Marvel Studios Announces Star-Studded Cast
Marvel Studios has officially revealed the cast of Avengers: Doomsday, set for release in May 2026. The ensemble features returning MCU veterans, newcomers, and several original X-Men actors from the Fox era.
The announcement was made through a series of videos released overnight. The film marks the first Avengers movie since 2019’s Avengers: Endgame, which grossed over $2.79 billion globally.
#AvengersDoomsday. Now in production. pic.twitter.com/syykJ57W1l
— Marvel Entertainment (@Marvel) March 26, 2025
Returning MCU Stars Join the Line-Up
Chris Hemsworth reprises his role as Thor, alongside Anthony Mackie’s Captain America and Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes. Paul Rudd returns as Ant-Man, and Tom Hiddleston continues as Loki. Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, and Tenoch Huerta Mejía join from Black Panther, while Simu Liu returns as Shang-Chi. Florence Pugh and David Harbour, set to appear in Thunderbolts, will also feature.
Figure 1: Chris Hemsworth reprises his role as Thor
Wyatt Russell returns as US Agent, with Danny Ramirez as the new Falcon. Hannah John-Kamen reprises her role as Ghost, and Lewis Pullman joins as Sentry.
X-Men Legends Reunite in the MCU
Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen reprise their roles as Professor X and Magneto. Stewart last played Charles Xavier in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. McKellen was last seen as Magneto in X-Men: Days of Future Past.
Figure 2: Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen returns as Professor X and Magneto
Kelsey Grammer returns as Beast after appearing in The Marvels post-credits scene. Rebecca Romijn, James Marsden, and Alan Cumming also reprise their roles as Mystique, Cyclops, and Nightcrawler. Channing Tatum, who portrayed Gambit in Deadpool & Wolverine, will also appear in the film.
Fantastic Four Joins the Avengers
Vanessa Kirby and Pedro Pascal join the MCU as Sue Storm and Reed Richards. Ebon Moss-Bachrach plays Ben Grimm, and Joseph Quinn stars as Johnny Storm. Their debut in Fantastic Four: First Steps precedes their appearance in Avengers: Doomsday. The film releases in July 2025, almost a year before Doomsday.
Figure 3: Vanessa Kirby joins MCU as Sue Storm
Marvel’s Strategic Move to Regain Box Office Success
Marvel aims to restore its box office dominance after recent underperformances. The Marvels grossed $206 million, making it the lowest-grossing MCU film. Captain America: Brave New World earned $401 million worldwide. The Infinity Saga delivered significant success, with 23 films contributing to Marvel’s record-breaking revenues. However, the Multiverse Saga has faced challenges, including Eternals and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania receiving low critic scores.
Marvel’s television productions have also seen mixed results. Loki and WandaVision achieved strong viewership and positive reviews. However, Falcon and the Winter Soldier and Secret Invasion struggled to make an impact.
Robert Downey Jr. Returns as Doctor Doom
Robert Downey Jr. returns to the MCU, but not as Iron Man. He takes on the role of Doctor Doom, a central antagonist in the upcoming Avengers films.
“New mask. Same task,” Downey Jr. told fans. “Boy, I tell you, I like playing complicated characters.”
Figure 4: Robert Downey Jr. unveils himself as Doctor Doom at 2024 San Diego Comic-Con
Directors Anthony and Joe Russo, who previously helmed Avengers: Endgame, return for Avengers: Doomsday. Joe Russo commented on the film’s approach to character development.
“The only thing I’ll say about the movie is this: we love villains who think they are the heroes of their own stories,” Russo said. “That’s when they become three-dimensional and when they become more interesting. And when you have an actor like Robert Downey Jr., you have to create a well-shaped, three-dimensional character for the audience. That’s where a lot of our focus is going.”
Notable Absences in the Cast Announcement
Marvel has not confirmed Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine or Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool for the film. Tom Holland’s Spider-Man remains uncertain due to ongoing agreements between Marvel and Sony. Chris Evans’ absence raises questions about the fate of Steve Rogers. Elizabeth Olsen confirmed she will not reprise her role as Scarlet Witch in Avengers: Doomsday.
Also Read: Russell Wilson Joins the New York Giants in a One-Year Deal
Production and Release Details
Filming has commenced in London. The film leads into Avengers: Secret Wars, concluding the Multiverse Saga.
Marvel’s latest ensemble aims to recapture the franchise’s former momentum. The combination of veteran actors, X-Men characters, and new MCU additions positions Avengers: Doomsday as a critical release for the studio’s future.
📅 Release Date: May 2026
Marvel fans are eagerly anticipating what could be the biggest event in MCU history.
