Summary
- Avengers: Doomsday will culminate Phases Four and Five, introduce new characters, and mark the beginning of Phase Six.
- The ensemble cast is set to feature classic superheroes like Professor X and Thor, as well as newer heroes like Shang-Chi and Yelena Belova.
- Doctor Doom, portrayed by Robert Downey Jr., is set to be a powerful villain in Avengers: Doomsday, potentially surpassing Thanos.
There hasn’t been an Avengers movie since 2019’s Avengers: Endgame, but that all changes with 2026’s Avengers: Doomsday, directed by Anthony and Joe Russo. This film will culminate Phases Four and Five and mark the beginning of Phase Six, resulting in many new characters joining the latest ensemble cast.
Related
MCU: 6 Ways The Franchise Has Opened Up Multiversal Travel
The Multiverse has opened up countless possibilities for the future of the MCU. Here are all the ways it has played a part in the franchise so far.
Marvel Studios has unveiled a massive cast of actors returning to their respective roles in Avengers: Doomsday. Some are characters who have been in the Marvel Cinematic Universe since Phase One, while others will be brand-new additions introduced in the latest phases. Meanwhile, there are surprising announcements of actors who have been with Marvel since before the existence of the MCU.
27
Thor
The Last Active Member Of The Original Roster
- Played By: Chris Hemsworth
- First Appearance: Thor
Most of the original Avengers lineup has either passed away or retired, but Thor remains the powerful immortal he has always been. Chris Hemsworth has expressed his love and appreciation for the role, as it was his ticket to fame. He has stated that he is always willing to return to the role whenever Marvel Studios calls upon him.
The last time fans saw Thor was in his fourth solo movie, Thor: Love And Thunder. While that movie was regarded as a downgrade for the character, fans will likely relish his return. The Russo Brothers previously gave Thor some of his best material in both Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, where the character truly felt like the God Of Thunder.
26
The Invisible Woman
The Fantastic Four Would Fall Apart Without Her
- Played By: Vanessa Kirby
- First Appearance: The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Vanessa Kirby is set to debut as Susan Storm, The Invisible Woman in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which is set on an alternate retro-futuristic Earth where The Fantastic Four are the only heroes. That kind of direction was likely done to avoid any continuity errors as to why the four heroes were never involved with major events like Ultron or Thanos.
Susan Storm is shown to be an important part of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, serving as the maternal figure that keeps the team together as a family. Many will be curious as to how The Fantastic Four even end up leaving their universe to join the Avengers in the Sacred Timeline to fight Doctor Doom.
25
Captain America
The Avengers Deserve A Leader Like Sam Wilson
- Played By: Anthony Mackie
- First Appearance: Captain America: The Winter Soldier
After already spending years as a fearless partner, Sam Wilson was given the vibranium shield and the role of Captain America when Steve Rogers retired in Avengers: Endgame. Despite having no superpowers, he proved himself worthy of the shield in both The Falcon And The Winter Soldier and Captain America: Brave New World, where he faced off against powerful threats.
While it is not confirmed, it’s easy to assume that the new lineup of Avengers will feature Captain America as a leader. Sam Wilson had already led his own team of heroes in his film, but President Thaddeus Ross also put him in charge of putting together and restarting the Avengers since people look up to him now.
24
The Winter Soldier
Bucky’s Redemption Story Deserves To Be Studied
- Played By: Sebastian Stan
- First Appearance: Captain America: The First Avenger
The Winter Soldier has seen quite the evolution since he was first introduced in Captain America: The First Avenger as Steve Rogers’ best friend and comrade. He then became a brainwashed villain working for Hydra, but, thanks to Steve Rogers’ loyalty to him, regained his mind and became a fellow Avenger in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.
Now, in Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts*, Bucky Barnes is both a superhero and a congressman. Sebastian Stan has become a beloved part of the MCU, from memorable action sequences to his natural chemistry with his fellow castmates, especially Anthony Mackie. His character arc has been a highlight across years of Marvel history, so he will likely be another leader figure for the Avengers.
23
Black Panther
Shuri Has The Technology And The Mind To Rival Tony Stark
- Played By: Letitia Wright
- First Appearance: Black Panther
Shuri, played by Letitia Wright, inherited the mantle of Black Panther after the tragic loss of Chadwick Boseman. Fortunately, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever showcased what Shuri is capable of as the new superhero and the ruler of Wakanda as he de-escalated the war between her nation and Talokan.

Related
Marvel: 5 Saddest Avengers Character Deaths, Ranked
The death of an Avenger is a rare event, but when it happens, it shakes the rest of the team to their core, and leaves movie-going audiences rattled.
Wakanda ended up playing a big part in the resistance against Thanos’ conquest, and that will likely be the case with Avengers: Doomsday. Since Tony Stark is gone, the Avengers will need someone to provide their technological backing, and Shuri has already proven herself to be one of the most intelligent characters on Earth.
22
Ant-Man
The Little Hero That Nobody Expected To Get A Franchise
- Played By: Paul Rudd
- First Appearance: Ant-Man
Nobody expected a character like Ant-Man to become a fundamental part of the Avengers, but his ability to grow and shrink made him a powerhouse every time he was part of the team. Additionally, without Scott Lang and the Pym Particles, the Avengers would never have won the fight against Thanos and brought back the universe’s population from the Blip.
Even in the solo Ant-Man movies, Paul Rudd has been a delightful addition to the MCU. He’s different from most heroes because he’s an ex-con trying to do right by himself and his daughter, Cassie. Scott may not be the most powerful superhero, but he never gives up when faced with a villain. Paul Rudd has also delivered a strong balance of comedic and serious tones as the character.
21
U.S. Agent
From Failed Captain America To New Avenger
- Played By: Wyatt Russell
- First Appearance: The Falcon And The Winter Soldier
One of the more morally gray characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is John Walker, who began as the government’s replacement for Captain America but eventually became U.S. Agent. His insecurities, combined with the pressure of being Captain America, resulted in him devolving into villain territory, especially after injecting himself with super soldier serum.
Wyatt Russell delivers the complexity of the character well, showcasing a man who is flawed but not evil. He wants to do good, but the universe pushes him the wrong way, and he responds poorly. However, U.S. Agent has the potential to redeem himself as not only a member of the Thunderbolts* but also an Avenger.
20
Namor
Talokan Could Be The Secret Wild Card Against Doctor Doom
- Played By: Tenoch Huerta Mejía
- First Appearance: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
He is not evil, and he is not good, but Namor is an extremely neutral party whose main priority is his underwater kingdom of Talokan above all else, especially those in the surface world. Namor’s narrow view resulted in him attempting to eradicate all surface-dwellers, and he would have been successful had it not been for Shuri convincing him to back down.
While Wakanda did hold its own, it was shown that Talokan would have won the war, which technically makes them the most powerful nation on Earth. When Doctor Doom attacks, the Avengers may need to negotiate with Namor for help, as suggested by Tenoch Huerta Mejía being confirmed to return as the intimidating monarch.
19
The Thing
Ben Grimm Will Always Have Everybody’s Back
- Played By: Ebon Moss-Bachrach
- First Appearance: The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Known for his rocky anatomy and a heart of gold, The Thing is another member of The Fantastic Four. Ben Grimm will be portrayed by Ebon Moss-Bachrach, one of the few actors to take on more than one role in the MCU. In the first season of The Punisher, he played Micro, but in recent years, he has become more known for his role in FX’s The Bear.
The Thing is undoubtedly the most tragic character of The Fantastic Four due to his physical transformation. He possesses super strength and is nearly indestructible, but he has the appearance of a rock monster, which often leads to his struggle to make peace with who he is. In the end, however, Ben remains a loyal and dependable hero as The Thing, which will likely play a significant role in Avengers: Doomsday.
18
Shang-Chi
The Ten Rings Will Provide Another Source Of Magic
- Played By: Simu Liu
- First Appearance: Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings
Audiences were introduced to the Multiverse by Simu Liu’s Shang-Chi, who mixes magic and martial arts to create a powerful new superhero. He became even more powerful after inheriting the legendary Ten Ring from his father, granting him a mix of dimensional magic and alien technology, a similar set of powers as Doctor Doom.
It was teased at the end of Shang Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings that his new weapons would play a big part later. That movie also ended with him and his friend Karen joining the Avengers, thanks to being recruited by Wong, Bruce Banner, and Captain Marvel. His film was a surprising gem that left many curious about how effective Shang-Chi would be as an Avenger.
17
Black Widow
Yelena Quickly Won The Hearts Of Audiences
- Played By: Florence Pugh
- First Appearance: Black Widow
Florence Pugh instantly became a fan favorite in the Black Widow movie as Natasha Romanoff’s younger sister, Yelena Belova. Her mix of deadpan humor, heart, and effectiveness as a Black Widow made her the ideal replacement for Natasha in the new era of Marvel while still putting her unique stamp on the moniker.
After her debut, Yelena continued to impress audiences in the Hawkeye series and is a highly anticipated part of the Thunderbolts* movie featuring a collection of darker Marvel superheroes. Now, Yelena is set to truly become Natasha’s successor by joining the Avengers, just as she did.
16
Beast
The X-Men Are Finally Joining The MCU
- Played By: Kelsey Grammer
- First Appearance: X-Men: The Last Stand
Now that Marvel Studios has full access to the X-Men, the future is bright for fans of mutants. Hank McCoy, also known as Beast, made a surprise appearance at the end of The Marvels when Monica Rambeau woke up in another universe where the X-Men exist. Not only did the character look straight out of the comics, but he was played by none other than Kelsey Grammer.
Kelsey Grammer first played Beast in X-Men: The Last Stand and made a cameo in X-Men: Days of Future Past. Fans gravitated toward his take on the character, and now Grammer gets to interact with even more Marvel heroes than ever in Avengers: Doomsday. Beast is a genius, much like Reed Richards or Tony Stark, so he will likely play a big part in the X-Men meeting the Avengers.
15
Sentry
When A Hero And Villain Are The Same Person
- Played By: Lewis Pullman
- First Appearance: Thunderbolts*
Lewis Pullman will portray Bob Reynolds, a hero and villain in Thunderbolts*. In the comics, he’s a drug addict-turned-superhero from a super-soldier serum. Sentry has the power of a thousand exploding suns, can fly, and rivals the likes of Captain Marvel in strength.
Unfortunately, Sentry is his own worst enemy, as he has an alternate personality known as The Void. This side of Sentry is his total opposite: dark and evil, a side effect of Bob’s schizophrenia. Both Sentry and the Void play a large part in Thunderbolts*, but which persona will be Avengers: Doomsday is unknown.
14
Falcon
Captain America Always Has A Falcon
- Played By: Danny Ramirez
- First Appearance: The Falcon And The Winter Soldier
Joaquin Torres was first introduced as Sam Wilson’s friend and partner in Falcon And The Winter Soldier, but when Sam took over as Captain America, he gave Torres his old wings. As a result, actor Danny Ramirez was set to return in Captain America: Brave New World as the new Falcon, fighting alongside Captain America just as Sam did with the moniker.
Joaquin Torres is shown to be rash in his approach, eager to prove himself to Sam Wilson with his fighting and technological skills. It allowed for a different dynamic between Captain America and Falcon, but also a strong one where Sam is more of a mentor, which will likely be tested in Avengers: Doomsday.
13
The Human Torch
The Power Of The Sun In The Palm Of His Hands
- Played By: Joseph Quinn
- First Appearance: The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Joseph Quinn is yet another face set to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe in The Fantastic Four: First Steps as Johnny Storm, The Human Torch. It makes it clear that The Fantastic Four will be playing an integral part in the fight against Doctor Doom, which makes sense seeing how Doom is their greatest rival in the comics.
Johnny Storm is the younger brother of Susan, the Invisible Woman, and he lives up to the name of The Human Torch. Much like the rest of The Fantastic Four, the world is lucky that Johnny turned out to be a hero because he can generate intense fires, such as supernovas, which can potentially destroy planets.
12
Red Guardian
He Always Wanted To Be A Real Superhero
- Played By: David Harbour
- First Appearance: Black Widow
David Harbour has become a comic book adaptation icon; he was 2019’s Hellboy, he joined James Gunn’s DCU as Frankenstein’s monster, and he stole the spotlight as Red Guardian in the Black Widow movie. He is a brute with a big heart, resulting in a lot of comedic relief, but he still proved effective as a superhero when the time came.
Red Guardian is considered a rejected hero, which is why he is an ideal candidate for the Thunderbolts* movie. However, joining Avengers: Doomsday is a nice full circle for the character, as he wanted to be a superhero like Captain America, and now, he has that opportunity to fulfill his dream by helping to save the Multiverse.
11
M’Baku
Winston Duke Brought New Life To The Character
- Played By: Winston Duke
- First Appearance: Black Panther
Sometimes, the MCU improves on a character from their comic book counterpart, and one of those cases is M’Baku of the Jabari Tribe. In the comics, he is a one-dimensional stereotype, whereas Winston Duke’s live-action portrayal gives him more depth and character development in both Black Panther movies and Avengers: Infinity War.
M’Baku proved to be as much of a hero as the Black Panther. He started as an antagonist but was shown to have more honor than the Border Tribe, aiding in the insurgency against Killmonger when he usurped the Wakandan throne. Additionally, he also added a surprising amount of comedy that made fans fall in love with him.
10
Ghost
Proof That Anybody Can Return To The MCU
- Played By: Hannah John-Kamen
- First Appearance: Ant-Man And The Wasp
Ghost is an example of how a character can be improved in sequels, as fans were initially not impressed with her as a villain in Ant-Man And The Wasp. However, Hannah John-Kamen already seems to be getting an upgrade as a member of the Thunderbolts*, and is now confirmed to be joining Avengers: Doomsday.
The concept of a character who can phase through any kind of matter is a fun one, so Ghost could lead to memorable action sequences under the direction of the Russo Brothers. As a bonus, fans can see her reunite with Ant-Man to resolve their old feud by showing how much she has changed.
9
Loki
The God Of Stories Might Assemble The Avengers
- Played By: Tom Hiddleston
- First Appearance: Loki
Many fans had their hearts broken when Loki died in Avengers: Infinity War, but fans of the Disney+ MCU shows know that he is not the only Loki. Thanks to the Multiverse concept, a variant of Loki got his own show, which followed him as he continuously evolved from a villain to a superhero of glorious purpose.
The ending of Loki Season 2 featured Loki sitting on a throne to create a Multiverse Tree to keep all timelines from being destroyed. This not only sets up Doctor Doom becoming God Emperor Doom, but potentially sets up Loki to be the one who assembles heroes from across the Multiverse to form the new Avengers.
8
Professor X
Charles Has Been There Since The Beginning Of Marvel Movies
- Played By: Patrick Stewart
- First Appearance: X-Men
Debuting in 2000, Patrick Stewart embodied the wise and telepathic role of Charles Xavier, also known as Professor X, with grace and elegance. He played the role for seventeen years across multiple X-Men movies until he ended his tenure alongside Hugh Jackman in Logan, with both characters meeting a sad end. However, that all changed when Marvel Studios acquired the rights to the X-Men.
Fans were shocked to see Charles Xavier, Professor X, return as a variant in Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness. With the X-Men continuously being teased in other films, the reveal of Patrick Stewart reprising the role once again in Avengers: Doomsday has fans eager to see him again.