In the wake of the exciting announcement of 26 new cast members for the eagerly anticipated Avengers: Doomsday, Marvel and Robert Downey Jr. have hinted that the surprises are far from over. The cast reveal was shared through an extensive livestream, marking the beginning of production and confirming the return of several beloved actors alongside Robert Downey Jr., who will portray Doctor Doom after his iconic role as Iron Man.
A notable highlight was the confirmation that Channing Tatum will reprise his role as the fan-favorite X-Men character, Gambit. You can explore the complete Avengers: Doomsday cast list here.
However, fans quickly noticed the absence of several key Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) characters from the announced lineup. Notable omissions include Tom Holland’s Spider-Man, Chris Evans’ Captain America, and other stalwarts like Hulk, Hawkeye, Nick Fury, and Rhodey. On the X-Men front, characters such as Deadpool, Wolverine, Storm, and Jean Grey are also missing from the list.
The absence of these beloved characters sparked disappointment among fans, but hope remains. Following the announcement, Robert Downey Jr. took to Instagram to tease that there is much more in store, stating, "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 responded in the comments, suggesting that "there's always room for more." Additionally, the Russo Brothers, who are directing the film, added to the excitement with the simple statement: "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 has more announcements planned for Avengers: Doomsday. Speculation is rife about which other heroes and villains might join the fray. What are your predictions? Let us know 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 the next phase of the MCU. Joe Russo emphasized their approach to character development, 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 epic 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, with dates set for February 18, 2028; May 5, 2028; and November 10, 2028. Speculation suggests that one of these films could be the long-awaited X-Men movie.
