Marvel Studios has officially announced the current cast lineup for their next crossover event, Avengers: Doomsday, and there were indeed surprises!
Apart from MCU veterans returning to the table, like Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan and Paul Rudd, the lineup also consisted of stars from the latest MCU entries, such as Captain America: Brave New World, the upcoming Thunderbolts* and The Fantastic Four: The First Steps.
But importantly, the roster featured several cast members from Fox’s X-Men series, including Patrick Stewart (his second MCU appearance after Doctor Strange 2), Ian McKellen, James Marsden, Alan Cumming and Rebecca Romijn. Additionally, Channing Tatum will appear as Gambit, giving another redemption for his once-scrapped outing.
While it is overwhelming to glance at the packed roster of Avengers (any sense of hype notwithstanding) and speculate the plot behind Doomsday, it is also another matter when noticing some absences from the lineup, especially when looking back at previous MCU projects.
Indeed, some actors are expected to appear, including Jeremy Renner, Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Holland, Hayley Atwell and Chris Evans, in an undisclosed role but not as Captain America. And several stars, like Scarlett Johansson and Elizabeth Olsen, shared about their characters’ fates.
But speculation is still on the air for the ten MCU figures below, whether or not they will appear in the next Avengers movie to face off against Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom.
Hope van Dyne/Wasp
Let’s face it: despite being one of the title characters, Hope made little to no impression in Quantumania. And seeing that the movie ended with little payoff for most of its cast, that may be the case for Hope. A cameo can help tie the loose ends, especially for the van Dynes. But fans might not be holding much…hope. Apologies.
Marc Spector/Moon Knight
The miniseries Moon Knight ended with all of his alters free to roam the world. That leaves Marc’s story open-ended for a follow-up or crossover from other MCU heroes. In fairness, his arc, as well as Steven Grant’s, has a clear conclusion. So, his absence in Doomsday may be for the better. But another Moon Knight story should be there.
Riri Williams/Ironheart
This one is merely a 50-50 speculation while waiting for the official series. Riri Williams made her mark in her debut in Wakanda Forever. While she is largely overshadowed by an exceptional supporting cast, her appearance sparked potential over a young roster of Avengers who can take the mantle of their predecessors. Time will tell if it will pay off.
America Chavez
America Chavez serves as a foil for Stephen Strange during their hasty journey towards multiverses. Along with her colorful characterization and Xochitl Gomez’s performance, she has strong potential, especially when she is placed under Strange’s wing as a trainee in Kamar-Taj. Speculation is justified over how her journey will continue after Multiverse of Madness. But she traversed the multiverse, so…
Kate Bishop
Speaking of young protégés, Kate Bishop is waiting for her big-screen breakout part. While she proved herself worthy of succeeding Hawkeye, she was mostly on the sidelines. Granted, the Hawkeye series is more tied to the down-to-earth setups of Daredevil and The Punisher. So, we just have to wait and see if she will be designated as an official Avenger.
Kamala Khan/Ms. Marvel
Another young protégé, Kamala Khan made a strong impression in The Marvels, carrying the film with her upbeat personality and infectious enthusiasm. Buoyed by Iman Vellani’s performance, she is so primed for MCU fame that she even initiates her own Avengers recruitment, starting with Kate Bishop. However, no mention of her in Doomsday says otherwise. But cross-fingers for any payoff.
Wade Wilson/Deadpool
Of course, Deadpool is here. If someone is hailed as the savior of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he or she must be part of the cast. But he somehow is not. Though, the inclusion of the X-Men cast may open that door. Who knows? And yet, with the success of Deadpool & Wolverine, his appearance may be imminent. Let’s see.
Any of the Eternals
Captain America: Brave New World is the latest MCU project to tie back to the Eternals, with President Ross indicating that the remains of Tiamut are rich in adamantium. Plus, the end of Eternals teases a team-up with Thanos’ brother Eros. So, any of the loose ends could be tied in Avengers: Doomsday. But it may seem not the case.
Any of the Guardians
It is hard to swallow this fact since incorporating the Guardians into the Avengers was always an awesome concept. But James Gunn perfectly capped off the journey of the Guardians with his victory lap. Perhaps, a quick hint or cameo of the new Guardians team, led by Rocket, would be a nice touch. Then again, all’s well that ends well.
Nick Fury
Such a whiplash for Fury to go from existentially jaded in Secret Invasion to comically blasé in The Marvels. While he is left to his own devices with S.A.B.R.E., it is unclear where and how Fury will go from there. And no such indication of him in the Doomsday cast is an interesting one, considering he orchestrated the Avengers initiative.
Bruce Banner/Hulk
And finally, after an Avengers regular, we go to another Avengers regular. Bruce Banner has yet to have an official payoff in the MCU. Last we saw of him, he aided Jennifer Walters in adapting to her Hulk person while living off the grid. And his absence in Avengers: Doomsday underscores the tricky balance of redeeming or rewarding Bruce Banner.