Doomsday Cast will Include Everyone, Regardless Of The Chairs

Marvel Studios just released the list of actors reprising their franchise roles in Avengers: Doomsday, but the announcement clearly isn’t telling the whole story. Some choices were obvious, others unexpected, and a few major names were missing.

Like it or hate it, Marvel knows how to get people talking — even with something as simple as a row of chairs labeled with actors’ names. That’s exactly what the Avengers: Doomsday cast announcement did, though it noticeably left out many names fans expected to see. But regardless of what the announcement suggests, one thing is certain: everyone fans want to see is returning in Avengers: Doomsday. And if not, they’ll surely be back for Secret Wars.

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‘There’s Always Room For More’ Marvel Studios Hints Some Big Names Were Excluded In Avengers: Doomsday Announcement

Some Marvel stars who were not included in the Avengers: Doomsday cast announcement could still appear in the movie.

Who’s Going To Be In Avengers: Doomsday?

Marvel’s Viral Chair Livestream Hides Big Casting Secrets

On March 26, Avengers: Doomsday kicked off production with a bizarre promotional stunt: a five-hour livestream showing only director’s chairs labeled with cast names. The lineup included familiar faces like Chris Hemsworth (Thor) and Paul Rudd (Ant-Man), new arrivals from Thunderbolts* and The Fantastic Four, and surprise appearances by X-Men legends Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen. The stream ended with Robert Downey Jr.’s chair, only for the man himself to show up and sit in it, confirming his role as Doctor Doom.

However, some big names were missing, including Tom Holland’s Spider-Man, Elizabeth Olsen’s Wanda, Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange, and Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk. This unconventional marketing stunt should be seen for what it really is: a well-planned gimmick by Marvel. Fans shouldn’t take the cast list too seriously. Some names could be mere cameos or even deliberate decoys, especially with upcoming films like The Fantastic Four: First Steps potentially shifting the narrative.

Marvel has already done this before, like using misleading trailer footage to throw fans off track. They’ve also openly acknowledged that the Avengers: Doomsday cast list isn’t complete. Robert Downey Jr. referenced the recently revealed lineup in an Instagram comment:

That’s what you call a deep bench of talent… actually, it’s more like a row, but an extra-long one… that must be it… right?

Marvel Studios’ official account responded with a cryptic tease:

There’s always room for more…

Did The Avengers: Doomsday Cast Reveal Work?

Fans Worry Marvel Gave Away Too Many Spoilers

The Avengers: Doomsday cast announcement drew some criticism. Its slow pacing was one issue, but fans were more concerned with what each reveal meant for the larger narrative. For example, revealing the Thunderbolts* cast — especially Lewis Pullman’s Bob/Sentry — feels counterproductive. Since Sentry is the film’s rumored villain, his confirmed survival alongside the other Thunderbolts* members lowers the stakes when audiences finally watch the movie.

Similarly, Tom Hiddleston’s Loki, who became He Who Remains in Loki Season 2, was one of Phase Six’s most anticipated returns. Announcing it now takes away the surprise. The same goes for X-Men veterans Magneto and Professor X, who might have made a bigger impact if revealed in the film or at least in a trailer. But if fans can see this, don’t you think Marvel has thought it through? Of course, they have.

Avengers: Doomsday’s Cast List Is Just The Beginning

More X-Men, Former Avengers, & Spider-Man’s Likely Return

All factors considered, this just means one thing: Doomsday is bringing back nearly everyone in some way. The X-Men’s arrival has been expected for a while now, and Deadpool & Wolverine has only made it more mainstream. So, beyond the actors revealed in the chairs, we’ll likely see even more X-Men, maybe even younger versions like in First Class. In the MCU, anything is possible.

Speaking of which, former Avengers actors could return in new roles, just like Robert Downey Jr. stepping in as Victor Von Doom, or even Chris Evans making a cameo as the Human Torch in Deadpool & Wolverine. The biggest omission? Tom Holland’s Spider-Man. It’s almost certain he’ll return, at least in a post-credits scene. With Spider-Man 4 releasing between Doomsday and Secret Wars, now is the perfect time for him to be more involved than ever. Would Kevin Feige really waste that opportunity? No chance.

The MCU Will Keep Resurrecting Heroes Forever

Avengers: Doomsday Continues the Trend

After Avengers: Endgame, it seemed like the heroes’ journey had ended, especially for the original six. Some returns, like Thor or the Guardians of the Galaxy, made sense. But Downey’s comeback confirmed one undeniable truth: no MCU character stays dead, and no actor is really retired. As Deadpool quips, they’ll keep doing this until they’re ninety. Events like Doomsday and Secret Wars were always bound to bring back Marvel’s biggest names.

Take the X-Men stalwarts, for example. Patrick Stewart’s Professor X has died at least three times since his debut in the first X-Men movie, though some were alternate versions of him. While the multiverse and time travel explain it, it also lowers the stakes for the average viewer. The same goes for Avengers: Doomsday, as it’s now clearer than ever that Marvel has all the storytelling tricks and legal rights to bring back whoever they want. Let’s just hope the Russo brothers don’t fumble this once-in-a-lifetime cast.

Avengers: Doomsday

Release Date

May 1, 2026

Director

Anthony Russo, Joe Russo

Writers

Stephen McFeely