Following the exciting reveal of 26 new cast members for the much-anticipated Avengers: Doomsday, Marvel Studios and Robert Downey Jr. have hinted that more announcements are on the horizon. The cast was unveiled during a comprehensive livestream, sparking discussions among fans and setting the stage for the start of production.
One of the standout announcements was Channing Tatum reprising his role as the beloved X-Men character Gambit. Fans can explore the complete Avengers: Doomsday cast list for more details.
However, the absence of several key Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) characters has not gone unnoticed. Notably missing from the lineup are Tom Holland's Spider-Man and Chris Evans, who had been rumored to return either for Avengers: Doomsday or Secret Wars. Evans himself later refuted these rumors. Other absent characters include the Hulk, Hawkeye, Nick Fury, Rhodey, and from the X-Men side, Deadpool, Wolverine, Storm, and Jean Grey.
The fanbase expressed a mix of disappointment and anticipation, hoping for more surprises. Robert Downey Jr., transitioning from Iron Man to Doctor Doom, fueled this excitement with an Instagram post, suggesting that the announced cast is just the beginning. "That’s what u call a deep bench of talent," he remarked, hinting at more to come. Marvel echoed this sentiment in the comments, stating, "there's always room for more," while the Russo Brothers, the film's directors, cryptically added, "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 up its sleeve for Avengers: Doomsday. Fans are left speculating on who else might join the fray. Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below.
The Russo brothers, who are co-directing, have described Avengers 5 and 6 as a "new beginning" that will set the stage for the future of the MCU in Phase 7. Joe Russo emphasized their focus on creating complex 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, followed by Secret Wars in May 2027. Leading up to these, fans can look forward to Thunderbolts* in May 2025, the TV series Ironheart in June, and the launch of Phase 6 with The Fantastic Four: First Steps in July.
Additionally, Marvel Studios has added three untitled movie projects to its 2028 schedule, with release dates set for February 18, May 5, and November 10. Speculation is rife that one of these could be the long-awaited X-Men film.
