Marvel Studios packed Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con on Saturday night and dropped two casting confirmations fans have waited months to hear. Hayley Atwell is officially returning as Peggy Carter. And Ryan Reynolds showed up in full Deadpool costume to make his case for joining the film. The room lost its mind.
Hayley Atwell confirms Peggy Carter's return
Atwell took the stage alongside Chris Evans, Pedro Pascal, and Robert Downey Jr. as part of the official cast reveal. After months of speculation, Marvel finally read her name on the list. She is in Avengers: Doomsday.
Speaking after the panel, Atwell described what drew her back: "I always want Peggy to have something different to do. We have that in this. It's such an existential epic of a movie. You see Peggy in a very different light responding to that."
The question remains: is this the Peggy from the main timeline, or Captain Carter from the multiverse? Atwell would not say. Her last live-action appearance was the Illuminati version in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, where Captain Carter was killed by the Scarlet Witch. Given the multiverse premise of Doomsday, either version is possible.
What Atwell did share: "You can't really have Steve without Peggy, or without the longing for Peggy. I think it's really touching to me that their love story is an enduring one."
Ryan Reynolds crashed the panel as Deadpool
Reynolds appeared from the audience in a grey Deadpool costume, posing as a fan named "Ricky" before launching into a bit that brought the panel to a halt.
"Longtime listener, first time caller," Reynolds said in character. "I'm not wearing a Doom mask over this mask because I didn't want to ruin the lines of my Canadian tuxedo."
When asked if he had a question, Reynolds kept the bit going: "This seems like an awfully expensive way to announce the film. When do you start filming?"
Robert Downey Jr. replied: "It's in the can, bro. Look around you. Did you bump your head?"
Reynolds played deflated: "I see. So there's no additional photography? No overages, high costs, maybe last-minute additions?" When shut down, he dropped the mic: "No further questions. Happy Hogan, fetch the Audi. We're leaving."
Marvel did not officially confirm Deadpool for Doomsday during the panel. But given that the film is "in the can" and Reynolds showed up in a new suit, the implication is loud. His scenes were likely already shot. The bit was theater, not a pitch.
What this means for Doomsday
Avengers: Doomsday is pulling together characters from across the MCU, the Fox X-Men franchise, and the new Fantastic Four. Peggy Carter adds another emotional thread: her presence means the Steve Rogers return (Chris Evans is confirmed) carries more weight. These two built one of the MCU's defining love stories.
Deadpool, meanwhile, represents the tone shift. If Wade Wilson is cracking jokes while Doctor Doom threatens the multiverse, the film is threading a needle between cosmic dread and irreverent comedy. Given how well Deadpool & Wolverine handled that balance, Marvel clearly trusts Reynolds to walk the line.
Avengers: Doomsday releases in theaters December 18, 2026. Directors Anthony and Joe Russo are at the helm. The cast now includes Downey Jr., Evans, Pascal, Hayley Atwell, Chris Hemsworth, Vanessa Kirby, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, and many more.
For more coverage, follow the Avengers: Doomsday hub or catch up with the Hall H announcements roundup.