Marvel Studios has officially confirmed the cast list for its upcoming film, Avengers: Doomsday, ahead of its release on May 1, 2026. Following a lengthy and dramatic livestream event, the studio revealed a mix of both returning and new characters who will join forces in this highly anticipated addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
The announcement came on March 26, 2025, during a five-and-a-half-hour livestream that captivated over 100,000 viewers at any given moment. Marvel utilized the event to slowly unveil the cast by showcasing the backs of chairs labeled with the names of the actors, a method that drew both excitement and some playful criticism from fans.
Starting with Chris Hemsworth as Thor and concluding with Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom, the event showcased a total of 27 cast members. Downey’s return as the villainous Victor Von Doom marks a significant shift in the MCU, especially after his character Tony Stark/Iron Man met his demise in Avengers: Endgame.
Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige had previously hinted at a new direction for the franchise, stating, "New mask, same task," referring to Downey's new role. This shift comes after the studio parted ways with Jonathan Majors, who played Kang, the Conqueror, following an underwhelming reception of the character.
Among the returning Avengers are Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson/Captain America, Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes/The Winter Soldier, Tom Hiddleston as Loki, and Paul Rudd as Ant-Man. The cast also features notable newcomers such as Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/The Invisible Woman and Simu Liu as Shang-Chi, alongside other significant characters from the MCU and beyond.
The full cast list includes:
- Chris Hemsworth as Thor
- Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/The Invisible Woman
- Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson/Captain America
- Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes/The Winter Soldier
- Letitia Wright as Shuri/Black Panther
- Paul Rudd as Scott Lang/Ant-Man
- Wyatt Russell as John Walker/US Agent
- Tenoch Huerta Mejía as Namor
- Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing
- Simu Liu as Shang-Chi
- Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova/Black Widow
- Kelsey Grammer as Hank McCoy/Beast
- Lewis Pullman as Bob (rumored to be Sentry)
- Danny Ramirez as Joaquin Torres/Falcon
- Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/The Human Torch
- David Harbour as Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian
- Winston Duke as M'Baku
- Hannah John-Kamen as Ava Starr/Ghost
- Tom Hiddleston as Loki
- Patrick Stewart as Charles Xavier/Professor X
- Ian McKellen as Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto
- Alan Cumming as Kurt Wagner/Nightcrawler
- Rebecca Romijn as Raven Darkhölme/Mystique
- James Marsden as Scott Summers/Cyclops
- Channing Tatum as Remy LeBeau/Gambit
- Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic
- Robert Downey Jr. as Victor Von Doom/Doctor Doom
This diverse cast brings together characters from various phases of the MCU, as well as iconic figures from the X-Men franchise, which was previously under the 20th Century Fox banner. The inclusion of actors like Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen suggests that the plot of Avengers: Doomsday will intertwine with the larger multiverse narrative that Marvel has been building.
Marvel has been exploring the multiverse concept throughout its recent films and series, and Avengers: Doomsday is expected to culminate in a grand event that brings together heroes from different universes. This film is part of Marvel's Phase Six, which follows the expansive Multiverse Saga.
Directors Joe and Anthony Russo, known for their work on Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Avengers: Endgame, will helm this installment. Their return to the franchise has fans eagerly anticipating how they will handle the complex narratives and character arcs that come with such a large ensemble cast.
The livestream event, while criticized for its slow pace, ultimately generated significant buzz and excitement for the upcoming film. Fans took to social media to express their enthusiasm, while some even joked about the length of the event, comparing it to other lengthy announcements in pop culture.
As for the future of the MCU, Marvel has three more films slated for release before Avengers: Doomsday, including Thunderbolts and The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which are set to arrive in theaters in 2025. Following Avengers: Doomsday, fans can look forward to Spider-Man 4 on July 31, 2026, and another untitled Marvel film in November 2026, culminating with Avengers: Secret Wars on May 7, 2027.
Marvel's ambitious plans for the future of its cinematic universe continue to evolve, leaving fans eager to see how these stories will unfold on the big screen.
