Anticipation for Marvel's 2026 tentpole, "Avengers: Doomsday," is reaching a fever pitch, largely driven by the grand return of Oscar winner Robert Downey Jr. as the villainous Doctor Doom. This pivotal casting marks a significant departure from his iconic Iron Man portrayal, a move that has captivated widespread interest among fans and critics alike. Simu Liu, reprising his role as Shang-Chi, offered unique insights into the star-studded production and Downey Jr.'s legendary on-set persona.

Liu shared an amusing anecdote about Downey Jr.'s elaborate on-set setup, which the cast and crew affectionately dubbed "Downey Land." This "convoy of trailers" at base camp was more than just a休息区; it was an experience. Liu recounted being invited to "Downey Land" for the first time, discovering it adorned with "beautiful Andy Warhol-esque artwork," all featuring Downey himself, a testament to his self-awareness. What surprised Liu further was the presence of dedicated chefs. "I didn’t realize that Downey Land has its own chefs," Liu explained, detailing how a full buffet was promptly laid out, prompting him to put away his own set lunch. He expressed awe at sharing a meal with such an array of esteemed individuals, underscoring the unique atmosphere cultivated by the veteran actor.

The "Avengers: Doomsday" cast is an unprecedented assembly, bringing together a vast spectrum of talent from across various Marvel iterations and beyond. Alongside Simu Liu and Robert Downey Jr., the film features established Marvel Cinematic Universe stalwarts like Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Florence Pugh, and Tom Hiddleston. Adding a groundbreaking dimension, several actors from Fox's "X-Men" universe are making a highly anticipated return, including Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming, Rebecca Romijn, James Marsden, and Kelsey Grammer. The ensemble is further bolstered by new MCU favorites and stars from other Marvel properties, such as Channing Tatum, Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, David Harbour, Wyatt Russell, Hannah John-Kamen, Lewis Pullman, Anthony Mackie, Danny Ramirez, Sebastian Stan, Paul Rudd, Letitia Wright, and Winston Duke, promising an ultimate team-up movie.

Further fueling excitement are the two teaser trailers released for "Avengers: Doomsday," each offering compelling glimpses into pivotal character storylines. The first teaser, which played during previews for "Avatar: Fire and Ash," confirmed the unexpected return of Chris Evans as Captain America, revealing that he surprisingly now has a child. The second teaser, focusing on Chris Hemsworth's Thor, delves into a deeply emotional arc. It depicts Thor praying to his late father, the Norse god Odin, for the strength to protect his adopted daughter, Love, as he prepares to answer the call to battle against Doctor Doom. Love, introduced in 2022’s "Thor: Love and Thunder" and portrayed by Hemsworth's real-life daughter India, is the child of the villain Gorr the God Butcher. In his final moments, Gorr made Thor promise to raise Love as if she were his own, and she has since joined Thor on his adventures, notably wielding his Stormbreaker hammer. The teaser opens in a serene, sunny forest, mirroring the idyllic farmhouse scene from Captain America's teaser, before showcasing a glimpse of a slightly older Love and a resolute Thor.

Liu also highlighted the imperative of maintaining a professional demeanor on set, despite his personal admiration for his co-stars. He articulated his approach: "For me, it was very imperative that I put that fan side away. I compartmentalized that side of me because I was like, ‘I have a job to do, and the worst thing that I can do right now is be a fan. I’m not a fan. I’m a coworker.’" He acknowledged how "ridiculous as that sounds" to him at the time, it was crucial to "treat these people as my equals, even though I’m literally like a little boy right now." "Avengers: Doomsday" is slated to open in theaters on December 18 from Disney, poised to deliver an unprecedented cinematic event blending diverse superhero narratives.