Friends, finally, after weeks devoid of MCU-related news, there has been a deluge of new information over the last few days. I’m excited to dive right into it, but first, here are a few quick reminders.

• The Daredevil episodes previously released exclusively on FFW+ are now being released on the main feed. Robby and Kyle recorded three episodes for each season of the show. The first of the episodes covering season one was released last week, and the second is on its way. All nine episodes covering the whole series will be on the main feed ahead of Daredevil: Born Again, which premieres on March 4th.

• FFW+ subscribers will be treated to a Screensaver mid-season check-in podcast on Silo with Kyle tomorrow *and* your exclusive artwork prints will be going in the mail in the next few days!

• Finally, the Friends From Work merch store is having a blowout sale. Everything in the store is 50% off. Get your merch here before it’s gone.

Now, without further ado…

THE WATERCOOLER

THIS WEEK IN THE MCU

• The week's bombshell news was that none other than Chris Evans will be returning to the MCU for Avengers: Doomsday. First reported by The Wrap and then corroborated by Variety, Deadline, and others, the news caused a brief kerfuffle on our Discord server about what constitutes legitimate news and what should be treated as leaks or rumors. Let there be no doubt- this qualifies unequivocally as news, and we can’t ignore it here at FFW. Moving forward, we’ve added a “breaking news” channel to the server, though, in an effort to shield our most spoiler-averse listeners and members as much as possible from any news they want to try and avoid. For everyone else, be sure to check out Robby’s theory about what this all means for Avengers: Doomsday.

• That wasn’t the only big casting news for Avengers: Doomsday. Late Friday, Deadline reported that Hayley Atwell will also reprise her Infinity Saga role of Agent Peggy Carter in the movie. Details were scarce on exactly what role Evans and Atwell would play in the movie or even what versions of their characters they would be playing.

• Just over two months before Captain America: Brave New World comes to theaters, Marvel Studios released a one-minute special look at the movie. More interestingly, Marvel UK released an *extended* special look, which you can and should watch above. In the extended look, President Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford) mentions rebuilding the Avengers and mentions “adamantium” for the first time in the MCU.

• Captain America: Brave New World is also the cover story in the new issue of Empire Magazine. Journalist Jordan King got some great quotes from everyone associated with the movie. First, Harrison Ford on joining the MCU:Followed by Tim Blake Nelson on how they achieved the infamously elongated head of The Leader for the movie:Finally, producer Nate Moore talked about what this movie means for the future of Captain America and The Avengers:

• What If…? released the full line-up of episode titles and their premiere dates for the final season, which begins on December 22nd.

• Golden Globe nominations were announced last week, and Marvel Studios received multiple nominations. Deadpool & Wolverine was nominated for “Cinematic and Box Office Achievement,” and Kathryn Hahn was nominated for “Best Performance by an Actress” in a television series (comedy or musical) for her portrayal of Agatha Harkness in Agatha All Along.

• In addition to the big legacy names from the Infinity Saga, several other actors have confirmed their involvement in Avengers: Doomsday, and it sounds like they just can’t wait to work with the Russo Brothers and Robert Downey Jr. again.

  • Benedict Cumberbatch told Japanese outlet TVgroove, “I'm really excited not only to work with the Russo Brothers again, but to have Robert Downey Jr. returning as Doctor Doom. I think there's going to be some really cool developments ahead.”

  • Anthony Mackie told Empire, “I’m really looking forward to getting back on set with the Russos. They understand this Marvel world in a very unique way. And just having him [Downey Jr] back adds so much. To see what he brings to the table is just a huge opportunity.”

BEYOND THE MULTIVERSE

• Kraven the Hunter was dead on arrival at the box office this weekend. The final (?) movie in the “Sony Universe of Marvel Characters” was greeted with abysmal reviews, both from critics (15% Rotten Tomatoes score) and audiences (“C” Cinemascore). Several bottles of digital ink were spilled trying to explain where Sony went wrong and where they should go from here. Check out pieces from Variety, Deadline, and The Wrap if you dare.

TRUE BELIEVERS RUMOR OF THE WEEK

This is just a quick reminder that this section of The Watercooler regularly discusses speculation and unconfirmed rumors, so feel free to skip ahead if you want to stay completely in the dark.

• Speculation about Chris Evans's role in Avengers: Doomsday is already running rampant. One credible but unconfirmed rumor is that he will play a Nomad version of Steve Rogers in the film.

• Daniel Richtman claims that the current cut of Captain America: Brave New World clocks in at two hours and four minutes.

• As Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars creep ever closer, it will be important for Marvel Studios to get all their chess pieces onto the board. One of the biggest chess pieces for the studio is Captain Marvel. Well, in an FFW exclusive, we hear Brie Larson may join Tom Holland in Spider-Man 4.

Did you get all that? If you want to keep up with everything as it happens, make sure you are following me on Bluesky (@watercoolerffw.bsky.social). And do not forget- ALL MERCH is 50% off *right now* in the Friends From Work store!

Have a great week.

-Greg