Fans Spot H.E.R.B.I.E.'s New Look in AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY Trailer and They Are Not Happy
Marvel Studios unleashed the first trailer for Avengers: Doomsday, and fans have been picking it apart frame by frame ever since.
There are plenty of big moments to talk about, including the return of Steve Rogers proving he's still worthy by summoning Mjölnir, our first look at Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom, and appearances from characters like Loki, Cyclops, Sue Storm, Yelena, and many more.
But while everyone expected the internet to explode over those massive reveals, one tiny detail hidden in the trailer has sparked an unexpected debate. It turns out fans are surprisingly protective of everyone's favorite Fantastic Four robot, H.E.R.B.I.E.
H.E.R.B.I.E. made his MCU debut in The Fantastic Four: First Steps alongside Marvel's First Family. Sure, fans had plenty of jokes about the lovable little robot when he first appeared, but it seems they've grown pretty attached to him.
That's why eagle-eyed viewers were quick to notice that H.E.R.B.I.E. looks noticeably different during his brief appearance in the Doomsday trailer.
The redesign only appears on screen for a moment, but it's enough to tell that something has changed. Whether it's an upgraded body, new technology, or repairs following the damage he suffered in First Steps, H.E.R.B.I.E. definitely isn't sporting the same look anymore.
The problem is that a lot of fans simply don't like it. One X post pointing out the redesign has been flooded with reactions from disappointed viewers. One fan summed up their feelings with a simple response: "How dare they,"
Others were even more dramatic about the changes. One commenter writes, "From soul to soulless? Poor guy," while another says, "What have they done to my boy."
The replies are also packed with reaction GIFs expressing frustration, confusion, and disbelief. Some fans have even singled out the Russo brothers while venting about the redesign, while others think the updated appearance could simply be a merchandising decision.
Giving H.E.R.B.I.E. a fresh look for Doomsday certainly creates another version of the character that can be turned into toys and collectibles.
It's also entirely possible that Avengers: Doomsday won't even address why H.E.R.B.I.E. suddenly looks different. Maybe Reed Richards upgraded him. Maybe he rebuilt himself after First Steps. Or maybe Marvel simply wanted a refreshed design and won't explain it at all.
In the grand scheme of things, H.E.R.B.I.E.'s appearance isn't exactly the biggest mystery heading into Avengers: Doomsday. There are far more pressing questions surrounding Doctor Doom, the multiverse, and the returning heroes.
Still, it's funny to see just how much affection fans have developed for the little robot in such a short amount of time. If Marvel was expecting this redesign to slip under the radar, they seriously underestimated the internet's ability to spot even the smallest change.
Now we'll just have to wait and see if H.E.R.B.I.E.'s updated look has a story behind it... or if Marvel has simply committed one of the most controversial robot makeovers in the MCU.