The Marvel Cinematic Universe is entering one of its boldest phases yet as familiar faces begin to fade from the spotlight. With Avengers: Doomsday (2026) on the horizon, several long-serving stars are addressing their absence—and a new image suggests that Captain Marvel and Thor may already have fallen victim to Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom.
Set for release in 2026, Avengers: Doomsday is being directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, the filmmakers behind 2018 and 2019’s Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. The project has shifted from its original Kang-centered arc to focus on a new adversary: Doctor Doom, played by Downey Jr. in a surprising return to the MCU.
Marvel kicked off the film’s massive marketing push in early 2025 with a “chair reveal” livestream, confirming the return of stars like Sebastian Stan (Bucky Barnes), Paul Rudd (Ant-Man), Simu Liu (Shang-Chi), Florence Pugh (Yelena Belova), Tom Hiddleston (Loki), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Kelsey Grammer (Beast), and James Marsden (Cyclops).
The reveal also cemented the comeback of Fox-era X-Men favorites, including Ian McKellen (Magneto), Rebecca Romijn (Mystique), Patrick Stewart (Professor X), and Alan Cumming (Nightcrawler). Rumors have since swirled about appearances by Brie Larson (Captain Marvel), Karen Gillan (Nebula), Tessa Thompson (Valkyrie), Dominique Thorne (Ironheart), and Xochitl Gomez (America Chavez), though none have been officially confirmed.
By late 2025, Pedro Pascal had reportedly wrapped filming as Reed Richards following his debut in The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025). Alan Cumming also revealed that his Nightcrawler scenes were complete, underscoring how far production has progressed.
But one major Avenger remains absent. Mark Ruffalo recently addressed his exclusion during The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, joking, “They decided that it was better to get rid of me than for me to tell the end of the next movie.” Despite not being confirmed to appear in Doomsday, Ruffalo will star in Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026). That said, leaked concept art, seemingly from Doomsday, shows Hulk and She-Hulk (Tatiana Maslany) side by side.
Meanwhile, both Benedict Cumberbatch and Brie Larson have weighed in on the mystery surrounding Doomsday. When The View asked Larson directly if Captain Marvel would return, she replied, “Thank you for asking, and you know I can’t answer.” Fans immediately connected the statement to her past cryptic remarks and a 2025 social media post showing her gazing at the words “AVENGE” and “DANVERS.”
Now, new promotional art has reignited theories that Captain Marvel and Thor may already have fallen. Shared by ComicBookMovie after its debut at the Walt Disney Studios Marketing Expo in Shanghai, the high-definition image reveals two distinct emblems on Doctor Doom’s armor—one resembling Captain Marvel’s starburst, the other echoing Thor’s hammer.
These details have led fans to believe Doom has encountered and possibly defeated Multiversal versions of both heroes, collecting relics of their power. Whether the markings are narrative clues or simply design flourishes, they reinforce Doom’s ominous presence as the MCU’s next major threat.
Larson last appeared in The Marvels (2023), which ended with Carol Danvers vowing to rescue Monica Rambeau after her disappearance into another dimension. Monica is expected to appear in Doomsday, making Carol’s omission even more intriguing.
Marvel is tightening its storytelling focus for Phase Six after The Fantastic Four: First Steps opened strong but stumbled in its second weekend. Kevin Feige and the Russo brothers have positioned Avengers: Doomsday and its sequel, Avengers: Secret Wars (2027), as a creative reset designed to unite the MCU and X-Men universes.
With Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom stepping into the spotlight and key stars like Ruffalo and Larson on uncertain ground, Avengers: Doomsday could redefine Marvel’s cinematic future when it opens December 18, 2026.
