Summary
- Marvel’s announcement for the Avengers: Doomsday cast left out key figures, hinting at additional surprises ahead.
- The delineated cast reveal has ignited debates regarding possible spoilers and the anticipated return of fan-favorite characters.
- Marvel has a prolific history of resurrecting characters, suggesting that further unexpected cameos may debut in Phase Six.
In a recent unveiling, Marvel Studios disclosed its roster of actors returning to their roles in Avengers: Doomsday. However, this cast list appears to only scratch the surface of what’s to come. While some selections were anticipated, others caught audiences off-guard, and notably, several prominent names were conspicuously absent.
Marvel has mastered the art of generating buzz, even through a simple arrangement of director’s chairs bearing the names of actors. This strategy was effectively employed during the Avengers: Doomsday cast announcement but surprisingly left out many beloved characters fans were eager to see. Nonetheless, it is assured that all fan favorites will make their presence felt in Avengers: Doomsday, and for those who don’t make the cut, they’re likely to return in the subsequent Secret Wars.
Who’s Going To Be In Avengers: Doomsday?
Marvel’s Viral Chair Livestream Hides Big Casting Secrets
| Confirmed Cast Member | MCU Character |
|---|---|
| Chris Hemsworth | Thor |
| Vanessa Kirby | Sue Storm aka The Invisible Woman |
| Anthony Mackie | Sam Wilson aka Captain America |
| Sebastian Stan | Bucky Barnes |
| Letitia Wright | Shuri aka Black Panther |
| Paul Rudd | Scott Lang aka Ant-Man |
| Wyatt Russell | John Walker aka U.S. Agent |
| Tenoch Huerta | Mejia Namor |
| Ebon Moss-Bachrach | Ben Grimm aka The Thing |
| Simu Liu | Shang-Chi |
| Florence Pugh | Yelena Belova |
| Kelsey Grammer | Hank McCoy aka Beast |
| Lewis Pullman | Bob aka Sentry |
| Danny Ramirez | Joaquin Torres aka The Falcon |
| Joseph Quinn | Johnny Storm aka The Human Torch |
| David Harbour | Alexi Shostakov aka Red Guardian |
| Winston Duke | M’Baku |
| Hannah John-Kamen | Ava Starr aka Ghost |
| Tom Hiddleston | Loki |
| Patrick Stewart | Charles Xavier aka Professor X |
| Ian McKellen | Erik Lehnsherr aka Magneto |
| Alan Cumming | Kurt Wagner aka Nightcrawler |
| Rebecca Romijn | Mystique |
| James Marsden | Scott Summers aka Cyclops |
| Channing Tatum | Remy LeBeau aka Gambit |
| Pedro Pascal | Reed Richards aka Mr. Fantastic |
| Robert Downey Jr. | Victor Von Doom aka Doctor Doom |
The journey for Avengers: Doomsday commenced on March 26 with a quirky promotional livestream that spanned five hours, displaying only directors’ chairs named after cast members. Among those included were recognizable names like Chris Hemsworth and Paul Rudd, along with newcomers from Thunderbolts and The Fantastic Four, punctuated by unexpected appearances from X-Men icons Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen. The stream culminated in a dramatic moment where Robert Downey Jr. himself took a seat, confirming his portrayal of Doctor Doom.
Nevertheless, several key figures were noticeably absent, such as Tom Holland’s Spider-Man, Elizabeth Olsen’s Wanda Maximoff, Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange, and Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk. This unconventional marketing approach was a calculated strategy by Marvel. Viewers should interpret the provided cast list with caution, as some names may signal mere cameos or intentionally misleading decoys, particularly with the narrative trajectory potentially influenced by future titles like The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
Watch the Announcement
Marvel has a precedent of using deceptive footage to keep audiences guessing. They have openly indicated that the cast lineup for Avengers: Doomsday is incomplete. Robert Downey Jr. referenced the latest announcements in a playful Instagram comment:
That’s what you call a deep bench of talent… actually, it’s more like a row, but an extra-long one… that must be it… right?
The official Marvel account replied cryptically:
There’s always room for more…
Did The Avengers: Doomsday Cast Reveal Work?
Fans Worry Marvel Gave Away Too Many Spoilers
The cast announcement for Avengers: Doomsday faced some criticism, particularly regarding its pacing and the implications of each reveal on the broader storyline. For instance, the confirmation of Lewis Pullman as Bob/Sentry, who is rumored to be the film’s antagonist, feels counterintuitive. Knowing that Sentry survives along with other Thunderbolts could potentially diminish narrative stakes for viewers.
Additionally, announcing Tom Hiddleston’s return as Loki—a key character who underwent significant transformation in Loki Season 2—dilutes the anticipated surprise. The same concern applies to the announcements around Magneto and Professor X, whose appearances could have left a more considerable impact if unveiled within the context of the film or a trailer. Nonetheless, if audiences analyze these choices, it becomes evident that Marvel has a strategy behind them.
Avengers: Doomsday’s Cast List Is Just The Beginning
More X-Men, Former Avengers, & Spider-Man’s Likely Return
Overall, the cast list for Avengers: Doomsday indicates a revival of nearly every character in one manner or another. The inclusion of the X-Men has been long-anticipated, particularly with the rising popularity of Deadpool and Wolverine. Thus, beyond the initial announcements, fans can expect more X-Men characters, potentially including younger iterations seen in X-Men: First Class. In the MCU, possibilities are endless.
Moreover, it’s possible past Avengers actors could reintegrate into the narrative in varied roles, similar to Robert Downey Jr.’s portrayal of Victor Von Doom or even Chris Evans possibly returning as the Human Torch in the upcoming Deadpool & Wolverine. Arguably the most significant absence remains Tom Holland’s Spider-Man, who will likely make an appearance—perhaps even in a post-credit scene. With Spider-Man 4 set for release between Doomsday and Secret Wars, it’s a prime opportunity for his character to assume a larger part in the ongoing saga. Would Kevin Feige overlook such a chance? Very unlikely.
The MCU Will Keep Resurrecting Heroes Forever
Avengers: Doomsday Continues the Trend
After the events of Avengers: Endgame, it appeared that the heroes’ journey was concluding, particularly for the original Avengers. While some returns, like Thor’s journey, seemed natural, Robert Downey Jr.’s return as Iron Man underscores a fundamental reality: no MCU character is ever truly deceased, and no actor genuinely retires. As humorously depicted in Deadpool, Marvel will keep resurrecting characters until actors reach their nineties. Events like Doomsday and Secret Wars were always designed to usher back Marvel’s most iconic figures.
275 million views. 50+ trending topics. 27 chairs. 5+ hours. One massive thank you to the greatest fans in the universe. pic.twitter.com/uS6hrX8Zyp
— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) March 28, 2025
A prime example is Patrick Stewart’s Professor X, who has been portrayed in various timelines, often meeting his demise multiple times. The active utilization of the multiverse and time travel creates a complex narrative landscape, with potential risks feeling diminished for the audience. The same applies to Avengers: Doomsday, as Marvel’s storytelling capabilities and legal rights empower them to reintroduce almost any character they desire. Fans can only hope the Russo brothers effectively handle this vast ensemble.