You Likely Missed Avengers: Doomsday's Secret Super Bowl Promo That Is Quite Genius

2 days ago 7

Published Feb 9, 2026, 9:27 AM EST

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The only marketing for Avengers: Doomsday is a genius move, but many likely didn't catch it. In 10 months, Marvel Studio's Multiverse Saga will start to culminate with Joe and Anthony Russo's comeback project for the MCU. Marking the first crossover event since the record-breaking Avengers: Endgame in 2019, it would be an understatement to say that a lot is riding on the success of Avengers: Doomsday, both commercially and critically.

Unlike the Infinity Saga, the Multiverse Saga has had a less than ideal run thus far. Marvel Studios and Kevin Feige have had to pivot away from already-announced projects and re-arrange their storytelling for the best-case-scenario set-up for its eventual culmination. Chris Evans is returning as Steve Rogers, while Robert Downey Jr. will take on the role of Dr. Doom — the movie's main antagonist. The X-Men, Fantastic Four, and other second generation of prime MCU heroes are expected to play big roles in the film.

Robert Downey Jr promoting Avengers Doomsday

Because of its past record, there was an expectation that Marvel Studios would drop new footage for Avengers: Doomsday during Super Bowl LX. Unfortunately, Feige and his team opted out of it, breaking a 14-year record that dates back from 2012's The Avengers and leaving many disappointed. Despite that, there was actually some marketing for Avengers: Doomsday for the Super Bowl courtesy of Downey Jr. On his official Instagram account, he posted a photo of him and his wife, Susan Downey, wearing custom MCU-themed football uniforms. Check out the snap below:

In the caption, Downey wrote "Team Green," not referring to any of the squads playing for the championship, but for Dr. Doom in Avengers: Doomsday. For what it's worth, the actor likes to use holidays for themed marketing for his projects. In the past, he did the same for his appearances as Tony Stark/Iron Man in the Infinity Saga. While nothing new, it's still nice to have some kind of marketing for the film even though Marvel Studios skipped a big game drop.

Julian McMahon fully suited up as Doctor Doom next to Robert Downey Jr.'s Tony Stark

Admittedly, Downey's post cannot be a substitute to a proper Avengers: Doomsday trailer release at the Super Bowl. Given the circumstances, however, it's still better than nothing. Arguably, it's also more important than one would think. A big criticism of his casting as Dr. Doom is how synonymous he is with Iron Man. Until now, selling him as a different character is perhaps the biggest factor in Avengers: Doomsday's success. The actor positioning himself as Dr. Doom and subtly reminding the public that he is no longer Iron Man leading up to the film will help condition viewers with this shift.

Why Marvel Didn't Release Avengers: Doomsday's Trailer During Super Bowl LX (Breaking A 14-Year Tradition)

Effectively breaking a 14-year tradition, Marvel Studios didn't release any marketing promotion for Avengers: Doomsday during Super Bowl LX. But why?

In addition to that, selling "Team Green" gradually endears people to Dr. Doom, who barely has any kind of narrative set-up in the Multiverse Saga before Avengers: Doomsday. Even Thanos had a couple of brief but impactful appearances ahead of his proper debut in Avengers: Infinity War. Unfortunately, his MCU successor doesn't have that luxury. If Downey can sell the idea that Dr. Doom is an interesting character, especially to the public who is not knee-deep in comics lore, it will help amplify the hype for the upcoming film.