Following the recent announcement of an additional 26 cast members for the much-anticipated Avengers: Doomsday, Marvel Studios and Robert Downey Jr. have hinted that more surprises are on the way. During a comprehensive livestream, Marvel unveiled the star-studded lineup joining Robert Downey Jr., who will transition from his iconic role as Iron Man to play Doctor Doom, and also confirmed the start of production for the film.
A notable highlight from the announcement was the return of Channing Tatum as the beloved X-Men character Gambit. For the full list of the Avengers: Doomsday cast, click here.
However, the absence of several key Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) figures has sparked discussion among fans. Notable omissions include Tom Holland's Spider-Man, Chris Evans' Captain America, and other fan favorites like Hulk, Hawkeye, Nick Fury, and Rhodey. On the X-Men side, characters such as Deadpool, Wolverine, Storm, and Jean Grey were also missing from the lineup.
The fan community expressed their disappointment over these exclusions, but hope remains high. In an Instagram post, Robert Downey Jr. hinted at further announcements, saying, “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 Studios echoed this sentiment in the comments, suggesting, "there's always room for more." The Russo Brothers, who are directing the film, added fuel to the speculation with the cryptic comment, "It’s time…"
The Most Surprising Avengers and Marvel Characters Not Announced for Doomsday
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It's evident that Marvel isn't finished revealing the cast for Avengers: Doomsday. Fans are left wondering which other characters will join the fray. Share your predictions in the comments section below.
Earlier this month, the Russo brothers described Avengers 5 and 6 as a "new beginning" that will set the stage for Phase 7 of the MCU. Joe Russo emphasized the importance of crafting villains who believe they are the protagonists of their own narratives, 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 to hit theaters on May 1, 2026, with Secret Wars following a year later on May 2027. Leading up to these major releases, fans can look forward to Thunderbolts* in May 2025, the TV series Ironheart in June 2025, and the kick-off of Phase 6 with The Fantastic Four: First Steps in July 2025.
Additionally, Marvel Studios has added three untitled movie projects to its 2028 release schedule, set for February 18, May 5, and November 10, fueling speculation that one of these could be an X-Men film.
