Marvel trailers are basically their own multiverse at this point. Characters disappear, scenes get altered, and sometimes Marvel literally creates footage that never appears in the movie.
The Russo brothers have even admitted they use alternate footage and CGI manipulation to stop fans from figuring out major spoilers. Here are some of the best examples.
1. Hulk Fighting in Wakanda in “Avengers: Infinity War”
The Infinity War trailer famously shows Hulk charging into battle with Captain America, Black Panther, and the Avengers. But Hulk never fights in Wakanda. Bruce Banner uses the Hulkbuster armor instead. Joe Russo later confirmed that the Hulk version of the shot was created specifically for the trailer.
Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Infinity War Official Trailer
2. Thor Still Had Both Eyes in “Thor: Ragnarok”
Hela destroys Thor’s right eye near the end of Thor: Ragnarok. But promotional footage showed later scenes with Thor still having both eyes, hiding the injury before release.
“Thor: Ragnarok” Official Trailer
Marvel later used similar tricks to conceal his eyepatch in early Infinity War promotion. Thor initially appeared with two eyes when meeting the Guardians, even though Ragnarok leaves him wearing an eyepatch.
3. Spider-Man and Iron Man Flying Together in “Spider-Man: Homecoming”
One of the most recognizable Homecoming trailer shots shows Spider-Man swinging through Queens beside Iron Man. That scene never happened. Director Jon Watts confirmed the marketing team specifically created the shot because they wanted a cool image of Spider-Man and Iron Man together.
SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING – Official Trailer (HD)
4. Professor Hulk Was Removed in “Avengers: Endgame”
An Endgame trailer shows Rocket entering Thor’s house in New Asgard seemingly alone. In the movie, Professor Hulk is standing right behind him. Marvel simply removed Hulk from the trailer so audiences wouldn’t discover his new form.
Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Endgame | “Awesome” TV Spot
5. Marvel Hid Fat Thor in “Avengers: Endgame”
Marvel also kept Thor’s post-snap appearance secret. After the five-year time jump, Thor looks completely different, but the trailers carefully avoided revealing his weight gain and changed appearance. Some promotional footage was altered specifically to protect the surprise.
Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Endgame – Official Trailer
6. Marvel Removed Mjölnir in “Avengers: Endgame”
Marvel didn’t only erase characters. Important objects were removed too. Mjolnir was hidden from promotional footage because its return would have spoiled one of the movie’s biggest moments: Captain America finally wielding Thor’s hammer against Thanos.
Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Endgame – Official Trailer
7. Tobey and Andrew Became Invisible in “Spider-Man: No Way Home”
The No Way Home trailer shows Tom Holland jumping toward Sandman, Electro, and Lizard alone. But in the finished movie, Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield are fighting beside him. One trailer version even showed Lizard getting kicked by apparently nobody because Andrew Garfield had been digitally removed.
SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME – Official Trailer (HD)
8. Thanos Had Fewer Infinity Stones in “Avengers: Infinity War”
Marvel even altered the Infinity Gauntlet. In promotional footage, Thanos appears to have fewer Infinity Stones when fighting Captain America in Wakanda.
In the actual movie, he already has five. The Stones were apparently removed so fans couldn’t figure out how successful Thanos would be before the movie was released.