MCU Crisis: Disney Axes Fan-Favorite Heroes Just Before ‘Avengers: Doomsday’
Marvel thought they were delivering a jaw-dropping moment with their latest Avengers: Doomsday promotion, but fans walked away scratching their heads instead. A new promotion in Shanghai, China, was meant to set the stage for the MCU’s next significant chapter, yet the most talked-about detail wasn’t the scale of the spectacle — it was who wasn’t there.
Rather than reassuring audiences, the event opened the door to fresh debates. Were these missing characters quietly shelved, or is Marvel playing the long game with misdirection? Whatever the reason, it’s clear that the path to Doomsday is far less straightforward than anyone thought.
Setting the Stage for Doomsday
Marvel has positioned Avengers: Doomsday as the crown jewel of Phase 6. The stakes? Higher than ever. The storyline is rumored to stretch the limits of the Multiverse, pulling together storylines from across time, space, and alternate realities. If Avengers: Endgame (2019) felt massive, Doomsday is expected to raise the bar.
Perhaps the boldest reveal so far is the return of Robert Downey Jr. — not as Iron Man but as Doctor Doom. Bringing him back in a villainous role not only flips audience expectations but also adds layers of intrigue to the film’s conflict.
Promo Sparks More Questions
The Shanghai promo was visually stunning, with projections and effects to hype up the MCU faithful. But the crowd’s excitement quickly turned to confusion. Several major hero groups were absent from the display, an odd move for a film expected to unite more characters than any other Marvel project.
This leaves fans speculating: were these omissions a marketing strategy, or do they signal a more profound shift in Marvel’s priorities? Nothing is set in stone with production still underway, but uncertainty has taken center stage.
Guardians of the Galaxy Missing in Action
The Guardians closed their trilogy in 2023, and most of the cast and director James Gunn have signaled they’re finished. Rocket (Bradley Cooper) and Groot (Vin Diesel) could resurface, but their absence here suggests Marvel might be wrapping up the Guardians’ chapter.
The Marvels Fade From View
After their team-up movie underwhelmed at the box office, it’s unsurprising to see these heroes missing from the roster. Captain Marvel (Brie Larson), Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris), and Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani) have been excluded from the Doomsday hype. It’s unclear if this is temporary or a permanent pivot away from them in the Multiverse saga.
Young Avengers on Hold?
Marvel’s younger recruits — America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez), Cassie Lang (Kathryn Newton), Ironheart (Dominique Thorne), and Kate Bishop (Hailee Steinfeld) — were widely expected to play a major role. Their omission may mean Marvel is holding them for a future payoff rather than placing them in the thick of Doomsday.
Strange, Shang-Chi, and Wanda’s Uncertain Futures
Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) and Shang-Chi (Simu Liu) seemed essential, yet neither appeared. Strange has been central to the Multiverse storyline, and Shang-Chi’s Ten Rings teased cosmic importance. Wanda’s (Elizabeth Olsen) absence may be the most surprising, considering how unresolved her arc is after Multiverse of Madness (2022).
Eternals, Spider-Man, and Thunderbolts
The Eternals’ divisive reception may have sealed their fate, at least for now. Spider-Man’s (Tom Holland) absence could be tied more to Sony’s complicated rights than Marvel’s narrative. As for the Thunderbolts, they weren’t shown either — but at least they’re already confirmed for the film.
The Big Picture
The Shanghai event was a technical marvel but left fans buzzing with uncertainty. Are these missing heroes casualties of Marvel’s new direction, or will they reappear when we least expect them?
One thing’s clear: Avengers: Doomsday isn’t just another crossover. It’s a high-stakes gamble that could redefine the MCU for years to come.
