The Marvel star has weighed in on his omission.
Marvel Studios has faced a turbulent stretch recently. While Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023) reinforced the franchise’s draw, other films failed to hit the same heights. Captain America: Brave New World (2025) was expected to redirect the MCU, but it did not spark the revival Marvel needed.
The conversation shifted with Jake Schreier’s Thunderbolts* (2025). The film received strong critical and fan acclaim, had a standout opening weekend, and renewed some optimism for Marvel’s future, though it did not drastically reshape the franchise’s trajectory.
Phase Six began with The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025), which opened strongly but saw a steep decline in week two. Despite that, Disney CEO Bob Iger stressed that the First Family will remain central to Marvel’s storytelling moving forward.
A major hurdle for the studio arose following Jonathan Majors’ departure. Majors had been set to lead the Multiverse Saga as Kang the Conqueror, appearing across multiple films and series and culminating in Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. Allegations of battery, assault, and defamation from ex-partner Grace Jabbari led to Marvel severing ties, forcing the narrative to pivot.
The result is Doctor Doom taking a primary role. At last year’s San Diego Comic-Con, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige revealed that Anthony and Joe Russo would return to direct Avengers: Doomsday (formerly The Kang Dynasty) and Avengers: Secret Wars, scheduled for 2026 and 2027.
One of the most surprising developments is Robert Downey Jr.’s MCU return—not as Iron Man, but as Victor Von Doom. Downey Jr. made his Doom debut in a post-credits scene for The Fantastic Four: First Steps, hinting at his larger role in the forthcoming Avengers films.
While Kang remains in the universe, his central storyline has shifted. Recent appearances—Victor Timely in Loki season 2 and Kang’s clash with Ant-Man in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023)—now serve as a prelude to Doom assuming the top villain role.
Questions about Kang’s future linger, particularly after Oscar nominee Colman Domingo (Rustin, Sing Sing) confirmed conversations with Marvel Studios, though he clarified that no specific role was discussed. The Council of Kangs leaves options open, but the focus has clearly shifted to Doom.
The cast includes Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom, Sebastian Stan as Winter Soldier, Paul Rudd as Ant-Man, Simu Liu as Shang-Chi, Kelsey Grammer as Beast, Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, Tom Hiddleston as Loki, James Marsden as Cyclops, and Chris Hemsworth as Thor. Other additions are Channing Tatum as Gambit, Hannah John-Kamen as Ghost, Danny Ramirez as Falcon, Ian McKellen as Magneto, Vanessa Kirby as Invisible Woman, Lewis Pullman as Sentry, Rebecca Romijn as Mystique, Patrick Stewart as Professor X, and Alan Cumming as Nightcrawler.
The ensemble also features David Harbour as Red Guardian, Letitia Wright as Shuri/Black Panther, Anthony Mackie as Captain America, Wyatt Russell as U.S. Agent, Joseph Quinn as Human Torch, Tenoch Huerta Mejia as Namor, Pedro Pascal as Mister Fantastic, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as The Thing.
One notable omission from the announced cast is Benedict Cumberbatch.
Doctor Strange entered the MCU in Doctor Strange (2016), defeating Dormammu after training under the Ancient One (Tilda Swinton). He appeared in Thor: Ragnarok (2017), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), and Avengers: Endgame (2019), where he played a crucial role in the final battle.
In Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), Strange’s spell fractured the Multiverse and released classic villains. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022) further explored his role, introducing alternate versions of himself, teaming with America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez), and confronting Wanda Maximoff’s turn as Scarlet Witch. The film concluded with Strange’s ominous third-eye transformation.
Despite his importance, Cumberbatch was absent from the March 2025 cast announcement. Speaking to Omelete while promoting his new film, The Roses (2025), he commented on the omission: “Who knows? Maybe they just didn’t have enough chairs.”
Reported additions in talks for Doomsday, though not confirmed, include Mark Ruffalo (Hulk), Benedict Wong (Wong), Don Cheadle (War Machine), Brie Larson (Captain Marvel), Karen Gillan (Nebula), Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye), Danai Gurira (Okoye), Iman Vellani (Ms. Marvel), Ke Huy Quan (Ouroboros/”O.B.”), Tessa Thompson (Valkyrie), Teyonah Parris (Monica Rambeau), Will Poulter (Adam Warlock), Dominique Thorne (Ironheart), Xochitl Gomez (America Chavez), Sophia Di Martino (Sylvie), and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (Wonder Man).
Other rumored names include Tatiana Maslany (She-Hulk), Kathryn Newton (Cassie Lang), Wunmi Mosaku (Hunter B-15), Lashana Lynch (Maria Rambeau/Binary), Famke Janssen (Jean Grey), Halle Berry (Storm), Kai Zen (Phyla), Owen Wilson (Mobius), Chris Pratt (Star-Lord), Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury), Charlize Theron (Clea), Hayley Atwell (Captain Carter), Chris Evans (Captain America), Bradley Cooper (Rocket Raccoon), Vin Diesel (Groot), and Maria Bakalova (Cosmo).
The evolving roster reflects Marvel’s move away from a Kang-focused story. Jonathan Majors has shown interest in returning, but current plans suggest otherwise. Another key absence is Tom Holland’s Spider-Man, reportedly not appearing as Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026) runs simultaneously.
How do you feel about Doctor Strange being absent from Avengers: Doomsday? Let us know in the comments below!
