- The cast for Avengers: Doomsday, releasing May 1, 2026, includes Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom and a mix of returning Avengers and new characters.
- It seems likely that key heroes like Anthony Mackie as Captain America and Tom Holland as Spider-Man will lead, with the Fantastic Four and Thunderbolts also featured.
- The film will include controversial casting choices, like Chris Evans in an undisclosed role, sparking fan speculation.
Avengers: Doomsday is shaping up to be a major MCU event, with a diverse cast blending familiar faces and fresh additions. Robert Downey Jr.’s return as Doctor Doom has generated significant buzz, marking a shift from his iconic Iron Man role.
The Avengers team includes Anthony Mackie as Captain America, Tom Holland as Spider-Man, and others like Chris Hemsworth as Thor and Letitia Wright as Black Panther, ensuring a strong leadership core.
An unexpected detail is the inclusion of the Fantastic Four, Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm making their MCU debut in this film.
The Thunderbolts, with members like Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes and Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, add an anti-hero dynamic. Additionally, Chris Evans’ undisclosed role and Hayley Atwell’s return as Peggy Carter bring intriguing possibilities for multiversal storytelling.
Release and Context
Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, Avengers: Doomsday is set to conclude the Multiverse Saga, with production starting in April 2025 in England and lasting until August 2025. This film follows the pivot from Avengers: The Kang Dynasty to focus on Doctor Doom, announced at SDCC 2024, promising a fresh narrative direction.
Avengers: Doomsday Cast Reveal By far

Marvel Studios has officially unveiled the cast for Avengers: Doomsday, a highly anticipated film set for release on May 1, 2026. Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, known for their work on Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, this movie is poised to be a pivotal chapter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s (MCU) Multiverse Saga.
The cast reveal has generated significant excitement, blending returning heroes, new characters, and unexpected casting choices, promising an epic ensemble for fans.
The Villain: Doctor Doom
One of the most talked-about announcements is Robert Downey Jr.’s return to the MCU, not as Iron Man, but as the formidable Doctor Doom. This casting decision, revealed at SDCC 2024, has sparked widespread speculation about how Downey will portray this complex villain, known for his intellect and rivalry with the Fantastic Four.
His inclusion as the central antagonist, replacing the previously planned Kang the Conqueror, marks a significant shift in the MCU’s narrative, setting the stage for a multiversal conflict.
The Avengers: Core Heroes
Leading the heroic charge is Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson, now Captain America, taking up the shield after Steve Rogers’ retirement. The team is bolstered by:
- Tom Holland as Peter Parker/Spider-Man, expected to take on a larger leadership role following his mentor Iron Man’s legacy.
- Chris Hemsworth as Thor, whose return hints at continued adventures post-Thor: Love and Thunder.
- Letitia Wright as Shuri/Black Panther, stepping into a prominent role after Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
- Paul Rudd as Scott Lang/Ant-Man, one of the few remaining original Avengers from Endgame.
- Simu Liu as Shang-Chi, bringing his martial arts prowess to the team.
- Benedict Cumberbatch as Stephen Strange/Doctor Strange, confirmed to reprise his role as a pivotal figure in the multiversal saga.
This diverse group of heroes is set to unite against Doctor Doom, leveraging their unique abilities and histories to protect the multiverse.
The Fantastic Four: MCU Debut
Making their long-awaited debut in the MCU, the Fantastic Four will play a crucial role in Avengers: Doomsday. The cast includes:
- Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, the brilliant scientist and leader with the ability to stretch his body.
- Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, who can turn invisible and generate force fields, linked to Doctor Doom’s comic rivalry.
- Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch, bringing fiery energy as the team’s hot-headed member.
- Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing, whose rocky exterior grants him immense strength and durability.
Their inclusion, following their introduction in The Fantastic Four: First Steps (set for July 25, 2026), suggests a storyline that may explore their origins and conflicts, particularly with Doctor Doom, a frequent antagonist in the comics.
The Thunderbolts: Anti-Heroes in Action
Adding an element of unpredictability, the Thunderbolts, a team of anti-heroes and reformed villains, are confirmed to appear. The cast includes:
- Sebastian Stan as James “Bucky” Barnes/Winter Soldier, continuing his journey post-Thunderbolts (2025).
- Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova/Black Widow, expanding her role from Black Widow and Thunderbolts.
- Wyatt Russell as John Walker/U.S. Agent, potentially depending on his fate in Thunderbolts.
- David Harbour as Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian, providing muscle as seen in Black Widow.
- Hannah John-Kamen as Ava Starr/Ghost, evolving from her antagonistic role in Ant-Man and the Wasp.
- Olga Kurylenko as Antonia Dreykov/Taskmaster, whose survival in Thunderbolts could lead to her inclusion.
Their involvement suggests that the battle against Doctor Doom may require alliances with characters from the fringes of the MCU, adding depth to the narrative.
Other Notable Cast Members
The cast list extends beyond these teams, with additional confirmed and speculated characters:
- Tenoch Huerta as Namor, the Sub-Mariner, reprising his role from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, bringing his underwater kingdom into the conflict.
- Hayley Atwell as Peggy Carter, whose return raises questions about time travel or multiversal variants, given her history in Captain America: The First Avenger and Agent Carter.
- Chris Evans in an undisclosed role, sparking speculation about whether he will reprise Steve Rogers/Captain America or take on a new character, such as a variant or even Johnny Storm, given his past association with the Fantastic Four.
These additions bring layers of intrigue, with Evans’ role being particularly notable given his extensive history as Captain America across nine MCU films.
Production and Context
Avengers: Doomsday is set to begin principal photography in April 2025 in England, lasting until August 2025, with a release date of May 1, 2026. This film marks the first Avengers movie since Endgame in 2019, seven years in the making, and is part of a two-part arc culminating in Avengers: Secret Wars (May 7, 2027).
The pivot from Avengers: The Kang Dynasty to focus on Doctor Doom, announced at SDCC 2024, reflects Marvel’s adaptive storytelling, responding to changes like Jonathan Majors’ departure from the MCU.
The cast reveal has also highlighted potential controversies, such as Downey’s casting as Doctor Doom, with some fans debating whether it aligns with the character’s comic portrayal, while others are thrilled by his return. Similarly, Evans’ undisclosed role has fueled speculation and debate, with theories ranging from a Captain America variant to a multiversal twist.
Confirmed and Rumored Cast: A Detailed Table
To organize the extensive cast, here is a breakdown of confirmed and rumored members, based on recent announcements and speculation:
Category | Character/Role | Actor | Status |
---|---|---|---|
Confirmed | Doctor Doom | Robert Downey Jr. | Confirmed at SDCC 2024 |
Doctor Strange | Benedict Cumberbatch | Confirmed in interviews | |
Reed Richards | Pedro Pascal | Confirmed at SDCC 2024 | |
Sue Storm | Vanessa Kirby | Confirmed | |
Ben Grimm | Ebon Moss-Bachrach | Confirmed | |
Johnny Storm | Joseph Quinn | Confirmed | |
Spider-Man | Tom Holland | Confirmed | |
Captain America | Anthony Mackie | Confirmed | |
Thor | Chris Hemsworth | Confirmed (Wiki page) | |
Black Panther | Letitia Wright | Confirmed (Wiki page) | |
Ant-Man | Paul Rudd | Confirmed (Wiki page) | |
Namor | Tenoch Huerta | Confirmed (Wiki page) | |
Shang-Chi | Simu Liu | Confirmed (Wiki page) | |
Peggy Carter | Hayley Atwell | Confirmed | |
Chris Evans’s Role | Chris Evans | Confirmed, role undisclosed | |
Thunderbolts Team | Various (e.g., Bucky, Yelena) | Confirmed, specific members TBD |
Category | Character/Role | Actor | Status |
---|---|---|---|
Rumored | Red Hulk | Harrison Ford | Speculated, post-Captain America: Brave New World |
Peter Quill | Chris Pratt | Likely, hinted in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 | |
Cassandra Lang/Ant-Girl | Kathryn Newton | Probable, mentioned for Young Avengers | |
Gambit | Channing Tatum | Rumored, post-Deadpool and Wolverine | |
Ironheart | Dominique Thorne | Rumored, series “Ironheart” set for Sept 3, 2025 | |
Ms. Marvel | Iman Vellani | Likely, recruiting for Young Avengers | |
Kate Bishop | Hailee Steinfeld | Likely, Hawkeye’s successor | |
Wolverine | Hugh Jackman | Rumored, post-Deadpool and Wolverine | |
Deadpool | Ryan Reynolds | Strong probability, post-Deadpool and Wolverine |
This table reflects the breadth of the cast, with confirmed members forming the core and rumored characters adding potential depth, especially for multiversal storylines.
Avengers: Doomsday is shaping up to be a landmark film, with its cast reveal highlighting Marvel’s ambition to blend legacy characters, new teams, and unexpected twists. From Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom to the debut of the Fantastic Four and the inclusion of the Thunderbolts, the film promises a rich tapestry of heroes and villains.
As production ramps up in 2025, fans can look forward to more details, but for now, the cast list alone sets the stage for an epic conclusion to the Multiverse Saga.