The Multiverse's Missing Links: Unconfirmed Marvel Legends Who Could Emerge in Avengers: Doomsday
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The Russo Brothers' return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Avengers: Doomsday has already promised a truly seismic event, confirmed by a massive, multi-franchise cast list that includes established MCU heroes, the Fantastic Four, and legacy X-Men characters.
However, the initial announcement left out several pivotal actors and characters from previous Marvel films, sparking intense speculation. The very nature of this multiversal epic, which leads directly into Avengers: Secret Wars, all but guarantees surprise appearances.
This comprehensive analysis dives into the most-rumored veterans who have not been officially confirmed for Avengers: Doomsday, exploring the narrative function their potential inclusion could serve in the grand Multiverse Saga finale.
❓ Why Is Doctor Strange Still a Mystery for Avengers: Doomsday?
Benedict Cumberbatch's Doctor Strange is arguably the most glaring omission from the confirmed cast.3 As the Sorcerer Supreme, Strange is the MCU's foremost expert on the Multiverse, the personification of the incursion threat, and his absence in a film called Avengers: Doomsday seems illogical on the surface.
Verifiable Reports: Cumberbatch has given conflicting reports, initially confirming his involvement, then suggesting his role was shifted to Secret Wars, only to later state, "I am in that one."4 When his name was absent from the official reveal, he humorously suggested, "Maybe they just didn't have enough chairs."5 This back-and-forth strongly suggests his role is being deliberately guarded as a major secret or surprise cameo.
Possible Function: Given his expertise, Strange could appear in a pivotal scene, perhaps not as a main fighter, but as a dire warning or a crucial guide. His role may be confined to explaining the devastating scope of the titular "Doomsday" event, helping the new team locate or utilize a necessary multiversal tool, or even sacrificing himself to set up the reality-altering events of Secret Wars.
🕷️ Will Tom Holland's Spider-Man Swing into Avengers: Doomsday?
Despite being a central figure in the last two Avengers films, Tom Holland's Spider-Man was not on the initial cast list.6 This absence is significant, though less surprising given the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, which reset his place in the world.
Verifiable Reports: While unconfirmed, the character's popularity and central role in the MCU make his exclusion unlikely for a massive crossover. His next solo film, Spider-Man 4, is scheduled between Doomsday and Secret Wars, which could be the reason for his reserved presence here.7
Possible Function: He is highly likely to feature as a cameo or a mid-level player. His character is currently isolated, making him a perfect choice for a spontaneous, impactful intervention, potentially showing up late in the conflict as a 'surprise hero' moment once the main team is overwhelmed by Doctor Doom’s forces.
🇺🇸 Could Steve Rogers' Captain America Return for Avengers: Doomsday?
The return of Chris Evans as Steve Rogers/Captain America has been a persistent rumor.8 While the character's story reached a definitive conclusion in Endgame, the Multiverse makes his return in an alternate form, or even his Prime MCU self, a strong possibility.
Verifiable Reports: Multiple rumors and a recent insider claim suggest that Evans has been seen in set photos, though the context of his appearance remains unverified.9 The same insider notes that his exclusion from the official list was "on purpose," indicating a major, well-guarded surprise.
Possible Function: If he returns as the elderly Steve Rogers, his function could be purely motivational or advisory, passing the torch one last time to Anthony Mackie's new Captain America. If he appears as a variant, he could be an alternate universe's Captain America, or even, as some have rumored, an anti-hero or a version of an established Marvel villain, which would deliver a tremendous emotional punch given his character's history with the Russo Brothers.
🟢 Are the Original Avengers Truly Retired for Avengers: Doomsday?
Several key original Avengers members, outside of Chris Hemsworth (Thor) and Anthony Mackie (Captain America), were conspicuously absent.10 These omissions point to a strategic decision to save some big guns for the absolute climax in Secret Wars, or to feature them in deeply personal, impactful cameos.
Mark Ruffalo (Hulk/Bruce Banner): Last seen with his son Skaar, his role could be limited to a brief cameo showing the effects of the Multiverse crisis on his family life, setting up a larger return in Secret Wars.
Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye/Clint Barton): Having retired to be a family man, his appearance would likely be a brief but high-stakes moment where he defends his family or a small group of civilians from an incursion event, showcasing a retired hero's grit.
Elizabeth Olsen (Scarlet Witch/Wanda Maximoff):11 Her fate after Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is ambiguous. She is a powerhouse who could be held back for a monumental, universe-altering role in Secret Wars. However, a brief, haunting appearance as a lingering energy signature or a multiversal threat would tie her story directly into the "Doomsday" scenario.
Unconfirmed Marvel Veterans Likely to be Surprises in Avengers: Doomsday
This table compiles the most-discussed unconfirmed actors from previous Marvel films, their rumored roles, and the narrative utility their presence would provide.
Actor | Marvel Role (Unconfirmed) | Potential Function in Avengers: Doomsday | Verifiable Report Context |
Benedict Cumberbatch | Doctor Strange | Crucial guide/magical counter-force to Doctor Doom; explaining the Multiversal "Doomsday" threat. | Conflicting statements from the actor suggest a deliberately hidden, pivotal role. |
Tom Holland | Spider-Man | High-impact surprise intervention; ground-level perspective on the chaos; setting up Spider-Man 4. | Absent from initial list but key to the MCU's next generation of heroes. |
Chris Evans | Steve Rogers/Captain America (Variant or Prime) | Emotional core of the film; a shocking variant reveal (e.g., Hydra Supreme) or an elderly mentor role. | Insider reports claim he was seen on set and his exclusion was intentional. |
Brie Larson | Captain Marvel | Major power player in the final battle; her photon abilities are critical against cosmic threats. | Named in recent unverified cast 'leaks' alongside other unconfirmed veterans. |
Samuel L. Jackson | Nick Fury | Strategic cameo; facilitating communication between teams or setting up the Secret Invasion fallout. | Named in recent unverified cast 'leaks' but likely a limited, strategic role. |
Tatiana Maslany | She-Hulk/Jennifer Walters | Comic relief and legal tie-in; defense against Doctor Doom's political/legal maneuverings. | Named in recent unverified cast 'leaks'; likely a brief, fun cameo role. |
Some Closing Thoughts
The Russo Brothers' track record with Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame proves their skill in utilizing a massive ensemble cast while maintaining a coherent, character-focused narrative.
The absence of certain heavy-hitters from the Avengers: Doomsday announcement is not a sign of their exclusion, but a hallmark of the filmmakers' strategy: preserve the largest, most impactful surprises.
As the Multiverse Saga reaches its climax, the re-emergence of fan favorites like Doctor Strange, Spider-Man, and even a new version of Captain America, will serve less as simple fan service and more as crucial narrative pivots.
Their roles, likely kept as cameos or smaller, highly-focused appearances in Avengers: Doomsday, will all contribute to teeing up the ultimate reality-shattering stakes of Secret Wars. The biggest announcements, it seems, are still yet to come.
So, who do you think will join the Avengers is what could possibly be a warn spanning many universes? Let us know in the comments section down below!
