Film opinion: Marvel heavy-hitters excluded from Avengers: Doomsday cast

Many heavy-hitters from previous MCU phases were left off the casting list released in a live stream announcement video across all Marvel Studios’ social media on March 26.

This may be as a result of adding more intrigue to cast revelations at a later stage or possibly a huge chunk of Marvel’s household names may genuinely be absent from Avengers: Doomsday.

Film News Blitz’s Aidan Leo is here to bring forth some of the most notable cast omissions and discuss the reasons as to why they may or may not be featuring in the MCU’s monumental feature.

Who are some of the more notable MCU names and characters omitted from the feature?

Notable superhero groups in the form of The Fantastic Four and the Thunderbolts are set to play significant roles in Avengers: Doomsday.

Along with some of the iconic Fox X-Men crew of yester-year, all three teams are set to appear in the dynamic feature, from what we understand.

However, let's look at some esteemed Marvel individuals whose names did not appear on director’s chairs in yesterday’s announcement video and the possible reasons as to why.

Chris Evans (Steve Rogers/Captain America)

Many media outlets and MCU fans suggested the prospect of Chris Evans reprising his role as the no-nonsense, inspirational Avengers team leader.

With the conclusion of Cap’s ending in Avengers: Endgame feeling rather unfinished and unsatisfying to some.

After passing his shield to Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson, some fans have proposed a villainous and multiversal Captain America for Evans to portray, challenging Wilson and the new-look Avengers team.

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From what we are aware, Steve has not been confirmed by MCU captains, the Russo brothers or Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige to have passed away but rather is enjoying his time away from avenging in his current older state so to speak.

Evans has considered himself ‘happily retired’ from the MCU and in his case, I am happy with his contributions to the momentous franchise.

Whether he plans on returning at a later stage for whatever reason, the consideration and appreciation from fans may arise again.

For the moment though, it is a much more intriguing prospect to witness Mackie carry the mantle further, rather than be overshadowed by the cloud of Evans’ Cap that has been hovering above him ever since Evans’ Marvel exodus. 

Elizabeth Olsen (Wanda Maximoff/The Scarlet Witch)

Arguably, the current most important figure in the entire MCU multiverse, Olsen’s Wanda is presumed dead by many after the events of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

You cannot kill The Scarlet Witch. 

A nexus being (those with outrageous power to affect and alter multiple universes and timelines) is the level of otherworldly threat The Scarlet Witch exists as at her strongest, in fact, it is a lot worse.

Her omission actually makes sense considering the mind-altering abilities and chaos magic she possessed in her previous MCU outing. 

Currently the only nexus being that exists in the MCU (Bar Kang the Conqueror) sees Olsen’s role in the upcoming narrative rather subdued, as the Russo brothers will not be able to explain her possible defeat if she was to make an appearance.

Although, something to look forward to in Avengers: Secret Wars is the role of Tom Hiddleston’s God of Stories Loki in the fight against Robert Downey Jr. 's Doctor Doom.

Considering his current circumstance after the events of the Loki series, puts him in a position as the only being that can rival The Scarlet Witch.

With many Marvel comics stalwarts deeming an alliance between Doom and The Scarlet Witch likely, considering the occurrence of that in the comics.

We may be subjected to an all-out decimation worse than Josh Brolin’s mad titan Thanos ever achieved.

Benedict Cumberbatch (Stephen Strange/Doctor Strange)

These days when it comes to the Avengers and the rest of Earth’s mightiest heroes, how they win against multiversal threats without Strange is beyond me.

Honestly, he is the first character that comes to mind to have any realistic chance against Doom and The Scarlet Witch, who I believe will indeed continue in her antagonist role when she eventually makes her return.

Cumberbatch played critical roles in Spider-Man: No Way Home and his Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness film.

Considering those are two of the more successful Marvel outings post Avengers: Endgame regarding the overall plot going into Avengers: Doomsday, Strange will need to be there or thereabouts for the newer generation of Avengers to have a chance whatsoever.

Unless of course that plot armour tax is inherently high, which looks more likely the more I reflect on the confirmed cast thus far.

Scarlett Johansson (Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow)

The most unlikely case for a return of one of the old-guard was Johansson’s Black Widow.

Out of the original Avengers, her death seemed much more conclusive and without wiggle room in comparison to the other characters. 

Again, a possible multiversal variant incident is on the cards, but Marvel should not overplay their hand too much when it comes to that.

Jeremy Renner (Clint Barton/Hawkeye)

After passing the MCU’s bow and arrow mantle to Hailee Steinfeld’s Kate Bishop in Hawkeye as well as losing his closest friend after she outwitted him to sacrifice herself in the events of Avengers: Endgame, fighting diabolical and maniacal bad guys are evidently behind him.

Mark Ruffalo (Bruce Banner/Hulk) and Brie Larson (Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel)

Both Ruffalo and Larson appeared alongside Benedict Wong (Wong) in the Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings mid-credit scene, setting up later appearances for them both in phase six.

Ruffalo then appeared in She-Hulk: Attorney At Law, with Larson featuring in The Marvels and Ms. Marvel respectively.

Yet, they were not mentioned as cast members for Avengers: Doomsday.

The absence of Larson has credence though, considering the narrative surrounding Captain Marvel is that she assists in eliminating multiversal threats across planets in the galaxy.

The MCU will likely milk that narrative a bit further and have her return in Avengers: Secret Wars as she did in Avengers: Endgame but was absent in the fight against Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War.

Tom Holland (Peter Parker/Spider-Man)

Currently fending off Greek mythological creatures while filming Christopher Nolans’ The Odyssey, Holland’s status in the MCU, aside from being confirmed for Spider-Man 4, is unknown.

Nevertheless, Holland’s Spidey is arguably the biggest snub of all the excluded actors, considering the pivotal role he has at the top of the MCU’s protagonist mountain as things stand.

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However, many expect the Friendly Neighbourhood’s importance to dramatically increase leading into Avengers: Doomsday, and I expect him to feature in later cast announcements. 

How can you have the iconic RDJ - Doom revelation and not have a Tony and Peter confrontation.

As soon as we heard the Doctor Doom announcement, we immediately thought, “What will Spidey do?”. 

The aftermath of the MCU’s casting announcement

Furthermore, these are my overall thoughts on the notable omissions only one day in the aftermath of yesterday’s announcement.

I am fully aware that this may only be the first half, or even the initial third of who will be returning or arriving in Avengers Doomsday.

I am hopeful for a little bit more spice until then, even if we are subjected to surprise appearances rather than being notified beforehand.

I can live with that.

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