In the wake of announcing 26 new cast members for the highly anticipated Avengers: Doomsday, Marvel and Robert Downey Jr. have hinted that more surprises are on the horizon. Just yesterday, Marvel unveiled the cast list during an extensive livestream, confirming the actors who will be joining Robert Downey Jr. in the superhero epic, and marking the beginning of production.
Among the notable announcements, fans were thrilled to learn that Channing Tatum will reprise his role as the beloved X-Men character, Gambit. You can explore the full Avengers: Doomsday cast list [ttpp].
However, eagle-eyed fans quickly noticed some glaring absences from the lineup. Iconic characters like Tom Holland's Spider-Man, Chris Evans' Captain America, and others such as Hulk, Hawkeye, Nick Fury, and Rhodey were missing from the roster. On the X-Men front, Deadpool, Wolverine, Storm, and Jean Grey were also notably absent.
The omission of these fan-favorite characters sparked disappointment among the Marvel community. Yet, hope remains, as Robert Downey Jr., who will portray Doctor Doom after his iconic run as Iron Man, posted a tantalizing message on Instagram. He 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?"
The Most Surprising Avengers and Marvel Characters Not Announced for Doomsday
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Marvel's response in the comments section added fuel to the speculation, suggesting "there's always room for more." The Russo Brothers, who are directing the film, chimed in with a cryptic message, "It's time…"
It's clear that Marvel has more announcements up its sleeve for Avengers: Doomsday. The big question remains: which other heroes and villains will join the fray? Share your predictions and hopes in the comments below.
Earlier this month, the Russo Brothers shared their vision for Avengers 5 and 6 as a "new beginning," setting the stage for the future of the MCU in Phase 7. Joe Russo elaborated, "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 in May 2027. Before these cinematic events, 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.
In a recent development, Marvel Studios added three untitled films to its 2028 schedule, set for release on February 18, May 5, and November 10. Speculation is rife that one of these projects could be the much-anticipated X-Men film.
