Marvel fans were amused as the stars of Thunderbolts* mocked the recent casting announcement trend from Avengers: Doomsday.
The upcoming Avengers film, the fifth in the series, unveiled its vast ensemble cast – which includes Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Mackie and Paul Rudd – by panning to a chair, each of which included an actor’s name printed on the back.
The style of announcement has seemingly created somewhat of a trend after Renée Zellweger’s casting in Only Murders in the Building was announced in similar fashion, and the cast of the latest MCU film, Thunderbolts*, have poked fun at the trend.
Sebastian Stan and David Harbour, who play Bucky Barnes and Red Guardian respectively, were at the centre of the latest promotional video for the film via Instagram, with Stan beginning by teasing an “announcement”.
“You’re going to want to sit down for this. Hey, can we get some chairs in here?” quipped Harbour as he referenced the Avengers: Doomsday casting announcement, with Stan replying: “They took all the chairs.”
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The wry remark – which was to promote tickets going on sale – caught the attention of Marvel fans in the comment section, with several expressing their amusement at the joke as they acknowledged that they “understood the reference”.
“MARVEL IS MAKING JOKES AT THEMSELVES,” wrote another excited fan, whilst another noted that the marketing for Thunderbolts* had been “great”. These sentiments were echoed by another fan, who wrote that they were “loving” the marketing campaign.
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“The Chairs’ are so epic now 😅🔥❤️, and they'll be referenced for all time, always 😁🤘…” noted another fan as they predicted the trend’s staying power, whilst another remarked: “Hahaha nicely done Marvel. Don’t take yourself too seriously and look [at] what happens.”
Thunderbolts*, the 36th film in the MCU, follows the titular group – a ragtag bunch of antiheroes – as they are caught in a deadly trap and forced to work together on a “dangerous” mission to save themselves.
Thunderbolts* will be released in UK cinemas on May 1, and US cinemas on May 2. Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled to be released in cinemas on May 1, 2026.
Reporter, Digital Spy George is a freelance writer who specialises in Movies and TV. After graduating with a degree in Film Studies and Journalism from De Montfort University, in which he analysed the early works of Richard Linklater for his dissertation, he wrote for several websites for GRV Media. His film tastes vary from blockbusters like Mission: Impossible and John Wick to international directors such as Paolo Sorrentino and Hirokazu Kore-eda, and has attended both the London and Berlin film festivals.
