Following the excitement around the announcement of 26 new cast members for the highly anticipated film Avengers: Doomsday, Marvel Studios and Robert Downey Jr. have hinted that more surprises are on the way. During a recent livestream, Marvel unveiled the extensive cast list set to join Robert Downey Jr., who will portray Doctor Doom, signaling the start of production on this superhero epic.

One of the notable reveals was Channing Tatum reprising his role as the beloved X-Men character Gambit. Fans can explore the full cast list here.

However, the absence of several key Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) figures from the announced lineup has sparked discussions among fans. Notable absentees include Tom Holland's Spider-Man, Chris Evans' Captain America, as well as characters like Hulk, Hawkeye, Nick Fury, and Rhodey. On the X-Men front, there's no mention of Deadpool, Wolverine, Storm, or Jean Grey.

The fanbase expressed their disappointment over the missing characters, yet hope persists. In a subsequent Instagram post, Robert Downey Jr. teased further announcements, stating, “That’s what u call a deep bench of talent. Actually it’s more like a row, but an extra long one… That must be it.. right?” Marvel responded in the comments, suggesting, "there's always room for more." The Russo Brothers, directors of the film, also chimed in with, "It’s time…"

The Most Surprising Avengers and Marvel Characters Not Announced for Doomsday

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It's clear that Marvel has more up its sleeve for Avengers: Doomsday. The speculation about who else might join the cast is rife, and fans are encouraged to share their thoughts in the comments section.

Earlier this month, the Russo brothers described Avengers 5 and 6 as a "new beginning," setting the stage for the upcoming Phase 7 of the MCU. Joe Russo emphasized their focus on creating complex villains, stating, "The only thing I’ll say about the movie is this: we love villains who think they’re the heroes of their own stories. That’s when they become three-dimensional and they become more interesting. When you have an actor like Robert Downey, you have to create a three-dimensional, well shaped character for the audience. That’s where a lot of our focus is going."

Avengers: Doomsday is slated to hit theaters on May 1, 2026, followed by Secret Wars in May 2027. Leading up to these releases, fans can look forward to Thunderbolts* in May 2025, the TV show Ironheart in June, and the kickoff of Phase 6 with The Fantastic Four: First Steps in July.

Additionally, Marvel Studios has added three untitled movie projects to its 2028 schedule: February 18, 2028; May 5, 2028; and November 10, 2028. Speculation is rife that one of these could be the long-awaited X-Men film.