Marvel Studios has finally pulled back the curtain on the much-anticipated Avengers: Doomsday (2026) cast. The upcoming film, which promises to be a crossover event like no other, boasts an impressive ensemble of returning heroes, newcomers, and even members of the Fantastic Four. Yet, as with any major Marvel event, the official lineup raises as many questions as it answers. The most pressing of these: why are certain fan-favorite heroes missing?
The Road to ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Has Been Far from Smooth
Few films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) have faced as many hurdles as Avengers: Doomsday. Originally announced as Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, the film’s production took a major hit when Jonathan Majors, set to play the multiverse saga’s primary antagonist, faced serious legal trouble in 2023. The allegations against him led to his removal from the project, and suddenly, Marvel’s carefully laid plans were upended.
Simultaneously, the MCU itself has been struggling to maintain the same level of enthusiasm it once did during the Infinity Saga. Following the monumental success of Avengers: Endgame, Marvel has grappled with box office slumps and mixed critical reception. With Avengers: Doomsday set to anchor the next era of the MCU, the stakes couldn’t be higher. In response, Marvel made a bold move: they brought back Robert Downey Jr. But not as Iron Man—this time, he’ll be portraying none other than Doctor Doom, the new overarching villain.
A Star-Studded Ensemble with Some Surprising Additions
Marvel’s Avengers: Doomsday cast is packed with heavy hitters.
Some familiar faces are rejoining the fray, including Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Tom Hiddleston (Loki), Anthony Mackie (Sam Wilson/Captain America), and Paul Rudd (Ant-Man). Letitia Wright (Black Panther), Simu Liu (Shang-Chi), and Winston Duke (M’Baku) are also set to reprise their roles. The inclusion of characters from the upcoming Thunderbolts (2025) film adds a thrilling twist, with Florence Pugh (Yelena Belova) and Wyatt Russell (John Walker/U.S. Agent) set to return.
What’s more, Marvel is bringing back X-Men icons from the 2000s. Patrick Stewart will once again take on the role of Professor X, joined by Ian McKellen as Magneto, James Marsden as Cyclops, and Rebecca Romijn as Mystique. These iconic actors were central to the 2000s X-Men films, which played a pivotal role in shaping the superhero movie landscape. Alan Cumming (Nightcrawler) and Kelsey Grammer (Beast) are also set to make appearances, while Channing Tatum will finally bring his long-rumored Gambit to the big screen.
As if that weren’t enough, Avengers: Doomsday will also feature a fresh take on Marvel’s First Family—the Fantastic Four. Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn will all star in pivotal roles as Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Woman, The Thing, and Human Torch, respectively.
The Heroes Who Aren’t Returning
While the roster for Avengers: Doomsday is undeniably impressive, some glaring omissions have left fans scratching their heads. The most notable is Spider-Man, with Tom Holland absent from the list of confirmed cast members. Given Holland’s busy schedule, which includes starring in The Odyssey and a Spider-Man sequel, his absence from such a major film is unexpected—though it may not be the final word on his participation.
Another major absence is that of Chris Pratt’s Star-Lord. Following the events of Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 3 (2023), fans were hoping for his return, especially given the film’s deepening focus on the Multiverse. Likewise, Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange is notably absent, although Cumberbatch had hinted that his character might not return until Avengers: Secret Wars (2027).
Fans of Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel may also be disappointed. Despite early speculation that Larson would lead the new Avengers team, her character’s absence from the lineup is surprising—especially given the stakes of the Doomsday event. One possible explanation? Larson’s character may still be out in space, continuing her cosmic duties.
Likewise, Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk is missing, despite his training of his son, Skaar, in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. It’s unclear whether Ruffalo’s absence is part of a broader strategy to give the character a break, or if there’s more to the story.
More Surprises Ahead?
As with any major Marvel production, the cast of Avengers: Doomsday is likely to evolve as we move closer to the film’s release. Marvel Studios is notorious for keeping secrets, and with the film’s Multiverse setting, it’s entirely possible that more variants of familiar characters will make an appearance. Rumors of an alternate Iron Man, possibly played by Tom Cruise, continue to swirl—though nothing has been confirmed.
For now, though, we can only speculate about what Marvel has in store. With its star-studded cast, ambitious storyline, and unpredictable twists, Avengers: Doomsday is shaping up to be a cinematic event unlike anything we’ve seen before. But will the missing superheroes make a surprise appearance? Only time will tell.
Who would you like to see appear in Avengers: Doomsday?
