Marvel Studios’ recent Avengers: Doomsday casting announcement has sparked intense speculation, particularly regarding the order in which names were revealed. Marvel unveiled the Avengers: Doomsday cast in a slow-burn online event – every 13 minutes, for five and a half hours, a new director’s chair was revealed, each emblazoned with an actor’s name. This methodical approach didn’t just generate excitement; it also raised intriguing questions about the potential narrative implications. The order in which these names were revealed may hint at character dynamics, team-ups, and even overarching story elements within the MCU’s Avengers: Doomsday.
Before announcing the Avengers: Doomsday cast, Marvel had already confirmed Robert Downey Jr.’s return, playing the long-awaited Doctor Doom. However, the extensive livestream introduced major names to the MCU timeline, both old and new. Many of these were seemingly revealed out of any logical order or grouping. As the MCU are known for their meticulous attention to detail, this order must have been planned very deliberately – and consequently hints at some potential narratives.
10
Sam Wilson And Bucky Barnes Team-Up Again
Sam And Bucky Have One Of The MCU’s Most Beloved Friendships
One of the most exciting details about the cast reveal was the proximity of Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan. Mackie, who plays Sam Wilson (the MCU’s new Captain America), was revealed third, with Sebastian Stan, Bucky Barnes (AKA the Winter Soldier), appeared immediately next. This placement of these two actors suggests that Sam and Bucky will once again team up in Avengers: Doomsday.
Sam and Bucky’s dynamic is one of the MCU’s most entertaining. While this served as the focus of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, it still left room for further development, and it seems Marvel is ready to explore that potential. With the world still adjusting to Sam as Captain America, and Bucky looking for a renewed sense of purpose among the Thunderbolts, their partnership could be a key emotional arc in the film.
9
Doomsday Gives Us A Top Gun: Maverick Reunion
Falcon And Bob Are Played By Top Gun Alumni
An unexpected but intriguing detail in the Avengers: Doomsday casting reveal was the consecutive placement of Danny Ramirez and Lewis Pullman – both of whom starred in Top Gun: Maverick. Lewis Pulman plays a character simply named Bob in Thunderbolts* – though he is strongly suspected to be Marvel’s complex and afflicted superhero, Sentry. Ramirez, meanwhile, was introduced in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier as Joaquin Torres and took over the mantle of the Falcon officially in Captain America: Brave New World.
The fact that Ramirez was revealed immediately after Ramirez suggests their characters may have a shared storyline. Though Bob’s storyline in Thunderbolts* has not been confirmed, it appears from the trailers that he will join the eponymous anti-hero team – who are also confirmed in the Avengers: Doomsday cast. Likewise, Ramirez’s partnership with Sam Wilson implies his place among Cap’s new Avengers team, meaning that the former Top Gun: Maverick actors could reunite for a very different battle, adding another layer of comradery to the ensemble cast.
8
Bucky Barnes Finally Interacts With Shuri
Shuri Helped Bucky’s Rehabilitation
One of the biggest missed opportunities in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame was a proper interaction between Bucky Barnes and Shuri, despite their history in Wakanda. However, in the Avengers: Doomsday cast reveal, Sebastian Stan’s chair was followed by Leтιтia Wright’s, implying a significant connection between their characters in the film. The Winter Soldier’s time in Wakanda played a crucial role in his rehabilitation, and Shuri was responsible for helping remove Hydra’s programming from his mind.
Unfortunately, this was reduced to a brief post-credits scene in Black Panther – though it was depicted in the Avengers: Infinity War Prelude comic. Given this history, an on-screen interaction is long-overdue. It would be captivating to see their relationship and dynamic regarding Bucky’s continuing health or leaping into battle together with Shuri as Black Panther. Regardless, Avengers: Doomsday will finally deliver this fascinating relationship.
7
The MCU Gives Us A Classic X-Men Team Lineup
Several Actors From Fox’s X-Men Have Been Confirmed
The reveal of multiple X-Men actors in rapid succession was an especially thrilling moment in the Avengers: Doomsday announcement. It suggests a classic X-Men lineup within the MCU. Patrick Stewart (Professor X), Ian McKellen (Magneto), Alan Cumming (Nightcrawler), Rebecca Romijn (Mystique), and James Marsden (Cyclops), and were all announced in sequence, suggesting they will appear together rather than in isolated cameos. The X-Men’s arrival in the MCU has been a long time coming, and this particular group of actors represents the most iconic version of the team from the Fox era.
Kelsey Grammer was confirmed earlier in the line-up, having already reprized his role as Beast in The Marvels. This line-up could indicate battle-hardened X-Men stepping into the fray to ᴀssist the Avengers against an overwhelming threat. Whether they are from another universe or officially part of the MCU timeline, seeing these legendary characters stand together once more is sure to be a highlight of the film.
6
Doomsday Avoids Sue Storm And Namor’s Relationship
Namor Is Infatuated With Sue In The Comics
In Marvel Comics, Namor the Sub-Mariner has a long history of romantic tension with Sue Storm, often creating conflict with Reed Richards. However, Avengers: Doomsday appears to be steering clear of this dynamic, at least for now. During the casting reveal, Vanessa Kirby (Sue Storm) and Tenoch Huerta (Namor) were placed quite far apart each other, suggesting their relationship may not be a major plot point.
Instead, this could mean Namor has other priorities – perhaps an alliance with Doctor Doom or even an uneasy alliance with the surface world. It also signals that the Fantastic Four’s focus in the film might revolve around their rivalry with Doom rather than romantic subplots. While future MCU films could explore Sue and Namor’s complicated dynamic, Avengers: Doomsday seems to be emphasizing larger-scale conflicts over personal entanglements between these two characters.
5
Channing Tatum’s Gambit Will Be Part Of The X-Men Team
Tatum Joined The MCU In ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool & Wolverine
One of the biggest surprises in the Avengers: Doomsday cast reveal was Channing Tatum. Tatum famously peтιтioned for the role for years, coming close to starring in a Gambit movie on numerous occasions. This dream was finally fulfilled in ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool & Wolverine, which depicted Tatum’s Gambit in all his comic-accurate glory – dodgy accent included. While certainly thrilling, his role was fairly short, so a subsequent appearance in Avengers: Doomsday would certainly be most welcome.
Tatum’s name appeared alongside the confirmed X-Men actors, strongly suggesting he will be part of the classic Fox team rather than a solo mutant. Audiences have been waiting years for Gambit to get proper MCU representation, and placing him within a team dynamic could be a game-changer. This positioning could mean Gambit is a key player in the film’s mutant storyline, potentially serving as a wild card in battles against major threats.
4
Doom’s Rivalry With Mr. Fantastic Will Be Central
Doctor Doom Is Normally Reed Richards’ Archnemesis
The final moments of the casting reveal saw Pedro Pascal (Reed Richards) and Robert Downey Jr. (Doctor Doom) placed next to each other, hinting at their prominence in Avengers: Doomsday. In the comics, the rivalry between Reed and Doom is one of Marvel’s most legendary conflicts, with Doom obsessively seeking to prove his superiority over Mr. Fantastic. This suggests that their dynamic will be a major focus of the film, possibly shaping the entire narrative.
As Marvel Studios is positioning Doom as the primary antagonist, his interactions with Reed could drive much of the story’s tension. Whether Doom is the film’s main villain or a more morally complex figure remains to be seen, but his placement next to Reed in the reveal suggests a direct clash. This groundwork is suspected to be lain in the MCU’s Fantastic Four movies, but is most speculative.
3
The Avengers Will Team Up With The Fantastic Four And The Thunderbolts
Avengers: Doomsday Features Multiple Marvel Teams
Unlike previous MCU films where teams were clearly divided, the cast reveal for Avengers: Doomsday featured an interesting mix. The Avengers, Fantastic Four, and Thunderbolts actors were scattered next to each other rather than grouped separately. This suggests a major crossover effort, with multiple factions working together. It’s possible that the looming threat in Avengers: Doomsday – whether it’s Doom, a multiversal catastrophe, or another surprise villain – will force heroes from different backgrounds to join forces.
Given that the Fantastic Four are still new to the MCU, this could serve as their introduction to the larger superhero community. Meanwhile, the Thunderbolts, who traditionally operate in morally gray areas, might have a unique role to play in a fight that requires unconventional tactics. The jumbled arrangement of their names implies a story where traditional team boundaries no longer matter.
2
Thor Will Lead The Movie As The Only Original Avenger
Chris Hemsworth Was The First Actor Announced
Chris Hemsworth’s Thor was the very first name revealed in the cast announcement, immediately setting him apart as a major player in Avengers: Doomsday. As the last remaining original Avenger still active in the MCU, Thor is in a unique position to lead this new era of heroes. His placement at the beginning of the reveal suggests that he could have one of the most significant roles in the film.
Given Thor’s experiences with cosmic threats and powerful adversaries, Thor might serve as a bridge between the different factions appearing in Avengers: Doomsday. He’s also the primary cast member to have a previous relationship with RDJ’s Iron Man and thus will be vital in exploring Doom’s physical similarities. Whether he’s rallying the Avengers, working with the Fantastic Four, or facing off against Doom, the God of Thunder’s role seems crucial.
1
Shang-Chi Finally Works With Other MCU Heroes
Shang-Chi Has Only Appeared In His Solo Movie
Simu Liu’s Shang-Chi was placed among the main heroes in the casting reveal, indicating that he will finally interact with the larger MCU. Despite his solo film setting up major plot points – especially with the Ten Rings – Shang-Chi has yet to appear in any major crossover. His positioning within the Avengers: Doomsday reveal suggests he will take part in the ensemble’s larger battle.
This could mean his mystical abilities, as well as the origin of the Ten Rings, will be explored further in the film’s narrative. With so many different power sets and backgrounds coming together, Shang-Chi’s martial arts skills and mystical connections could bring a fresh perspective to the fight. If Avengers: Doomsday gives him a key role, it could set the stage for Shang-Chi to become a major force in the MCU’s future team-ups.
Upcoming MCU Movies
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Thunderbolts*
- Release Date
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May 2, 2025
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The Fantastic Four: First Steps
- Release Date
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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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