Yesterday’s Avengers: Doomsday Livestream Unveils Star-Studded Cast — With Some Unexpected Gaps

Marvel Studios once again commanded attention in the entertainment sphere with a highly awaited — and painfully slow — livestream event to disclose the cast of its forthcoming blockbuster, Avengers: Doomsday. The five-and-a-half-hour livestream, which streamed on Marvel’s official YouTube channel, gradually revealed the film’s ensemble cast by displaying names on the backs of seats, one by one. While the revelation stirred considerable online excitement, it also prompted fans to scratch their heads due to some conspicuous omissions from the confirmed roster.

A Gradual Revelation

The livestream, which many fans labeled “the longest casting announcement in cinematic history,” was both a tribute to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and a true test of endurance. Viewers tuned in for hours as names were leisurely disclosed, confirming the return of several cherished characters and the debut of new ones. The major surprise? Robert Downey Jr., the original Iron Man, is back — but not as Tony Stark. Instead, he’s been cast as the film’s main antagonist: Doctor Doom.

This development had been hinted at since New York Comic Con 2024, yet its confirmation still sent ripples through the fandom. Downey Jr.’s return, even in a villainous capacity, marks a significant shift for the MCU and sets the atmosphere for what is anticipated to be one of the darkest Avengers films to date.

Confirmed Cast: A Blend of Familiar and New Faces

The confirmed cast of Avengers: Doomsday showcases a diverse mix of Marvel heroes and anti-heroes from across the MCU and beyond. Here’s the comprehensive list of characters and actors officially revealed:

– Chris Hemsworth – Thor
– Vanessa Kirby – Sue Storm
– Anthony Mackie – Sam Wilson / Captain America
– Sebastian Stan – Bucky Barnes / Winter Soldier
– Letitia Wright – Shuri / Black Panther
– Paul Rudd – Scott Lang / Ant-Man
– Wyatt Russell – John Walker / U.S. Agent
– Tenoch Huerta Mejía – Namor
– Ebon Moss-Bachrach – Richard “The Spot”
– Simu Liu – Shang-Chi
– Florence Pugh – Yelena Belova
– Kelsey Grammer – Dr. Hank McCoy / Beast
– Lewis Pullman – Bob Reynolds / Sentry
– Danny Ramirez – Joaquín Torres / New Falcon
– Joseph Quinn – Johnny Storm / Human Torch
– David Harbour – Alexei Shostakov / Red Guardian
– Winston Duke – M’Baku
– Hannah John-Kamen – Ava Starr / Ghost
– Tom Hiddleston – Loki
– Patrick Stewart – Professor Charles Xavier
– Ian McKellen – Magneto
– Alan Cumming – Kurt Wagner / Nightcrawler
– Rebecca Romijn – Mystique
– James Marsden – Cyclops
– Channing Tatum – Gambit
– Pedro Pascal – Reed Richards / Mr. Fantastic
– Robert Downey Jr. – Doctor Doom

This assembly brings together characters from the Avengers, X-Men, Fantastic Four, and more, signaling that Avengers: Doomsday will be a multiversal crossover event of monumental scale.

Notable Gaps: Where Are the Other Avengers?

Despite the impressive lineup, several important MCU characters were conspicuously absent from the announcement. Most notably, Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool and Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine — both slated to appear in Deadpool & Wolverine — were not included, despite fan theories suggesting they would be part of Doomsday.

Tom Holland’s Spider-Man was also not featured in the list. Given the character’s pivotal role in the MCU and the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, his absence raises questions about Marvel’s direction with the web-slinger. Likewise, Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire, who returned to their roles in No Way Home, were not referenced.

Other excluded Avengers include:

– Chris Evans (Steve Rogers / Captain America)
– Mark Ruffalo (Bruce Banner / Hulk)
– Brie Larson (Carol Danvers / Captain Marvel)
– Don Cheadle (James Rhodes / War Machine)
– Paul Bettany (Vision)
– Evangeline Lilly (Hope van Dyne / The Wasp)
– Tessa Thompson (Valkyrie)
– Benedict Cumberbatch (Doctor Strange)
– Elizabeth Olsen (Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch)

Moreover, the entire cast of The Eternals and characters from Disney+ and Netflix Marvel series — including Daredevil, Moon Knight, and Ms. Marvel — were omitted from the announcement.

Implications for the MCU

The absence of these characters does not necessarily indicate they won’t feature in the film. Marvel is renowned for its secrecy and unexpected cameos, and it’s entirely feasible that more casting announcements will come closer to the film’s release.