Marvel has finally pulled back the curtain on Marvel Zombies, its blood-soaked animated spinoff designed for mature audiences. The newly released trailer doesn’t shy away from its gruesome tone, offering fans an unapologetic first taste of what a zombie apocalypse inside the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) might really look like. 
Clocking in just under two minutes, the teaser is charged with the chaotic energy of Babymetal and Poppy’s 2025 track “from me to u,” setting the stage for a violent spectacle that debuts on Disney+ September 24.
The preview showcases heroes like Blade, Ms. Marvel, Shang-Chi, Spider-Man, and a host of others battling through relentless hordes of the undead. In quick flashes, we catch eerie glimpses of zombified versions of Marvel mainstays such as Hawkeye, Abomination, and Namor, assembled into a grotesque new army. Yelena Belova grimly warns that “the Avengers are dead,” underscoring the bleak reality of this timeline. Yet amidst the carnage comes the biggest reveal: Blade Knight.
This version of Blade isn’t the anticipated Mahershala Ali-led interpretation set for live-action. Instead, audiences are treated to a reimagined Moon Knight-inspired version of the Daywalker, voiced by Todd Williams, known for Invincible and Starfield. Blade Knight emerges as a gothic standout, armored and merciless, offering fans an alternative take while Ali’s portrayal continues to develop behind the scenes. It’s a bold move that both honors and reimagines one of Marvel’s most iconic characters, giving longtime fans something unexpected to dissect.
Yet Marvel isn’t solely relying on reinvention. The trailer confirms that several beloved MCU actors are returning to voice their characters. The roster includes Elizabeth Olsen (Scarlet Witch), Paul Rudd (Ant-Man), Florence Pugh (Yelena Belova), David Harbour (Red Guardian), Tessa Thompson (Valkyrie), Simu Liu (Shang-Chi), Awkwafina (Katy), Hailee Steinfeld (Kate Bishop), Wyatt Russell (U.S. Agent), Randall Park (Jimmy Woo), Iman Vellani (Ms. Marvel), and Dominique Thorne (Ironheart). Their presence ensures that even amid this alternate, gory reality, the familiar voices of the MCU remain intact.
This isn’t Marvel’s first flirtation with zombie-infested storylines. Fans will remember the lighter, more experimental version that appeared in Marvel’s What If…?. However, where What If…? offered a brief taste with relatively restrained violence, Marvel Zombies doubles down with a four-part series explicitly designed to push boundaries. The TV-MA rating signals Marvel’s intent: this isn’t your standard MCU side story but rather a dedicated plunge into horror and gore rarely attempted in superhero animation.
Reception to the trailer has been enthusiastic but not without debate. Some fans celebrate the series’ refusal to hold back on brutality, thrilled that Marvel is finally embracing the darker corners of its universe. Others are more hesitant, expressing frustration at the animation style, which closely resembles What If…?. Critics argue it looks too polished compared to the raw energy of X-Men ’97 or even the latest Spider-Man animated projects. Beyond visuals, purists of the original Marvel Zombies comics question the creative choice to steer away from the sentient, self-aware undead that made the comics so distinct.
Still, the inclusion of Blade Knight, combined with the return of fan-favorite actors, has injected fresh excitement into the franchise. For all the stylistic quibbles, Marvel Zombies is shaping up to be one of the boldest Disney+ spinoffs to date – a bloody, unconventional experiment that may just carve its own cult following in the MCU’s sprawling legacy.
1 comment
wish a few fan favs survived, feels like they always pick the goofiest ppl as the humans