"They Own My Scan": Kat Dennings on Avengers Doomsday and Marvel's Digital Twins

"They could put me in anything they want."Kat Dennings, known for her role as Darcy Lewis in the MCU, recently sparked a conversation about the intersection of acting and high-tech digital archiving. While clarifying her status for the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday, she revealed the extent of Marvel's 'body-scanning' practices.

Kat Dennings Avengers Doomsday Denial and VFX Reality

In a recent sit-down with Entertainment Tonight, the WandaVision star was blunt about her involvement in the next Avengers crossover. "I am not in it. And I'm telling you right now I'm not in it," Dennings stated, noting she was in Los Angeles while filming presumably took place. However, she pointed out that her physical absence might not be an absolute barrier. Because Marvel has already scanned her body, the studio technically holds a 3D digital double of the actress.

This practice isn't new for Marvel Studios. VFX supervisors, including Stephane Ceretti who worked on Ant-Man and the Wasp in 2018, have previously explained that scanning actors in various costumes is a standard procedure. These high-fidelity 3D models allow for seamless CGI transitions and perfect costume physics, but they also raise questions about digital likeness rights—a major sticking point in recent industry labor disputes.

The Massive Scale of Avengers: Doomsday

Even without Dennings, Avengers: Doomsday is shaping up to be one of the biggest cinematic events in history. Scheduled for release on December 18, 2026, the film marks the return of Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom. Directed by the Russo Brothers, the production features a sprawling cast including Pedro Pascal, Florence Pugh, and several stars from the original X-Men franchise.