Everything We Know About Avengers: Doomsday
The biggest crossover in MCU is finally here
Well, That Just Happened.
Marvel Studios just pulled off the cinematic equivalent of a mic drop.
In a nearly six-hour livestream event, Marvel unveiled Avengers: Doomsday in the most dramatic way possible—one cast member at a time, each announcement accompanied by orchestral swells and standing ovations. But this wasn’t just another roll call of MCU regulars.
The Russo Brothers are back in the director’s chairs. Robert Downey Jr. is returning to the MCU—but not as Iron Man. And, for the first time, the X-Men and Fantastic Four are officially in an Avengers movie. Marvel has said that Doomsday will be its most ambitious project yet, and judging by the sheer size of this cast, they’re clearly setting themselves up for something big.
With a May 1, 2026 release date set in stone, let’s take a look at everything we know.
The Biggest Crossover in MCU History
If you thought Infinity War and Endgame had packed ensembles, think again.
Doomsday is set to unite the Avengers, the X-Men, the Fantastic Four, and even characters from Thunderbolts. Marvel unveiled 26 actors as part of the main cast, making this one of the most expansive superhero lineups ever assembled.
Among the returning faces are Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Anthony Mackie as Captain America, and Tom Hiddleston as Loki. Letitia Wright’s Shuri will carry the Black Panther mantle, while Simu Liu’s Shang-Chi, Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova, and David Harbour’s Red Guardian are stepping up to the big leagues. Paul Rudd’s Ant-Man, Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes, and Danny Ramirez’s new Falcon round out the returning Avengers.
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Then, there’s Marvel’s newest first family. The Fantastic Four—played by Pedro Pascal (Reed Richards), Vanessa Kirby (Sue Storm), Joseph Quinn (Johnny Storm), and Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Ben Grimm)—will be making their Avengers debut before headlining their own film. It’s a strong signal that the MCU isn’t wasting any time in integrating them into the larger universe.
But the real headline-grabber is that the X-Men are here.
Marvel has officially welcomed the Fox-era mutants into the mix, with Patrick Stewart reprising his role as Professor X and Ian McKellen returning as Magneto. James Marsden, Rebecca Romijn, Alan Cumming, Kelsey Grammer, and even Channing Tatum are all joining the battle. It’s a move that not only acknowledges the legacy of X-Men films but also paves the way for Marvel to introduce their own rebooted versions in the future.
Adding to the mix are Tenoch Huerta’s Namor and Lewis Pullman as the Sentry, a character whose god-like power and fractured psyche could play a key role in the film’s storyline.
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The Robert Downey Jr. Bombshell
Just when it seemed like Marvel had revealed all its cards, the final seat on the Doomsday stage was filled by none other than Robert Downey Jr.
But this wasn’t the triumphant return of Tony Stark. Instead, Downey Jr. will be stepping into the role of Doctor Victor Von Doom.
How and why Doom fits into Doomsday remains a mystery, but one thing is certain: Marvel wasn’t going to let Downey Jr. slip away, and this twist ensures that his return is nothing short of monumental.
Notable Absences
With a cast this stacked, it’s surprising that some major names are missing. Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk, Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange, and Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel are nowhere to be seen—for now. The biggest shock, however, is the absence of Tom Holland’s Spider-Man and Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool. Also, are we going to see Chris Evans anywhere? We don’t know.
Of course, this doesn’t mean they won’t appear. Marvel has a history of keeping its biggest surprises under wraps until the last possible moment, so don’t be shocked if some of these missing heroes make an entrance when the film hits theatres.
The Return of the Russo Brothers
After delivering Infinity War and Endgame, the Russo Brothers stepped away from Marvel. Now, they’re back, taking the reins of Doomsday, with a script written by Stephen McFeely (Endgame, Civil War) and Michael Waldron (Loki, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness).
This combination suggests a film that balances high-stakes emotional storytelling with the chaotic, multiversal madness that Waldron has become known for. If Doomsday is setting the stage for Secret Wars, then the Russo Brothers were the obvious choice to steer the MCU’s next epic finale.
What’s Next?
With Doomsday now officially in production, we can expect more casting announcements, deeper plot teases, and fan theories to flood the internet in the coming months.
But here’s what we know for sure:
It’s releasing May 1, 2026.
It’s the first of two Avengers films, leading into Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027.
Marvel is about to enter its most unpredictable phase yet. And we can’t wait for it!