“Avengers: Doomsday”–a new era of heroes and surprises!

“Avengers: Doomsday” is shaping up to be one of the more exciting chapters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), with a major twist. While the film teases the return of some fan favorites, it also raises questions with the absence of characters like Spider-Man, Doctor Strange, and Star-Lord, among others. As the Avengers face a new, cosmic threat, the missing heroes leave a big hole in the team, setting the stage for new faces to step up in their place.

Let’s get the biggest burning question out of the way. Will Robert Downey Jr. somehow reprise his Tony Stark/Iron Man role in “Doomsday?” Despite his widespread involvement in the release announcement on Wednesday, March 26, and his mysterious Instagram conversation that followed, he is said to make a surprise cameo. It is unknown whether it will be in a holographic form, but Tony Stark’s legacy will live on despite his death in “Avengers: Endgame.”

Also, the absence of Captain America’s leadership and Loki’s trickery raise essential questions about who will step up. “Doomsday” is poised to shake things up by introducing new faces while honoring those who came before. This film will dive into the aftermath of the multiverse’s chaos and the shifting dynamics of the team.

The looming threat will be unlike anything the Avengers have faced before.  Although there is limited information regarding the intricate details, what is known is that an enigmatic cosmic force is drawing power from the fractures of the multiverse. This new enemy’s reach extends beyond time and space, posing a danger that could unravel reality itself.

As the Avengers struggle to unite against this unknown force, they must confront external threats and the growing instability within their own ranks. Unsure of their place in a world that has been irrevocably changed, each hero must decide what they’re willing to sacrifice for the greater good. While some question whether they can truly trust each other in the face of such overwhelming odds, old alliances will be tested. The universe's fate may hinge on whether they can overcome their differences and become a team once more.

The stage has been set for an exciting sequel to the “Endgame” saga. “Doomsday” brings together a familiar lineup of heroes and some new faces. The cast has been released with a YouTube video starring none other than Downey himself. According to Marvel Cinematic Universe Wiki, here is the cast and the characters they will play:

Robert Downey Jr. as Victor von Doom/Doctor Doom

Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson/Captain America

Benedict Cumberbatch as Stephen Strange/Doctor Strange

Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic

Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman

Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/Thing

Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch

Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier

Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova (Black Widow’s Sister)

Wyatt Russell as John Walker/U.S. Agent

David Harbour as Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian

Hannah John-Kamen as Ava Starr/Ghost

Hayley Atwell as Peggy Carter

Chris Hemsworth as Thor

Letitia Wright as Shuri/Black Panther

Paul Rudd as Scott Lang/Ant-Man

Tenoch Huerta as Namor

Simu Liu as Shang-Chi

Kelsey Grammer as Hank McCoy/Beast

Lewis Pullman as Bob Reynolds/Sentry

Danny Ramirez as Joaquín Torres/Falcon

Winston Duke as M'Baku

Tom Hiddleston as Loki

Patrick Stewart as Charles Xavier/Professor X

Ian McKellen as Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto

Alan Cumming as Kurt Wagner/Nightcrawler

Rebecca Romijn as Raven Darkhölme/Mystique

James Marsden as Scott Summers/Cyclops

Channing Tatum as Remy LeBeau/Gambit

Fans eagerly wait to see how the film will incorporate new characters and other potential surprises as the multiverse continues to evolve. It has not gone unnoticed that several fan favorites, such as Tom Holland as Peter Parker/Spider-Man, Chris Pratt as Peter Jason Quill/Star-Lord, and Brie Larson as Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel have not been announced to return or reprise their roles. Robert Downey Jr. may have the answer in his latest Instagram post thread. Following the announcement of the cast, his post read, “That’s what you call a deep bench of talent … actually, it's more like a row, but an extra-long one …” “That must be it … right?” The response from marvel studios was, ‘@rdj there’s always room for more … .”

The door remains open for past heroes to make their mark, reminding us that in the MCU, anything is possible. Marvel Universe fans must wait and see. The release date is set for May 1, 2026.