The Biggest MCU Characters Who Were Not Included in the Casting Announcement

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The world eagerly anticipates the arrival of the champions who will band together to confront Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom in “Avengers: Doomsday.” Directed by the Russo Brothers, we can expect a new production as significant as “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Endgame.” Just this week, Marvel Studios not only lived up to expectations but also set a new standard for cinematic events. They held the longest cast reveal ever – an event that lasted over five hours, with a fresh name announced every quarter of an hour and a new seat added to the studio. The live broadcast on social media captivated more than 10 million viewers within minutes.

As a diehard fan, I’ve been on cloud nine ever since the initial names were revealed! The original Avengers heroes are making their comeback, and the Fantastic Four are officially part of the MCU before their standalone film. It’s exciting to see the Thunderbolts being woven into the mix as well. The cast boasts a delightful blend of familiar faces and fresh talent, with Simu Liu long-awaited for a crossover appearance, and Channing Tatum adding fuel to the hype fire. Veterans like Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen are also joining us, bringing the legacy of the X-Men to the big screen at last. The announcement of this star-studded lineup has created quite a stir, but there are still some notable absences that fans can’t help but notice.

Characters Missing From the Avengers: Doomsday Casting Announcement

Despite high anticipation, many viewers assumed they’d witness all potential heroes in “Avengers: Doomsday“, yet the initial cast list did not include some familiar faces that one might have thought would be included. Notably absent from the main characters who were expected to return were:

  • Steve Rogers – Chris Evans
  • Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow – Scarlett Johansson
  • Bruce Banner/Hulk – Mark Ruffalo
  • Doctor Strange – Benedict Cumberbatch
  • Spider-Man/Peter Parker – Tom Holland
  • Wanda/Scarlet Witch – Elizabeth Olsen
  • Vision – Paul Bettany
  • Clint Barton/Hawkeye – Jeremy Renner
  • Captain Marvel – Brie Larson
  • James Rhodes/War Machine – Don Cheadle
  • Star-Lord/Peter Quill – Chris Pratt
  • Deadpool – Ryan Reynolds
  • Wolverine – Hugh Jackman
  • Storm – Halle Berry
  • Nick Fury – Samuel L. Jackson

It’s clear that several notable figures like Gwyneth Paltrow, Tatiana Maslany, Harrison Ford, Evangeline Lilly, Hayley Atwell (who appears twice), Teyonah Parris, Charlie Cox, Wesley Snipes, Jennifer Garner, Dafne Keen, Tessa Thompson, Oscar Isaac, Hailee Steinfeld, Kathryn Newton, Iman Vellani, and others sparked a lot of conversation on social media. The stars of the Guardians of the Galaxy and particularly the X-Men were highly anticipated. It’s important to note that Spider-Man, portrayed by Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, and more recently, played by multiple actors in Spider-Man: No Way Home, has been a hot topic for discussion over time. Lastly, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, and the plot of the MCU multiverse have been intriguing discussions due to their roles.

In essence, numerous enthusiasts were eagerly anticipating the unveiling of what had been widely guessed about among fans, all coming together in a single film. With these recent confirmations (albeit not too many), the lingering question is why only this specific group was chosen for Avengers: Doomsday.

Why Some Characters Weren’t Officially Announced for Avengers: Doomsday

When the preliminary artwork for “Avengers: Doomsday” became public knowledge, enthusiasts found themselves in a frenzy trying to decipher what scenes might unfold on-screen. While it’s always wise to approach such leaks with skepticism, given the unveiling of the main cast, it appears that certain characters depicted in these images have indeed been omitted from the final production. Now, it’s our job as dedicated Marvel Cinematic Universe fans to engage in some intriguing speculation!

As a cinephile, I can’t help but ponder over the intriguing decision to keep certain characters under wraps in the latest Marvel movies. It seems like a clever move to preserve suspense and venture into uncharted territories, free from the shackles of cinematic history. With the multiverse now center stage, there’s an opportunity for unexpected turns and encounters between characters from various timelines or alternate realities.

Rumors swirl around Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson possibly reprising their roles as Steve Rogers and Black Widow, respectively, despite Evans’ retirement from the character and Johansson confirming Natasha Romanoff’s demise. Yet, if they indeed hold secrets we don’t know yet, keeping them hidden might just be the smartest choice.

Ultimately, isn’t the thrill of surprise more enticing than knowing a character will appear in the film? After all, who wouldn’t want another exhilarating journey like Spider-Man: No Way Home?

There could be both contractual and logistical factors at play, which might have led to some prominent figures being excluded from the project. Coordinating a cinematic universe of such scale involves intricate negotiations, strict deadlines, and agreements that don’t always accommodate all actors in every significant event. Given the magnitude of the project, planning has likely been underway for quite some time, similar to Avengers: Endgame, which took a decade to materialize. However, this explanation doesn’t fully explain the situation as it might seem. It’s possible that actors were scheduled well in advance, but unforeseen events can occur; take Elizabeth Olsen for example, who flat-out denied her participation in Doomsday, without providing specific reasons other than her obligations to other films.

The movie, whose plot remains a mystery, appears to be setting up events that will drastically alter the franchise. This production seems to follow a pattern similar to _Infinity War_ and _Endgame_, where the new movie serves as a prelude to a more significant storyline, much like how _Secret Wars_ followed _Endgame_. Although Doctor Doom’s debut hasn’t been officially confirmed yet, it is predicted that he will make his entrance in the post-credits scenes of _The Fantastic Four: First Steps_, gradually taking center stage and shaping the Marvel Cinematic Universe in _Doomsday_, similar to how Thanos evolved. By keeping some characters for later appearances and saving the large-scale character crossover for a future release, it seems like an effective strategy.

As a die-hard movie enthusiast, I can’t help but reflect on the intriguing developments concerning Benedict Cumberbatch’s character, Doctor Strange. Initially, he expressed some reservations about his role fitting with the film’s original concept, but later retracted those remarks. However, it’s clear that Doctor Strange will be instrumental in the upcoming Secret Wars. This could very well extend to other key characters from the X-Men universe, such as Wolverine, Storm, and perhaps even more. It seems strategically sound to incorporate these iconic figures into the 2027 movie, especially given their rich comic book histories. At this point, introducing a select few, like Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Kelsey Grammer, Alan Cumming, Rebecca Romijn, and James Marsden, could be seen as a prelude to something grander. Deadpool also seems to fit right into this picture.

In addition, we have Tom Holland’s interpretation of Spider-Man. Given that his true identity has been erased, there are numerous intriguing speculations about his potential part in “Doomsday“. Could he be instrumental in Doctor Doom’s defeat? It’s conceivable. Keep in mind that he is one of the crucial Avengers, making it puzzling as to why he wasn’t among the chosen few. However, considering his circumstances (which also encompass the Maguire and Garfield versions) might require some patience from fans. His next solo film is slated for release between “Doomsday” and “Secret Wars“, suggesting that he may be being kept in reserve for a specific purpose – not yet integral to the current narrative.

It’s evident that numerous theories circulate, considering the MCU’s rich tapestry of secrets. However, when examining the broader scope, it appears Marvel Studios is opting for a cautious approach with future Avengers movies. Overcrowding the storyline with multiple characters could potentially lead to complications. The superhero genre has faced its fair share of difficulties in recent times, and adding excessive elements might risk further challenges. For now, we must have faith in the creative process and exercise patience for a film that is anticipated to break new records.

Avengers: Doomsday hits the big screen on May 1, 2026.

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2025-03-29 16:10