(Image: Marvel Studios, 20th Century Studios)
In a surprise move last night, Marvel Studios hosted a five-and-a-half-hour livestream that culminated in a massive cast reveal for the next Avengers film. The stream featured almost no on-screen talent; instead, crew members periodically appeared to place chairs on a stage, each emblazoned with the name of a Marvel actor. The event concluded when Robert Downey Jr.—previously announced to be returning to the Marvel universe as the villain Doctor Doom—made a silent appearance. As a new score for the fifth Avengers installment, titled "Avengers: Doomsday," began to play and the official logo emerged, it became clear: the names on the chairs represented the film's official cast.
※ Check out the full livestream and a 1:47 highlight clip below ▼
The confirmed roster is largely divided into two camps: returning MCU veterans and stars from the 20th Century Fox-era "X-Men" franchise.
The MCU contingent includes Simu Liu as Shang-Chi, Paul Rudd as Ant-Man, Wyatt Russell as U.S. Agent, Pedro Pascal as Mister Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Invisible Woman, Anthony Mackie as the current Captain America, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Sebastian Stan as the Winter Soldier, Letitia Wright as the current Black Panther, Tenoch Huerta Mejía as Namor, Ebon Moss-Bachrach as The Thing, Florence Pugh as the new Black Widow, Lewis Pullman as Sentry, Danny Ramirez as the new Falcon, Joseph Quinn as the Human Torch, David Harbour as Red Guardian, Winston Duke as M'Baku, Hannah John-Kamen as Ghost, Tom Hiddleston as Loki, and Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange, who had previously confirmed his involvement.
(Image: Marvel Studios)
Joining from the "X-Men" universe are Kelsey Grammer as Beast, who previously cameoed in "The Marvels"; Patrick Stewart as Professor X, last seen in "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness"; and Channing Tatum as Gambit, who recently appeared in "Deadpool & Wolverine." They are joined by Alan Cumming as Nightcrawler, Ian McKellen as Magneto, Rebecca Romijn as Mystique, and James Marsden as Cyclops.
(Image: Robert Downey Jr. Instagram)
After reposting the livestream on his Instagram, Downey Jr. engaged in a playful back-and-forth with Marvel Studios' official account in the comments, hinting that this is just the first wave of cast announcements and that more names will be revealed later. "Avengers: Doomsday" is slated for a May 1, 2026 release. The follow-up, "Avengers: Secret Wars," also helmed by the Russo Brothers, is scheduled to hit theaters on May 7, 2027.