In Los Angeles, fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe can rejoice as an announcement was made revealing the return of some beloved characters. Chris Hemsworth’s Thor, Anthony Mackie’s Captain America, Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes, Paul Rudd’s Ant-Man, and Tom Hiddleston’s Loki will all reprise their roles in the upcoming action-packed film “Avengers: Doomsday,” set to be released in 2026. The news was unveiled through an exciting series of videos shared across Marvel’s social media platforms on Wednesday. Moreover, this new Avengers installment will feature the return of several actors from the original X-Men films.
Patrick Stewart, aged 84, known for his iconic portrayal of Professor X in the early 2000s X-Men films, will join the cast alongside his on-screen rival Magneto, played by the 85-year-old Ian McKellen. This marks a significant move by Disney and Marvel as they aim to capitalize on their acquisition of Fox’s movie collection. Also returning are Kelsey Grammer as Beast, Rebecca Romijn as Mystique, James Marsden as Cyclops, and Alan Cumming as Nightcrawler. The inclusion of these original X-Men actors from the early series injects curiosity among fans regarding the plot and timelines of “Avengers: Doomsday.”
While fans can look forward to these familiar faces, the movie will also feature several relatively newer heroes, including some making their first appearances in the MCU. Vanessa Kirby is set to portray the Invisible Woman, Sue Storm, in “Fantastic Four: First Steps,” and will later join the Avengers universe in “Doomsday.” Pedro Pascal is lined up to play Reed Richards, joining his Marvel peers in both films. Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Joseph Quinn will portray Ben Grimm and Johnny Storm, respectively, completing the Fantastic Four team in the expanding MCU narrative.
Simu Liu, initially introduced as Shang-Chi in his 2021 debut, will also appear in the Avengers film. Adding to the diversity, Tenoch Huerta Mejía, who stole the show as Namor in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” will reprise his role, alongside Letitia Wright and Winston Duke, both returning from their previous appearances in the “Black Panther” series.
Expect further intrigue with Florence Pugh reprising her role as Yelena Belova from the upcoming “Thunderbolts,” and again in “Doomsday.” Alongside her, appearing in both films, are David Harbour, Wyatt Russell, Hannah John-Kamen, and Lewis Pullman. Danny Ramirez continues his journey as Falcon in the new Avengers assembling.
However, fans might notice some significant omissions in the lineup of 27 announced names, indicating Marvel and Disney might be reserving further surprises. Notably absent are Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine and Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool, although Channing Tatum, who portrayed Gambit in “Deadpool & Wolverine,” is part of the anticipated adventure. Missing too is Tom Holland, whose Spider-Man character has faced complications due to Marvel’s intricate dealings with Sony Pictures.
Amidst the fresh faces and returning favorites, Robert Downey Jr. confirmed last summer his return to the MCU, but with a twist. He will portray Doctor Doom, setting an intriguing stage for “Avengers: Doomsday.”
Scheduled for a May 2026 release, “Avengers: Doomsday” will be the fifth installment in the blockbuster series. The film comes as Marvel attempts to recapture the global cultural significance and box office success that peaked with “Avengers: Endgame” released in 2019. Armed with a dynamic cast and a storyline that bridges generations of heroes, Marvel aims to reignite the excitement that dominated pop culture and film for over ten years.