Marvel Studios revealed the cast of Avengers: Doomsday on March 26, 2025. This fifth installment of the saga is already sparking public curiosity. A spectacular setup marked the announcement. For over five hours, each name was revealed live. Indeed, an actor or actress was announced every ten minutes. A simple yet effective scenography: director’s chairs arranged in an empty hangar.
This film, scheduled for April 29, 2026, marks the return of the Russo brothers to directing. Most notably, it features Robert Downey Jr. in a new role. Indeed, the former Iron Man becomes Victor Von Doom, better known as Dr. Doom. This choice, which reverses his status as an icon of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, intrigues fans and redefines the balance of superheroes on screen.
A dazzling cast for the MCU
The new cast list brings together nearly 30 performers. The pillars of the MCU are present: Chris Hemsworth (Thor) Tom Hiddleston (Loki) and Paul Rudd (Ant-Man). The next generation is also assured. Thus, Anthony Mackie (Captain America Letitia Wright (Black Panther) and Simu Liu (Shang-Chi) confirm their presence.
However, some are missing. There is no mention of Spider-Man, Doctor Strange, or Captain Marvel. Marvel Studios may be preparing their returns in Avengers: Secret Wars, scheduled for 2027. Or perhaps these superheroes will appear as unexpected cameos.
Another surprise: a massive arrival of X-Men from the Fox universe. Patrick Stewart (Professor X) Ian McKellen (Magneto) and James Marsden (Cyclops) reprise their roles. Channing Tatum, long rumored to play Gambit, completes the picture. He joins the adventure after a notable appearance in Deadpool & Wolverine.
Vanessa Kirby: the major asset of Phase 6
Among the announced names, one draws particular attention. It is Vanessa Kirby, who will portray Susan Storm, the Invisible Woman of the Fantastic Four. This central figure of Phase 6 of the MCU underscores Marvel’s ambition: to gather new talents and strengthen the legacy of historical superheroes.
Born in London, Vanessa Kirby first made her mark in theater. Her beginnings, in All My Sons or A Streetcar Named Desire, received praise. Then, she won over the general public as Princess Margaret in The Crown. This role earned her a BAFTA Award and international fame.
She then navigated between blockbusters and independent cinema. We remember her participation in Mission: Impossible – Fallout, Hobbs & Shaw, and Pieces of a Woman. This performance, where she plays a grieving mother, earned her the Volpi Cup in Venice, followed by an Oscar nomination for Best Actress.
More recently, she portrayed Empress Joséphine in Ridley Scott‘s Napoleon, opposite Joaquin Phoenix. This performance, both intense and reserved, was praised by critics. In parallel, she founded Aluna Entertainment, a production company. She also stood out in various projects, including The Night Always Comes for Netflix.
The Fantastic Four ready for battle
Alongside Kirby, the Fantastic Four are reforming. Pedro Pascal (Mister Fantastic) Joseph Quinn (the Human Torch) and Ebon Moss-Bachrach (the Thing) complete the team. To prepare for this alliance, Marvel will release Fantastic Four: First Steps in July 2025. This feature film will initiate the story of these adventurers before their appearance in Avengers: Doomsday.
The Invisible Woman, portrayed by Vanessa Kirby, promises to be determined and complex. She could well gain a new aura. In the Marvel universe, Susan Storm possesses a discreet but crucial leadership. This characteristic will resonate with the precise and nuanced acting style of the English actress.
A promise of multiverse and cosmic challenges
By integrating the iconic heroes of the MCU and the X-Men from Fox, Avengers: Doomsday orchestrates an unprecedented convergence of worlds. The Russo brothers, already acclaimed for Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, seem ready to surpass the usual limits of Marvel blockbusters. The absence of some key heroes, like Spider-Man, sparks intense speculation about possible secret appearances.
This narrative web, based on the idea of a multiverse, promises improbable alliances and extraordinary battles. Comic book fans know that Victor Von Doom can cause cataclysmic upheavals. Against him, the new wave of superheroes will need to show courage and innovation. The audience, meanwhile, is eager to discover the multiple ramifications of the plot.
See you in April 2026 for the grand finale
The release of Avengers: Doomsday will take place in April 2026. Marvel universe enthusiasts are already scrutinizing every rumor and tidbit of information. Marvel Studios cultivates this taste for mystery to maintain the frenzy around its flagship franchise. Several questions remain unanswered. The potential cameos of Doctor Strange, Captain Marvel, or Spider-Man fuel speculation. Theories on social media are multiplying.
Vanessa Kirby, with her Invisible Woman, embodies a new impetus for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. She joins an exceptional cast and is preparing to take on a role that could leave a lasting mark on the saga’s continuation. As for the audience, they eagerly await a confrontation between heroes, anti-heroes, and supervillains. The date is set for a spectacle of cosmic proportions and a decisive chapter of Phase 6.
