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Summary
Marvel Studios just released the list of actors reprising their franchise roles inAvengers: Doomsday, but the announcement clearly isn’t telling the whole story. Some choices were obvious, others unexpected, and a few major names were missing.
Like it or hate it, Marvel knows how to get people talking — even with something as simple as a row of chairs labeled with actors' names. That’s exactly what theAvengers: Doomsdaycast announcement did, though it noticeably left out many names fans expected to see. But regardless of what the announcement suggests, one thing is certain: everyone fans want to see is returning inAvengers: Doomsday. And if not, they’ll surely be back forSecret Wars.
Robert Downey Jr.
Victor Von Doom aka Doctor Doom
On March 26,Avengers: Doomsdaykicked off production witha bizarre promotional stunt: a five-hour livestream showing only director’s chairs labeled with cast names. The lineup included familiar faces like Chris Hemsworth (Thor) and Paul Rudd (Ant-Man), new arrivals fromThunderbolts*andThe Fantastic Four, andsurprise appearances byX-Menlegends Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen. The stream ended with Robert Downey Jr.’s chair, only for the man himself to show up and sit in it, confirming his role as Doctor Doom.
However, some big names were missing, including Tom Holland’s Spider-Man, Elizabeth Olsen’s Wanda,Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange, and Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk. This unconventional marketing stunt should be seen for what it really is: a well-planned gimmick by Marvel. Fans shouldn’t take the cast list too seriously. Some names could be mere cameos or even deliberate decoys, especially with upcoming films likeThe Fantastic Four: First Stepspotentially shifting the narrative.
Marvel has already done this before, like using misleading trailer footage to throw fans off track. They’ve also openly acknowledged that theAvengers: Doomsdaycast list isn’t complete. Robert Downey Jr. referenced the recently revealed lineupin an Instagram comment:
That’s what you call a deep bench of talent… actually, it’s more like a row, but an extra-long one… that must be it… right?
There’s always room for more…
Did TheAvengers: DoomsdayCast Reveal Work?
Fans Worry Marvel Gave Away Too Many Spoilers
TheAvengers: Doomsdaycast announcement drew some criticism. Its slow pacing was one issue, but fans were more concerned with what each reveal meant for the larger narrative. For example, revealing theThunderboltscast — especiallyLewis Pullman’s Bob/Sentry— feels counterproductive. Since Sentry is the film’s rumored villain, his confirmed survival alongside the otherThunderboltsmembers lowers the stakes when audiences finally watch the movie.
Similarly, Tom Hiddleston’s Loki, who became He Who Remains inLokiSeason 2, was one of Phase Six’s most anticipated returns. Announcing it now takes away the surprise. The same goes forX-Menveterans Magneto and Professor X, who might have made a bigger impact if revealed in the film or at least in a trailer. But if fans can see this, don’t you think Marvel has thought it through? Of course, they have.
Avengers: Doomsday’sCast List Is Just The Beginning
More X-Men, Former Avengers, & Spider-Man’s Likely Return
All factors considered, this just means one thing:Doomsdayis bringing back nearly everyone in some way. TheX-Men’s arrival has been expected for a while now, andDeadpool & Wolverinehas only made it more mainstream. So, beyond the actors revealed in the chairs, we’ll likely see even moreX-Men, maybe even younger versions like inFirst Class. In the MCU, anything is possible.
Speaking of which, formerAvengersactors could return in new roles, just like Robert Downey Jr. stepping in as Victor Von Doom, or even Chris Evans making a cameo as the Human Torch inDeadpool & Wolverine. The biggest omission? Tom Holland’s Spider-Man. It’s almost certain he’ll return, at least in a post-credits scene. WithSpider-Man 4releasing betweenDoomsdayandSecret Wars, now is the perfect time for him to be more involved than ever. Would Kevin Feige really waste that opportunity? No chance.
The MCU Will Keep Resurrecting Heroes Forever
Avengers: DoomsdayContinues the Trend
AfterAvengers: Endgame, it seemed like the heroes’ journey had ended, especially for the original six. Some returns, like Thor ortheGuardians of the Galaxy, made sense. But Downey’s comeback confirmed one undeniable truth: no MCU character stays dead, and no actor is really retired. As Deadpool quips, they’ll keep doing this until they’re ninety. Events likeDoomsdayandSecret Warswere always bound to bring back Marvel’s biggest names.
Take theX-Menstalwarts, for example.Patrick Stewart’s Professor Xhas died at least three times since his debut in the firstX-Menmovie, though some were alternate versions of him. While the multiverse and time travel explain it, it also lowers the stakes for the average viewer. The same goes forAvengers: Doomsday, as it’s now clearer than ever that Marvel has all the storytelling tricks and legal rights to bring back whoever they want. Let’s just hopethe Russo brothersdon’t fumble this once-in-a-lifetime cast.
