Following the exciting announcement of an additional 26 cast members for the highly anticipated Avengers: Doomsday, Marvel Studios and Robert Downey Jr. have hinted that more surprises are on the way. In a recent livestream, Marvel revealed the cast list and confirmed the start of production, with Robert Downey Jr. set to play the iconic Doctor Doom after his long tenure as Iron Man in the MCU.
Among the notable additions, fans were thrilled to learn that Channing Tatum will reprise his role as the beloved X-Men character Gambit. You can view the complete cast list for Avengers: Doomsday here.
However, the absence of several key MCU figures from the announced lineup has sparked curiosity and some disappointment among fans. Notable absentees include Tom Holland's Spider-Man, Chris Evans, who was rumored to return as Captain America in either Avengers: Doomsday or Secret Wars (though he later denied these rumors), as well as other fan favorites like Hulk, Hawkeye, Nick Fury, and Rhodey. On the X-Men front, characters like Deadpool, Wolverine, Storm, and Jean Grey are also missing from the list.
Despite the omissions, fans remain hopeful. In a recent Instagram post, Robert Downey Jr. teased, "That’s what u call a deep bench of talent. Actually it’s more like a row, but an extra long one… That must be it.. right?" Marvel added to the excitement in the comments, stating, "there's always room for more." The Russo Brothers, directors of the film, chimed in with, "It’s time…"
The Most Surprising Avengers and Marvel Characters Not Announced for Doomsday
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With these teasers, it's clear that Marvel isn't finished revealing the cast for Avengers: Doomsday. Fans are eager to speculate on who else might join the fray. Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below.
Earlier this month, the Russo Brothers described Avengers 5 and Avengers 6 as a "new beginning" that will set the stage for the future of the MCU in Phase 7. Joe Russo elaborated on their approach to villains, stating, "The only thing I’ll say about the movie is this: we love villains who think they’re the heroes of their own stories. That’s when they become three-dimensional and they become more interesting. When you have an actor like Robert Downey, you have to create a three-dimensional, well-shaped character for the audience. That’s where a lot of our focus is going."
Avengers: Doomsday is slated for release on May 1, 2026, with Secret Wars following in May 2027. Leading up to these epic films, fans can look forward to Thunderbolts* in May 2025, the TV series Ironheart in June, and the kickoff of Phase 6 with The Fantastic Four: First Steps in July.
Additionally, Marvel Studios has added three untitled movie projects to its 2028 schedule: February 18, 2028; May 5, 2028; and November 10, 2028. Speculation suggests that one of these may introduce the X-Men to the MCU.
