Credit: Marvel StudiosThe long-running Marvel Cinematic Universe veteran has finally spoken up about not being part of the next Avengers event film.
Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Doomsday (2026) is shaping up to be a monumental chapter for the franchise–and one already defined by creative pivots and headline-making developments. Helmed by Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and Avengers: Endgame (2019) directors Anthony and Joe Russo, the project has shifted from its original Kang-centric concept to a story led by the arrival of Doctor Doom, portrayed by Robert Downey Jr. in his highly anticipated return to the MCU.
In May 2025, fans were treated to one of Marvel’s most ambitious cast announcements yet. A “chair reveal” livestream unveiled an expansive lineup that included Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes, Paul Rudd as Ant-Man, Simu Liu as Shang-Chi, Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, Tom Hiddleston as Loki, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Kelsey Grammer as Beast, and James Marsden reprising Cyclops. The event also confirmed the comeback of several Fox-era X-Men icons, with Ian McKellen as Magneto, Rebecca Romijn as Mystique, Patrick Stewart as Professor X, and Alan Cumming returning as Nightcrawler.
Following that reveal, rumors intensified around additional appearances by Brie Larson (Captain Marvel), Karen Gillan (Nebula), Will Poulter (Adam Warlock), Tessa Thompson (Valkyrie), Dominique Thorne (Ironheart), and Xochitl Gomez (America Chavez). While Marvel has yet to confirm those names, the scale of Avengers: Doomsday already ranks it among the most expansive crossover events in MCU history.
By September 2025, word broke that Pedro Pascal—introduced earlier that year as Reed Richards in The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025)—had already completed his filming for Avengers: Doomsday. Although an early wrap doesn’t necessarily mean his role is limited, it does hint that his screen presence may differ from other returning heroes. Shortly after, Alan Cumming revealed he too had finished work as Nightcrawler, confirming his stunts and training sequences were wrapped. Together, those updates underscore how fluid the movie’s production remains as it heads toward release.
One of the biggest surprises from the film’s cast rollout was the absence of Mark Ruffalo, whose Hulk has been a fixture of the MCU since The Avengers (2012). When asked about it during The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Ruffalo playfully replied, “They decided that it was better to get rid of me than for me to tell the end of the next movie.”
As noted by Comic Book Movie, the joke fits Ruffalo’s well-known track record as Marvel’s most prolific spoiler risk. The actor has famously revealed a few secrets before–from dropping hints about Infinity War’s finale to accidentally livestreaming part of Thor: Ragnarok back in 2017.
Even without his confirmed inclusion in Doomsday, Ruffalo’s Hulk isn’t disappearing from the MCU anytime soon. The actor is already attached to Destin Daniel Cretton’s Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026), and leaked concept art for Avengers: Doomsday has depicted both Hulk and She-Hulk (Tatiana Maslany). Whether those designs are from Doomsday or its follow-up, Avengers: Secret Wars (2027), remains unclear.
Now, following Mark Ruffalo–and Doctor Strange actor Benedict Cumberbatch–Brie Larson has weighed in on the Doomsday casting confusion.
During a recent appearance on The View, the Captain Marvel star was asked the question on every fan’s mind. After being asked, “Is there any chance that we will see Captain Marvel in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday?” Larson replied, “Thank you for asking, and you know I can’t answer.”
Her response, while lighthearted, left viewers with more questions than answers. As Marvel fans know, silence like that often means there’s something worth hiding.
This isn’t the first time Larson has avoided the subject. Back in February 2024, she gave a similarly short reply when asked about her MCU future, saying, “I don’t have anything to say about that.” It’s a familiar move for Marvel actors who are sworn to secrecy, and Larson’s careful wording has only fueled theories that Captain Marvel will return sooner rather than later.
Adding to the intrigue, Larson posted a cryptic image on social media in June 2025 showing herself looking at the words “AVENGE” and “DANVERS.” The photo sparked renewed excitement among fans, many of whom believe the post was a subtle hint at her eventual comeback.
Larson’s last on-screen appearance as Carol Danvers came in The Marvels (2023), where she joined Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani) and Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris) to face Dar-Benn (Zawe Ashton) in a cosmic showdown. Although the heroes triumphed, the movie ended on a major cliffhanger—Monica was left trapped in another dimension while Carol vowed to find a way to bring her back.
Now, with Avengers: Doomsday approaching, many fans are puzzled by Larson’s absence from the official cast announcement. Monica Rambeau is reportedly set to play a significant role in the crossover, making Carol’s omission even more surprising. Given their emotional connection and Carol’s guilt over Monica’s fate, it would make sense for Captain Marvel to join Earth’s Mightiest Heroes once again.
While Larson remains quiet, her choice of words—and her social media hints—suggest that she knows more than she’s letting on. Whether she’ll reappear in Avengers: Doomsday or another Phase Six film, it seems Marvel is keeping Carol Danvers’ next move tightly under wraps.
All these shifting pieces come as Marvel Studios retools its strategy in Phase Six. The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025) opened to strong numbers but experienced a sharp second-weekend decline, reflecting the studio’s ongoing challenge of keeping audiences invested.
Still, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige and the Russo brothers have both teased that Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars will serve as a major creative reset–a turning point designed to usher in the next era of the MCU, with the X-Men expected to become central players.
With Doctor Doom poised to take center stage as the franchise’s new primary villain and an ensemble uniting Marvel’s biggest heroes from both the mainline and Fox timelines, Avengers: Doomsday could mark a defining moment for the franchise. As stars like Pedro Pascal and Alan Cumming wrap their contributions–and with key players like Ruffalo’s Hulk, Larson’s Captain Marvel, and Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange still missing from the lineup–anticipation continues to grow over how the MCU’s evolving narrative will unfold.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is once again at a crossroads. With ambitious storylines, shifting talent, and a decade of reinvention ahead, fans are left to wonder: what does the next era of this blockbuster saga hold?
Do you think Captain Marvel will make her return in Avengers: Doomsday? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments below!