The moment Marvel fans have been waiting for has arrived: Avengers: Doomsday has officially entered production. Marvel Studios surprised audiences with a live cast reveal for the highly anticipated film, featuring unexpected appearances from multiple X-Men actors, notable absences of fan-favorite characters, and a marathon announcement that stretched over five and a half hours. Amidst all the revelations, one burning question stands out: Where are Earth's Mightiest Heroes in this new "Avengers" installment?
The announcement confirmed 27 characters, yet shockingly few are core Avengers members. Instead, the roster spotlights actors from Fox's X-Men franchise, members of the Thunderbolts, and the Fantastic Four. This unexpected lineup hints at significant narrative implications for both Avengers: Doomsday and the impending Secret Wars storyline.
Most Unexpected Avengers and Marvel Characters Missing From Doomsday
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Thunderbolts' Crucial Role in Doomsday Revealed
The confirmed Avengers lineup includes Anthony Mackie's Captain America, Chris Hemsworth's Thor, and Paul Rudd's Ant-Man. Supporting characters like Danny Ramirez's Falcon and Letitia Wright's Black Panther may join the ranks, though they aren't traditional Avengers members. Notably absent are Tom Holland's Spider-Man, Mark Ruffalo's Hulk, Elizabeth Olsen's Scarlet Witch, and other seminal Avengers.
The Thunderbolts' unexpected prominence sheds light on these absences. With Bucky Barnes, Yelena Belova, and other Thunderbolts members confirmed, speculation mounts that Marvel may be positioning them as successors to the Avengers. Could Valentina Allegra de la Fontaine's purchase of Avengers Tower signal a changing of the guard?
The Thunderbolts' potential transformation mirrors Marvel Comics history, where The Sentry - another confirmed Doomsday character - debuted within Brian Michael Bendis' New Avengers series. Their eventual recognition as Earth's new protectors would create fascinating leads into Secret Wars.
Thunderbolts: Marvel's Most Controversial Superhero Team
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Sam Wilson's Captain America may find himself leading this makeshift team against Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom. Following plot threads from Captain America: Brave New World, President Ross' request to rebuild the Avengers could result in this reformed Thunderbolts facing overwhelming odds.
Will the X-Men Survive Avengers: Doomsday?
Doom's apparent absence from the Fantastic Four reboot positions him as Doomsday's primary threat. Eliminating major characters - particularly the Fox X-Men lineup - would establish Doom as a villain comparable to Thanos while streamlining the cast for Secret Wars.
The concept of Incursions, introduced in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, could manifest through the destruction of entire realities. If Doom destroys the Fox X-Men universe, it would create emotional stakes while freeing resources for classic MCU heroes' return.
What are your predictions for Avengers: Doomsday? Share your theories below!
