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.

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.

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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.