The Marvel Studios live-stream on March 26, 2025, for the announcement of the cast of Avengers: Doomsday was an unprecedented success, drawing attention from millions worldwide. According to Deadline, the live-stream accumulated a staggering 275 million digital views and 3.1 million social media mentions over its impressive duration of 5 hours and 27 minutes. This engagement shattered records, surpassing the social volume of the Deadpool & Wolverine trailer released during last year's Super Bowl by more than double.
The event not only captivated fans but also demonstrated the franchise's enduring popularity. As the hours passed, the audience grew, establishing this live-stream as the most-watched multi-platform event in Marvel's history. On YouTube, the live-stream ranked second among trending topics by the end of the day, while on X, the hashtag #AvengersDoomsday held the top spot for over seven hours, generating more than 55 distinct trending terms throughout the day.
The star-studded cast announced during the live event includes Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Tom Hiddleston as Loki, Anthony Mackie as Captain America, Paul Rudd as Ant-Man, Letitia Wright as Black Panther, Simu Liu as Shang-Chi, Danny Ramirez as The Falcon, Tenoch Huerta as Namor, and Winston Duke as M'Baku. This lineup showcases the depth and diversity of characters that Marvel fans have come to love.
In addition to these familiar faces, the cast will feature members of the Thunderbolts, the next Marvel Studios film set to debut in May 2025. This group includes Sebastian Stan as The Winter Soldier, Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, Wyatt Russell as U.S. Agent, David Harbour as Red Guardian, Hannah John-Kamen as Ghost, and Lewis Pullman as Sentry. The inclusion of these characters hints at exciting crossover possibilities within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Perhaps the most surprising announcement was the return of iconic characters from the Fox X-Men franchise. Patrick Stewart will reprise his role as Professor X, Ian McKellen will return as Magneto, James Marsden as Cyclops, and Rebecca Romijn as Mystique. Additionally, Channing Tatum will portray Gambit, Kelsey Grammer will return as Beast, and Alan Cumming will reprise his role as Nightcrawler. This nostalgic casting decision has sparked excitement among long-time fans.
The Fantastic Four will also make their presence felt in Avengers: Doomsday. Pedro Pascal will take on the role of Mr. Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby will portray the Invisible Woman, Ebon Moss-Bachrach will play The Thing, and Joseph Quinn will be the Human Torch. Their debut is eagerly anticipated, as they are set to appear in The Fantastic Four: The Beginnings scheduled for release in July 2025.
Notably, Robert Downey Jr. has been confirmed as Doctor Doom, a role he previously teased during Comic-Con in 2024. His involvement adds another layer of intrigue to the film, as fans speculate about how his character will interact with the beloved heroes of the Marvel universe.
The hype surrounding Avengers: Doomsday is palpable, with fans eagerly awaiting its release on May 1, 2026. The anticipation is not just for the film itself but also for the potential surprises that Marvel Studios may still have up their sleeves. Downey Jr. hinted at this in a recent social media post, stating, "This is what you call a talent bench... actually, it’s more like a line, but a very long one... It has to be this way... right?" Marvel Studios responded, "There’s always room for more..." suggesting that additional surprises, potentially including fan-favorite actors like Chris Evans and Hugh Jackman, could still be in the works.
As the Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to expand, the excitement surrounding Avengers: Doomsday serves as a testament to the franchise's ability to engage and enthrall audiences. With a blend of returning favorites and new characters, the film promises to deliver an unforgettable experience for fans old and new alike.
