Marvel unveils superhero-packed 'Avengers: Infinity War' trailer

The Avengers charge into battle in this image from the trailer for Marvel's 'Avengers: Infinity War.'

As promised, Marvel has revealed the first footage from its next "Avengers" movie with a trailer released Wednesday.  "Avengers: Infinity War" is slated for release in North American theaters May 4, 2018.

They're back: Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow, Captain America, Doctor Strange, Spider-Man, Black Panther (who also gets a solo movie just before) and even Star-Lord from the "Guardians of the Galaxy." Together, they will have to put in-fighting and grudges aside and work together to defeat Thanos, a despot of intergalactic infamy who is threatening to destroy the universe.

Directors Joe and Anthony Russo -- who directed the two most recent "Captain America" movies -- take over from Joss Whedon, who launched the "Avengers" movie franchise in 2012. His "Avengers" picture is now the fifth highest-grossing movie worldwide, with $1.5 billion, while the 2015 sequel, "Avengers: Age Ultron," follows in seventh place, grossing $1.4 billion worldwide.