Doctor Doom is already making his presence felt in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with his sights set on the Fantastic Four, Avengers, and a new movie, Avengers: Doomsday, which has been delayed until December 2026. As a result, Marvel Studios will not be hosting one of its signature Hall H panels at San Diego Comic-Con this year. The news was first reported by the Hollywood Reporter and confirmed by io9 with a source at Marvel Studios.

The decision to skip Hall H is likely due to the fact that Avengers: Doomsday was originally scheduled for release in May 2026, but has now been pushed back to December 2026. With the cast currently filming the movie, Marvel Studios may have felt that it couldn’t deliver a blockbuster panel, and has therefore decided to take a year off. This isn’t the first time the studio has skipped Hall H, having done so in 2011, 2015, 2018, and 2023, either due to production scheduling or a lack of concrete news to share.

Marvel Studios has high standards for its Hall H panels, which are often the highlight of the weekend. After last year’s panel, which featured the reveal of the Russos’ return for two Avengers movies and Robert Downey Jr.’s casting as Doctor Doom, it may have been challenging to follow up with an equally impressive presentation. With only one movie in production, and that being 18 months away from release, it may have seemed excessive to promote it without footage.

However, Marvel won’t be completely absent from Comic-Con. Other branches of the company will still have panels for comics, games, and more, and with The Fantastic Four: First Steps opening in theaters during the convention, there will be a significant presence on the convention floor, including an immersive booth. Marvel is also promising “other surprises,” which could include a range of possibilities. Additionally, fans can look forward to Marvel’s presence at CCXP in Mexico, where they will be sharing news and footage from Fantastic Four.

Are you disappointed that Marvel won’t be hosting a Hall H panel this year? Do you think DC will fill the slot? Let us know your thoughts below.

For more io9 news, check out our coverage of upcoming Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, as well as the latest on the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.