15 Marvel Stars Not in Avengers ‘Doomsday’

Marvel’s gradual unveiling of the cast for Avengers: Doomsday was a brilliant marketing tactic that kept 100,000 fans hooked on a live YouTube feed for hours. The chairs of directors held names ranging from predictable to genuinely shocking.

Among the day’s unexpected omissions were several notable names that failed to appear on the list before Robert Downey Jr. concluded the live feed. Although it’s expected that more Marvel characters will feature in “Doomsday,” the initial cast list primarily focused on ex-Avengers, along with the casts of “Thunderbolts,” “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” and the old X-Men movies from Fox. This implied that some of Marvel’s most renowned actors, who have graced numerous MCU films and series, as well as stars who spearheaded the studio’s highest-grossing films, were not mentioned.

Speaking of Marvel, they have a knack for both astonishing their audience and orchestrating intricate ruses to leave fans astounded. Take, for instance, their denial of Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield’s involvement in Spider-Man: No Way Home, only to reveal it on the movie’s release day! It wouldn’t surprise me if they repeated such a strategy. Therefore, even if an actor isn’t mentioned in the official cast for Avengers: Doomsday, don’t rule out the possibility of their appearance. However, here are fifteen names that left us genuinely puzzled as to why they weren’t initially announced.

Marvel Characters Who Aren’t in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’

Nick Fury

Nick Fury has featured in 12 Marvel Cinematic Universe films (including every single Avengers movie) and his own Disney+ series, Secret Invasion. However, Samuel L. Jackson’s name was missing from the long list of cast members announced at the beginning of Doomsday filming on YouTube. It’s possible he could still make an appearance, as he did in a post-credits scene at the end of Avengers: Infinity War. But if he does appear, it suggests he won’t play a central role in the movie’s plot, which is somewhat unexpected.

Hulk (And She-Hulk)

As a diehard Marvel fan, it’s always exciting to see my favorite characters in action! Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk has been a staple in every Avengers movie, and he’s also graced our screens in numerous other MCU productions. Just like the rest of us, he was left out of the cast for Avengers: Endgame. And when it comes to shows, Ruffalo recently made an appearance on She-Hulk: Attorney at Law on Disney+, with Tatiana Maslany bringing the title character to life.

Given that a showdown with Doctor Doom (and possibly alternate realities) seems imminent – a situation that calls for the MCU’s heavy hitters – it’s surprising that She-Hulk and Hulk aren’t among the confirmed names for the upcoming film.

Red Hulk

There’s also a new Hulk introduced in the MCU: Harrison Ford’s Red Hulk, who appears in Captain America: Brave New World. While his final scene doesn’t necessarily suggest he’ll be transforming into the Hulk frequently, the upcoming movie Avengers: Doomsday seems to involve a threat to the entire MCU from Doctor Doom and possibly an invasion from another reality. Given this dire situation, it seems every Hulk, regardless of their color or criminal history, could be needed.

Doctor Strange and Wong

The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s superheroes aren’t very familiar with multiverse threats, except for Doctor Strange, whose movie was centered around a ‘Multiverse of Madness’. Interestingly, Benedict Cumberbatch, who played Doctor Strange in the previous film, is not featured in the current movie, ‘Doomsday’, and neither is Benedict Wong’s character Wong, despite being the Earth’s current Sorcerer Supreme. However, it’s important to note that anything a Marvel actor says before a movie’s release should be taken with a grain of salt. Benedict Cumberbatch, in interviews, has stated that he is not part of ‘Doomsday’, but will play a significant role in its sequel, ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’. We’ll find out soon enough.

America Chavez

In “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” I was thrilled to meet America Chavez, a Marvel Comics character who can traverse the multiverse through portals. Her powers almost make her a divine intervention in a film like “Avengers: Doomsday.” It’s possible that Xochitl Gomez, who plays America Chavez, wasn’t featured in the “Doomsday” cast for this reason. Yet, if she’s not going to appear in a movie where the multiverse’s survival is at stake, will we have another chance to witness this captivating character?

Tom Holland’s Spider-Man

It’s been speculated that Tom Holland could appear in “Avengers: Doomsday,” and he seems to be preparing for a fourth standalone Spider-Man movie in collaboration with Marvel Studios. Whether or not they didn’t reveal him due to spoilers, or he won’t feature prominently until “Secret Wars” – considering the rumors about that film’s plot, this could potentially fit better.

Captain Marvel

In the official roster for Marvel’s “Doomsday,” Kelsey Grammer plays The Beast, who was last seen in an additional scene following the credits of “The Marvels.” This brief encounter saw him talking with Monica Rambeau, who had traveled from the Multiverse and ended up in a universe where the X-Men reside. This might seem confusing to someone unfamiliar with Marvel films. Consequently, it’s not entirely surprising that The Beast is appearing in “Avengers: Doomsday.” What is peculiar, though, is that Grammer is part of the film, while none of the main characters from “The Marvels” (such as Captain Marvel) appear to be involved (or have not been announced yet). Given her role in recent years, protecting Earth from extraterrestrial threats, it seems unusual for Captain Marvel to be left out. Perhaps there will be a subsequent announcement with additional cast members?

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Ms. Marvel

In the previously mentioned “The Marvels” and the significant tear in the multiverse, Ms. Marvel not only played a pivotal part but also hinted at creating her own Young Avengers team, which seems fitting for future Avengers sequels. It’s possible that Marvel is reserving her and this team for “Secret Wars” or maybe even a standalone “Young Avengers” movie yet to be revealed.

Rocket Raccoon (and the new Guardians of the Galaxy)

While it’s true that the conclusion of “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” marked the end of one iteration of the team, with some cast members indicating their Marvel journey has come to an end, such as Dave Bautista. However, it’s important to note that “Vol. 3” also introduced a fresh lineup of Guardians, with Rocket Raccoon and Groot continuing as central characters. It’s possible that the high-profile actors associated with these roles might be occupied or financially unavailable for brief appearances. Considering the significant role the original Guardians played in “Infinity War” and “Endgame”, it seems surprising to me that they wouldn’t have been included in “Doomsday”.

Deadpool and Wolverine

Marvel revealed that numerous X-Men cast members will feature in the film “Doomsday,” but surprisingly, two actors who many people anticipated would be involved – Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman from “Deadpool” and “Wolverine” respectively – have not yet been confirmed. However, this doesn’t necessarily imply they won’t appear in the movie; for now, it simply means their participation hasn’t been officially announced. With 27 named stars already on board, Reynolds and Jackman are certainly valuable additions, so maybe Marvel is planning to bring them into action during “Avengers: Secret Wars”?

The First Class X-Men

As a fan following the X-Men saga, I noticed that all the actors announced for “Doomsday” hail from the initial Fox X-Men series, with Channing Tatum being the exception. Interestingly, none of the stars from the subsequent prequel films are present – despite their stellar lineup that includes James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Nicholas Hoult, and Jennifer Lawrence. What makes this even more intriguing is that “Doomsday” is a multiverse movie, allowing for multiple variations of the X-Men to appear. This opens up the possibility for an exciting twist in the upcoming “Secret Wars”; we could see the original cast in “Doomsday”, and then perhaps the prequel cast in the sequel. Now, isn’t that a captivating thought?

The Wasp

It’s surprising that The Wasp wasn’t originally planned to appear in the fifth Avengers movie, titled “The Kang Dynasty”. Given that she and Ant-Man were among the few MCU heroes who encountered Kang personally, it seems unusual. Currently, only Paul Rudd (Ant-Man) has been officially confirmed for the new film called “Doomsday”. This could mean that Evangeline Lilly’s (The Wasp) involvement was kept secret for some reason, or Marvel significantly altered their plans when they brought Robert Downey Jr. back to reprise his role.

Moon Knight

If I’m not mistaken, it appears that no characters from Marvel’s Disney+ series are featured in the “Doomsday” cast. It seems hard to believe that not a single hero from Disney+ is in this movie – even Hawkeye? Or perhaps Hawkeye? But for now, it looks like they aren’t included. However, I assume Jeremy Renner will make an appearance in the film, although likely in a minor role.

As for Moon Knight, he’s a character linked to gods and various mystical entities, portrayed by Oscar Isaac, one of the most renowned actors in the Marvel Cinematic Universe at present. Moon Knight was also a West Coast Avenger! Come on, Moon Knight, join the action!

Daredevil

It’s possible that Daredevil, portrayed by Charlie Cox, might be too focused on street-level crimes for a movie like “Avengers: Doomsday.” However, Matt Murdock, the character played by Cox, has been quite prevalent in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He appeared in “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” made an appearance in “She-Hulk,” and is currently starring in one of the more impressive Disney+ Marvel series, “Daredevil: Born Again.” So, perhaps Victor Von Doom doesn’t need a good lawyer after all.

Literally Any Member of the Eternals

In the final credits of “Eternals,” it was stated that “The Eternals will return.” However, this statement seems increasingly questionable as there’s been no news about a potential “Eternals 2” for quite some time. The character from that film, the Celestial, appeared in “Captain America: Brave New World,” but the rest of the Eternals team were noticeably absent, neither appearing nor mentioned. Similarly, they are missing from the cast list of “Doomsday.” Despite their potential usefulness in a story about cosmic threats, it appears that we won’t be seeing the Eternals anytime soon. My apologies to those who were hoping for more Druig. Keep your fingers crossed, everyone!

The Best Marvel Movies Not Made By Marvel Studios

15. Deadpool 2 (2018)

In the sequel to “Deadpool,” the second film surpassed the first one by weaving an unexpectedly emotional storyline for Ryan Reynolds’ character, Wade Wilson. Notably, Josh Brolin was brilliantly cast as Cable, offering a perfect contrast to Deadpool’s chatty persona with his strong, silent demeanor. The introduction of X-Force is one of the most hilarious ongoing jokes in this collection. I recommend watching the original R-rated version for the best experience; the PG-13 version takes a different comedic approach.

14. Captain America (1944)

For approximately four decades, only Captain America was adapted from Marvel Comics for the big screen. However, this early 1944 serial didn’t feature Steve Rogers as Captain America; instead, it depicted Grant Gardner, a district attorney with a strong moral compass. Unlike his comic book counterpart, this Cap didn’t receive the Super-Soldier Serum or wield an indestructible shield. Instead, he battled “The Scarab,” a typical 1940s villain on a mission to acquire various high-tech plot devices known as MacGuffins. The first of these was a “thermodynamic vibration engine” capable of causing skyscrapers to collapse, although the characters frequently referred to it as a vibrator. In other words, if this device didn’t stop functioning, the building would crumble.

13. Spider-Man 3 (2007)

The final Spider-Man film directed by Sam Raimi has often been unjustly criticized, even by Raimi himself who admitted it didn’t execute well. While not everything in it shines, there are many aspects that do, such as the powerful action sequences from the Maguire trilogy, like the thrilling mid-air rescue of Gwen Stacy from a construction accident. The primary issue for many viewers is the portrayal of Venom, particularly Raimi’s use of the black suit as an extended joke, which can be seen in a scene where a “corrupted” Peter under the influence of his alien costume dances through New York streets. It’s true that these moments were out of sync with the trend toward dark and gritty superheroes prevalent in many films at that time. However, when you consider Spider-Man 3 as Raimi intentionally satirizing the concept of a “dark” comic book movie through Venom, the overall experience becomes more coherent.

12. X-Men (2000)

Absolutely, I can’t help but agree that the reference to Toads and lightning feels a bit off. The black leather costumes certainly give the movie an outdated vibe. But let’s not forget, Hugh Jackman’s physique in later sequels was significantly more impressive; here, his Logan seems somewhat diminutive compared to his future portrayals. Nevertheless, there’s no denying that the first X-Men played a pivotal role in igniting the superhero movie craze of the 2000s. It managed to capture the essence of these characters flawlessly, translating them onto the screen with a keen editor’s touch, stripping away unnecessary elements and focusing on what would resonate with a broad audience. Incidentally, did you know that Hugh Jackman, who went on to become a global sensation as Wolverine, was almost overlooked for the role? He was the filmmakers’ second choice, and only landed the part after the original Logan, Dougray Scott, had to withdraw due to delays in the filming of Mission: Impossible II.

11. The Punisher (1989)

In a sewer hideout akin to that of Ninja Turtles, Frank Castle engages in combat with underwater ninjas (similar to Ninja Turtle encounters), utters grunts reminiscent of Dolph Lundgren, clashes with the Yakuza within an antiquated amusement park where numerous foes slide down a giant water slide while shooting guns simultaneously, and in one instance, after Frank demolishes a mobster’s residence, a journalist exclaims “Good heavens, that’s the Punisher!” Essentially, this film presents an exciting portrayal of the Punisher, though I’m not convinced it is the finest movie about him.

10. Big Hero 6 (2014)

In the heart of thrilling sci-fi sequences, accompanied by a charming robot companion, “Big Hero 6” skillfully combines Disney’s storytelling charm with Marvel’s action-packed flair. While the plot involving a villain stealing a teen prodigy’s microbots technology is more successful in this instance, it can sometimes overshadow the deeply moving aspects about coping with grief and loss. Regardless, research shows that soft robots are the most endearing, and Baymax (voiced by Scott Adsit) takes the cake as the softest robot of them all.

9. X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)

A captivating blend of veteran and newer X-Men actors (with fewer truly old and more recently aged ones), showcases a robust performance by Hugh Jackman as the main attraction. The new X-Men, such as Blink whose powers are imaginatively utilized, add excitement, while Quicksilver (Evan Peters) steals the spotlight with his super-speed heroics, saving Wolverine, Magneto, and Professor X during a firefight at the Pentagon. However, the film’s main flaw lies in its unusual approach to rewriting key elements of First Class. Characters we thought were still alive are revealed to have perished off-screen, the school that was just starting is already defunct, and even Professor X’s paralysis undergoes an unexpected healing period.

8. Blade (1998)

As a dedicated movie enthusiast, I’ve always been captivated by the untapped potential of Marvel’s storytelling. Even before many in Hollywood caught on, Wesley Snipes was already a firm believer. In an amusingly characteristic interview as Blade, he expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “Playing a comic-book character is the ultimate blend because anything goes! You can invent a unique voice, appearance, sound, and movement style.” Snipes’ Blade film served as the precursor to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, laying the groundwork for a seamlessly interconnected world where humans and monsters coexist.

7. X2 (2003)

As a passionate movie critic, I wholeheartedly believe that “X2” stands tall as one of the most significant superhero films to emerge in this century. The groundbreaking “X-Men” and the pioneering “Spider-Man” demonstrated the enchantment of comics on the big screen. However, it was “X2” that elevated the medium, proving that movies could not only match but surpass the magic of comic books.

Sequences such as Nightcrawler’s thrilling White House infiltration epitomize this achievement. The fluid motion of his teleportation, a signature move for the character, was brought to life in a way that static panels on a page could never achieve. This film marked a turning point, much like the bursting dam in its climax symbolizing the floodgates opening, as the Hollywood Superhero era truly took flight post-“X2”. The landscape of superhero cinema was forever altered by this masterpiece.

6. Logan (2017)

For Jackman, the third solo Wolverine film, Logan, proved to be the winning formula. This time, Wolverine was allowed to fully embody his brutal, sorrowful persona, a departure from previous films due to its R-rating. The storyline, set during the hero’s last days, benefited greatly from this darker, more intense approach. Additionally, by focusing on a minimal cast, it addressed the issue of overcrowding often seen in main X-Men movies. Among the few characters were an outstanding Patrick Stewart as an aging Professor X, struggling with mental decline and therefore his control of one of the most potent weapons worldwide.

5. Blade II (2002)

In “Blade II,” Wesley Snipes’ dynamic portrayal of the stylish vampire slayer Blade combined with Guillermo del Toro’s distinctive dark, grisly horror style resulted in a sequel that was both thrilling and terrifying, surpassing the original film. Del Toro introduced a chilling new breed of super vampires, ominously birthed from a pandemic, characterized by their elongated jaws and appetite for consuming human and vampire blood. Only Blade, with his unyielding martial arts skills, stands a chance against them (as everyone knows, vampires have only four weaknesses: silver, garlic, sunlight, and spin kicks).

4. Spider-Man (2002)

With numerous Spider-Man films gracing our screens annually, it’s easy to overlook just how extraordinary Sam Raimi’s first Spider-Man film was back in 2002. Despite the movie appearing somewhat outdated now, it was revolutionary for its time. It nailed every aspect: The costume design, the action sequences, the special effects, the poignant death of Uncle Ben, and Peter Parker’s intricate relationships with Norman and Harry Osborn. It reshaped mainstream audiences’ perspective on superhero films and paved the way for the current landscape of cinematic universes. Plus, who can forget that iconic final shot where Spidey swings through New York City in a single, breathtaking take? Countless other superhero movies have since attempted to replicate this memorable finale.

3. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)

In the grand continuation of “Into the Spider-Verse,” I find myself encountering Spider-Man 2099 and his Spider Society, an intriguing group dedicated to guarding the multiverse against threats such as the Spot, a formidable new villain capable of opening interdimensional gateways on a whim. As stunning as “Into the Spider-Verse” was, the sequel, titled “Across the Spider-Verse,” promises an even more captivating and daring narrative. For instance, the realm of Spider-Gwen is like a vibrant watercolor painting come to life, while Spider-Man India hails from “Mumbattan,” a swirling kaleidoscope of yellows and greens. The only drawback to “Across the Spider-Verse”? It’s the first part of a two-part story, and at times, it feels like it.

2. Spider-Man 2 (2004)

In Spider-Man 2, director Sam Raimi managed to craft a deeply layered tale rather than squeezing both the origin story and an independent adventure into one movie. The focus was on Peter Parker’s complex relationship with the ambitious scientist, Dr. Otto Octavius, portrayed exceptionally well by Alfred Molina, who delivered one of the best performances in the Spider-Man series. Fifteen years on, the film continues to impress, particularly the train sequence that stands out among Marvel productions. The movie’s relentless pile-up of challenges for Peter Parker adds depth to its ultimately joyous (though also bittersweet) conclusion.

I have attempted to maintain the original’s tone and style while making it more accessible to a broader audience.

1. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)

In a world where quantity often doesn’t match quality, “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” stands out as an exceptional Marvel film and arguably the finest Spider-Man movie ever made. This film boasts a large ensemble of web-slinging characters, such as Miles Morales, Gwen Stacy, and Peter B. Parker. It also showcases perhaps the most powerful and overt embodiment of Stan Lee and Steve Ditko’s ethical standpoint, transforming their belief that anyone can be a hero into a stunningly animated tribute to their noble ideals. In essence, it tells the definitive Spider-man tale.

2025-03-27 17:27