism.

New version of "Fantastic Four" crew debuts

Compared to Marvel's fanfare, DC Films had much fewer activities in San Diego this time. The most important news released during this period was that "The Batman Part II" will start shooting in early 2025, and director Matt Reeves, starring Robert Pattinson, "Penguin" Colin Farrell and other original cast members will all return.

Director Matt Reeves announces the start of The Batman 2

In addition, the official trailer of the spin-off series of "The New Batman" "Penguin" was also exposed for the first time in San Diego. The show will be launched on the Max platform on September 19.

The "Batman" spin-off series "Penguin" will be launched on September 19th.