Hot on the heels of announcing 26 new cast members for the highly anticipated Avengers: Doomsday, Marvel and Robert Downey Jr. have hinted that the casting news isn't over yet. The announcement came during a detailed livestream, which not only confirmed the expansive cast joining Robert Downey Jr. but also marked the official start of production for this superhero epic.
Among the exciting reveals, fans were thrilled to learn that Channing Tatum will reprise his role as the fan-favorite X-Men character, Gambit. For a complete list of the Avengers: Doomsday cast, be sure to check it out here.
However, some notable MCU stars were absent from the list, sparking discussions and speculation among fans. Absentees include Tom Holland's Spider-Man and Chris Evans, who, despite earlier reports of his involvement in either Avengers: Doomsday or Secret Wars, later denied such claims. Other missing characters include Hulk, Hawkeye, Nick Fury, Rhodey, and from the X-Men side, Deadpool, Wolverine, Storm, and Jean Grey.
The absence of these beloved characters led to a wave of disappointment among fans. Yet, hope remains as Robert Downey Jr., who will portray Doctor Doom after his iconic run as Iron Man, teased on Instagram that more announcements are on the horizon. He commented, "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?"
The Most Surprising Avengers and Marvel Characters Not Announced for Doomsday
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Marvel further fueled speculation by responding in the comments, "there's always room for more." The Russo Brothers, who are directing the film, added to the excitement by stating, "It’s time…"
It's clear that Marvel has more surprises in store for Avengers: Doomsday. The big question now is, who else might join the fray? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below.
Earlier this month, the Russo brothers shared their vision for Avengers 5 and 6, describing them as a "new beginning" that will set the stage for Phase 7 of the MCU. Joe Russo elaborated on their approach to villains, saying, "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 to hit theaters on May 1, 2026, followed by Secret Wars in May 2027. Leading up to these releases, 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 release schedule: February 18, 2028; May 5, 2028; and November 10, 2028. Speculation is rife that one of these could be the long-awaited X-Men film.
