The confirmed cast for Avengers: Doomsday is certainly exciting, but also frustrating as several key Marvel characters are missing. As the MCU timeline builds toward this mᴀssive event, it’s surprising that some of the MCU’s most important figures didn’t make the official Avengers: Doomsday cast. These omissions raise questions about Marvel’s long-term plans and if certain heroes will return at all. Many of these characters were expected due to their past Avengers connections, their relationship with Iron Man, or the X-Men. While the MCU’s Avengers: Doomsday promises an epic showdown, the absence of these beloved characters is disappointing.
Marvel Studios recently revealed the full Avengers: Doomsday line-up in an extensive live-stream on their official social media channels. The announcement confirmed major returning heroes like Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Captain America (Anthony Mackie), and Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom. The event also shockingly revealed actors from the original X-Men franchise, such as Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen, solidifying the MCU’s multiverse expansion. However, despite these major inclusions, some expected characters were nowhere to be seen.
10
Shira Haas’s Black Widow
Introduced In Captain America: Brave New World
Shira Haas debuted as Ruth Bat-Seraph in Captain America: Brave New World. Unlike her comic book counterpart, who is a mutant who uses the name Sabra, the MCU’s rendition is a former Black Widow trained in the Red Room. Given how Natasha Romanoff’s legacy has been a significant theme in the MCU, it seemed likely that a new Black Widow would step up for Avengers: Doomsday.
However, despite rumors and growing excitement about Haas’s portrayal, she’s nowhere to be found in the confirmed cast. Haas’s absence is particularly frustrating since Brave New World established her as an important MCU character and an ally of Sam Wilson – who is building the new Avengers team. It would have been the perfect opportunity to solidify her place among Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, but for now, her future in the Avengers remains unclear.
9
Jeremy Renner’s Hawkeye
One Of The Few Original Avengers
As one of the few original Avengers still extant in the primary MCU timeline, Clint Barton (Jeremy Renner) has been a crucial part of the MCU since Phase One. His deep history with the team and his experiences in Avengers: Endgame and Hawkeye make his absence from Avengers: Doomsday incredibly frustrating. Clint retired before, but he always returns when the world needs him.
Given how personal the Avengers’ battles have been for him, it seems odd that he would sit this one out, particularly after being absent during Avengers: infinity War. Furthermore, Kate Bishop (Hailee Steinfeld) is also missing from the movie. If Kate is stepping up as the next Hawkeye, it would make sense for one of them to appear. Renner’s Hawkeye helped define the Avengers and not including him in what could be their final battle feels like a missed opportunity.
8
Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange
Strange Has Been Central To The Multiverse Saga
If any MCU character should be in Avengers: Doomsday, it’s Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch). As the Sorcerer Supreme and one of the key figures responsible for dealing with multiversal threats, Strange has been a major driving force in the MCU timeline since Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Given that Avengers: Doomsday is expected to deal with multiverse chaos, it’s baffling that Strange isn’t involved.
Strange played a major role in bringing together heroes in Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, and without him, Earth’s Mightiest Heroes may struggle to understand the full scope of the battle ahead. Additionally, Wong (Benedict Wong) has been a major presence in recent MCU projects, yet he also appears to be missing. Without Strange guiding the Avengers through the complexities of the multiverse, the team may be at a serious disadvantage.
7
Ryan Reynolds’ ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool
Introduced In The MCU In ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool & Wolverine
Few absences are as shocking as Ryan Reynolds’ ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool. With ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool & Wolverine establishing the Merc with a Mouth in the MCU, it seemed inevitable that he would play a role in Avengers: Doomsday. Given the confirmation of classic X-Men characters plus Channing Tatum’s Gambit (who debuted in ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool & Wolverine), it feels like a major missed opportunity not to include ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool in the Avengers’ biggest fight yet.
ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool’s fourth-wall-breaking humor and chaotic energy would have been an exciting addition to the film, especially considering his comic book history with the Avengers. Since the Avengers: Secret Wars storyline is expected to be a mᴀssive multiversal event, there’s still hope he could appear in that film instead. However, his absence in Doomsday is frustrating for anyone who was excited to see ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool interact with Earth’s Mightiest Heroes for the first time.
6
Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel
Joined The Avengers During The Blip
Carol Danvers was one of the most significant Avengers between Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, standing as Earth’s strongest protector during the Blip. Her absence from Avengers: Doomsday is particularly glaring given how central she was in defeating Thanos. She’s been set up as a key player in cosmic threats, and Doctor Doom – one of the most dangerous minds in the multiverse – feels like an enemy she should be facing.
Captain Marvel’s power level alone makes her a crucial ᴀsset in battle, and she was only just getting started as a leader in The Marvels. Not having her in Avengers: Doomsday suggests a serious power vacuum, and it’s hard not to wonder why one of the MCU’s most powerful heroes is missing from its most ambitious crossover yet. That said, as such an over-powered character, omitting her does certainly raise the stakes further.
5
Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine
Many Original X-Men Are Appearing
With Avengers: Doomsday bringing in multiple X-Men from Fox’s past films, it’s strange that Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine isn’t among them. Jackman is already set to return after ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool & Wolverine, which even joked that Disney would make him play the role until he was 90. Given his deep connections with both Marvel’s multiverse and the idea of tragic heroes facing overwhelming odds, Wolverine would have been a perfect fit for Doomsday.
Even a cameo could have cemented his legacy within the MCU, bridging the gap between Fox’s X-Men and the MCU’s Avengers using an established character. While there’s still hope that Jackman’s return to Marvel isn’t a one-time event, it’s frustrating that Doomsday isn’t making use of one of the most iconic X-Men ever. If Doomsday is about Marvel’s biggest heroes uniting, it’s baffling why Logan isn’t on the roster.
4
Teyonah Parris’s Monica Rambeau
Was Transported to The X-Men’s Universe In The Marvels
Monica Rambeau’s ending in The Marvels left her stranded in an alternate universe that housed Fox’s X-Men, making her absence from Avengers: Doomsday particularly frustrating. Since Doomsday is set to incorporate multiversal heroes and X-Men veterans, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to continue Monica’s storyline. She had already proven to be a formidable force, with abilities that rival Carol Danvers.
Beyond her powers, Monica is deeply tied to the legacy of the Avengers, carrying on her mother’s spirit and having direct connections to Nick Fury. Not including her feels like a major missed opportunity, especially as the X-Men are involved. Her arc in The Marvels ended on a major cliffhanger, and ignoring her in Doomsday makes it seem like Marvel doesn’t have a clear plan for her future despite building her up as a significant hero.
3
Tom Holland’s Spider-Man
One Of Iron Man’s Closest Allies
Spider-Man’s absence from Avengers: Doomsday is one of the biggest disappointments, especially considering how much emotional weight he would have brought to the story. As Doctor Doom is being played by Robert Downey Jr., who previously played Iron Man, the physical resemblance will presumably need to be addressed. Peter Parker – who saw Tony Stark as a mentor and father figure – could have had one of the most compelling arcs in the film when confronted with RDJ’s Doom.
Moreover, Spider-Man is one of the MCU’s most beloved characters, and his lack of involvement in the next Avengers event feels like a wasted opportunity. Given how Spider-Man No Way Home ended with Peter starting over, Doomsday could have been the perfect way to reintroduce him to the larger MCU. Instead, audiences are left waiting for the fourth Spider-Man movie coming after Doomsday.
2
Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk
Hulk Has Been Repeatedly Sidelined In The MCU
Hulk’s absence in Avengers: Doomsday continues the unfortunate trend of the MCU sidelining Bruce Banner. Ever since Thor: Ragnarok, the character has been used more for comedic relief than as a powerhouse, and even in Endgame, he took a backseat. Given that Doomsday is shaping up to be one of the biggest MCU events yet, leaving Hulk out feels like a major oversight.
Doom is a villain who thrives on intellect and strategy – exactly the kind of foe Bruce Banner should be going up against. Plus, Hulk is one of the original Avengers, and his lack of involvement in the team’s latest battle is disappointing. With She-Hulk introducing Jennifer Walters, there was hope that Bruce would take on a more active role in shaping the future of the Hulk legacy. Instead, he’s once again left out of the action, continuing this frustrating trend.
1
Don Cheadle’s War Machine
War Machine Was Iron Man’s Best Friend
With Robert Downey Jr. returning as Doctor Doom, it’s frustrating that James “Rhodey” Rhodes isn’t confirmed for Avengers: Doomsday. As Iron Man’s best friend and one of the few remaining original Avengers, War Machine would have brought a personal connection to Doom’s rise. His presence could have made the conflict even more emotional, as he would be forced to confront a villain who eerily resembles his fallen best friend.
Rhodey has been in the MCU since Iron Man, yet he’s rarely been given the spotlight. With Secret Invasion sidelining his character and Armor Wars still in development, Doomsday seemed like the perfect place for him to return in a major and fitting way. Instead, the MCU continues to underutilize a character who should be one of the emotional anchors of RDJ’s return to the MCU in Avengers: Doomsday.
Upcoming MCU Movies
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Thunderbolts*
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May 2, 2025
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The Fantastic Four: First Steps
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July 25, 2025
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Avengers: Doomsday (2026)
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MCU Spider-Man 4
- Release Date
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July 24, 2026
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Avengers: Secret Wars
- Release Date
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May 7, 2027
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