The Marvel Cinematic Universe just raised the stakes to unprecedented levels. In a move that redefines what a superhero crossover looks like, Marvel Studios officially unveiled the cast of Avengers: Doomsday—and it’s nothing short of cinematic madness in the best way possible. Announced during a five-hour livestream event, this mega-reveal confirmed the return of beloved Avengers, the rise of new faces, the introduction of the Fantastic Four, and a jaw-dropping reunion of Fox’s original X-Men cast. Oh, and did we mention Robert Downey Jr. is back—this time as Doctor Doom?
The Russo Brothers, back in the director’s chair after Endgame, are clearly building a new apex for the MCU, fusing multiverse lore, legacy characters, and fan service with what looks to be an Avengers film operating on an entirely new plane of ambition. The film is set for a May 1, 2026 release, and if this cast is any indication, we may be looking at the most ambitious comic book movie ever made.
Cast list so far:
- Chris Hemsworth – Thor
- Vanessa Kirby – Sue Storm aka The Invisible Woman
- Anthony Mackie – Sam Wilson aka Captain America
- Sebastian Stan – Bucky Barnes
- Letitia Wright – Shuri aka Black Panther
- Paul Rudd – Scott Lang aka Ant-Man
- Wyatt Russell – John Walker aka U.S. Agent
- Tenoch Huerta Mejia – Namor
- Ebon Moss-Bachrach – Ben Grimm aka The Thing
- Simu Liu – Shang-Chi
- Florence Pugh – Yelena Belova
- Kelsey Grammer – Hank McCoy aka Beast
- Lewis Pullman – Bob aka Sentry
- Danny Ramirez – Joaquin Torres aka The Falcon
- Joseph Quinn – Johnny Storm aka The Human Torch
- David Harbour – Alexi Shostakov aka Red Guardian
- Winston Duke – M’Baku
- Hannah John-Kamen – Ava Starr aka Ghost
- Tom Hiddleston – Loki
- Patrick Stewart – Charles Xavier aka Professor X
- Ian McKellen – Erik Lehnsherr aka Magneto
- Alan Cumming – Kurt Wagner aka Nightcrawler
- Rebecca Romijn – Mystique
- James Marsden – Scott Summers aka Cyclops
- Channing Tatum – Remy LeBleau aka Gambit
- Pedro Pascal – Reed Richards aka Mr. Fantastic
- Robert Downey Jr. – Victor Von Doom aka Doctor Doom
The Return of Legends
At the core of Avengers: Doomsday are returning MCU heavy-hitters like Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Anthony Mackie (Sam Wilson/Captain America), and Paul Rudd (Ant-Man), all reprising their roles after their respective Phase 4/5 arcs. Letitia Wright is back as Shuri, now firmly holding the mantle of Black Panther, while Tom Hiddleston’s Loki returns after the multiversal chaos he unleashed in Loki Season 2—now arguably one of the most pivotal characters in the multiverse saga.
Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes, Florence Pugh’s Yelena, and Wyatt Russell’s John Walker mark a Thunderbolts crossover that seems increasingly relevant, especially with David Harbour (Red Guardian), Hannah John-Kamen (Ghost), and Lewis Pullman as the recently teased Sentry also making the cut.
Fantastic Four Fully Formed
Marvel isn’t wasting any time integrating its “First Family.” Fresh off their standalone debut in Fantastic Four: First Steps (slated for 2025), the entire team will play a major role in Doomsday:
- Pedro Pascal as the brilliant Reed Richards
- Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm
- Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm
- Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm
Their early involvement suggests that Avengers: Doomsday could also be setting up the inevitable conflict between the Fantastic Four and Victor Von Doom—only this time, the latter is being portrayed by none other than Robert Downey Jr. in a bold casting twist that flips his legacy as Iron Man on its head.
The Mutants Are Here—For Real
This isn’t just a cameo situation. Marvel Studios is going all-in with its newly acquired X-Men catalog, bringing in not just one or two, but five iconic characters from 20th Century Fox’s mutant timeline:
- Patrick Stewart as Professor X
- Ian McKellen as Magneto
- Alan Cumming as Nightcrawler
- Rebecca Romijn as Mystique
- James Marsden as Cyclops
Even more surprising? Channing Tatum is finally getting to play Gambit, a role that was announced nearly a decade ago and long thought to be dead in development hell. He reportedly has a meatier role following a cameo in Deadpool & Wolverine.
This all but confirms what fans have been hoping since Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness—that the X-Men are now official players in the mainline MCU.
New Blood, Rising Stakes
Beyond the established heroes, characters like Simu Liu’s Shang-Chi, Tenoch Huerta’s Namor, and Danny Ramirez’s new Falcon offer the next generation of Avengers some real depth. Winston Duke’s M’Baku also returns, presumably taking on a bigger leadership role in Wakanda.
Pulling this ensemble together are the rumors of a reality-shattering threat orchestrated by Doctor Doom, whose rise seems poised to make Thanos look like an opening act. Downey Jr.’s turn as the infamous Latverian ruler flips the MCU on its axis—and gives us the first true villain of the post-Endgame era that isn’t a multiversal variant or time traveler, but an all-too-real political and scientific force.
What’s Missing?
As exciting as the cast is, eagle-eyed fans noticed a few glaring omissions: Tom Holland’s Spider-Man, Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel, and Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange. Their absence is reportedly due to either scheduling conflicts or strategic withholding, as Marvel could be saving their reintroduction for the next epic chapter: Avengers: Secret Wars. Don’t count them out just yet.
A Cinematic Event in the Making
With a cast this expansive, a villain this iconic, and directors with a proven track record of juggling large ensembles, Avengers: Doomsday isn’t just a movie—it’s a turning point for the MCU. Expect multiversal mayhem, long-awaited team-ups, philosophical clashes, and maybe even a few final goodbyes.
Whether you’ve followed the MCU since Iron Man or just jumped in with the Disney+ series, this movie is designed to be the blockbuster culmination of everything Marvel has been building since Endgame—and possibly the franchise’s boldest step forward yet.
Confirmed Avengers: Doomsday Cast
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Chris Hemsworth | Thor |
| Vanessa Kirby | Sue Storm / Invisible Woman |
| Anthony Mackie | Sam Wilson / Captain America |
| Sebastian Stan | Bucky Barnes / Winter Soldier |
| Letitia Wright | Shuri / Black Panther |
| Paul Rudd | Scott Lang / Ant-Man |
| Wyatt Russell | John Walker / U.S. Agent |
| Tenoch Huerta Mejía | Namor |
| Ebon Moss-Bachrach | Ben Grimm / The Thing |
| Simu Liu | Shang-Chi |
| Florence Pugh | Yelena Belova / Black Widow |
| Kelsey Grammer | Hank McCoy / Beast (rumored cameo) |
| Lewis Pullman | Bob / Sentry |
| Danny Ramirez | Joaquin Torres / Falcon |
| Joseph Quinn | Johnny Storm / Human Torch |
| David Harbour | Alexei Shostakov / Red Guardian |
| Winston Duke | M’Baku |
| Hannah John-Kamen | Ava Starr / Ghost |
| Tom Hiddleston | Loki |
| Patrick Stewart | Charles Xavier / Professor X |
| Ian McKellen | Erik Lehnsherr / Magneto |
| Alan Cumming | Kurt Wagner / Nightcrawler |
| Rebecca Romijn | Raven Darkhölme / Mystique |
| James Marsden | Scott Summers / Cyclops |
| Channing Tatum | Remy LeBeau / Gambit |
| Pedro Pascal | Reed Richards / Mr. Fantastic |
| Robert Downey Jr. | Victor Von Doom / Doctor Doom |
Marvel isn’t just assembling a team—they’re creating a cinematic singularity. Buckle up.
