First Look at Robert Downey Jr., Anthony Mackie, and Chris Hemsworth on the Set of ‘Avengers Infinity Defense’

Disney California Adventure’s Avengers Campus has been gradually gearing up for a significant expansion since the project was first hinted at during D23 2022. Fans have only received sporadic concept art and vague updates over the years, but this weekend marked a turning point as Marvel enthusiasts got their clearest glimpse yet at the construction taking place behind Avengers Headquarters, which has largely been hidden from public view.

This exciting reveal came during Disney’s Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase at D23, where Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige unveiled the complete cast lineup for ‘Avengers Infinity Defense’, the much-anticipated dark ride focused on a showdown against a multiversal King Thanos. Along with this announcement, Disney shared behind-the-scenes footage, offering fans their first real look at Robert Downey Jr., Anthony Mackie, and Chris Hemsworth filming new material for the attraction.

The footage also unveiled a surprising detail: as reported by Cosmic Book News, the actors filmed their scenes for the ride while already on set for ‘Avengers: Doomsday’, integrating the theme park shoot into their production schedule for the upcoming film. This clever strategy allowed Disney to capture fresh performances from its top stars without requiring a separate filming session.

Downey will reprise his role as Iron Man for the attraction, joined by Mackie’s Captain America, Hemsworth’s Thor, and Jeremy Renner’s Hawkeye. Iman Vellani will return as Ms. Marvel to lead the ride’s pre-mission briefing as guests are welcomed as new recruits. Notably, Downey will portray Tony Stark in the ride, rather than his upcoming role as Doctor Doom, maintaining the attraction’s hero lineup despite his evolving character arc.

In addition to confirming the cast, the newly released clips provided fans with their first look at some of the attraction’s completed visual elements. Thor’s redesigned helmet was particularly eye-catching, featuring a new look crafted specifically for the ride, which Disney has hinted may eventually be available as merchandise in gift shops.

According to the Disney Parks Blog, the ride will immerse guests in expansive physical sets that seamlessly integrate with large media screens, creating the sensation of traveling across multiple worlds during the experience. This blend of physical and digital elements mirrors the technology utilized in Peter Pan’s Never Land Adventure at Tokyo DisneySea, providing Imagineers with a proven ride system to develop the new attraction.

‘Avengers Infinity Defense’ is slated to debut in 2028, alongside another new attraction, Stark Flight Lab, which will also feature Downey and Mackie reprising their roles, this time with Brie Larson as Captain Marvel. Together, these two rides will significantly expand the footprint of Avengers Campus, which currently includes attractions like Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! and WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure.

With actual filmed footage now confirmed and a definitive opening year established, ‘Avengers Infinity Defense’ has transitioned from mere concept art to an active, in-progress reality. Marvel fans now have tangible evidence that their beloved Avengers are back in action, cameras rolling, for a ride that has been years in the making, finally putting an end to a long period of speculation.

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