Credit: Marvel StudiosMarvel Studios is bringing together some of its biggest characters and storylines for Avengers: Doomsday (2026), with Robert Downey Jr. (Victor von Doom/Doctor Doom) leading the film as its central antagonist.
Between Doom’s newly revealed interest in Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen), Kevin Feige’s comments on the long-awaited Avengers and X-Men crossover, and the promise of further casting announcements, the December release is shaping up to be a major turning point for the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Doctor Doom Revives the Scarlet Witch in the VisionQuest Finale
Marvel delivered a significant surprise in the finale of Disney+’s VisionQuest, confirming that the Scarlet Witch will return, even after her apparent sacrifice beneath the collapsing Mount Wundagore in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022). The series’ second post-credits scene revisits that moment before revealing Doom arriving at the ruins and lifting the debris from her body. Approaching her, he declares, “Scarlet Witch, awaken. Your power will be mine.” Wanda then opens her eyes, confirming her survival and setting up a potentially significant role in Avengers: Doomsday.
The reveal establishes a direct connection between Doom and one of the MCU’s most powerful characters, raising questions about whether he intends to control Wanda, exploit her abilities, or turn her against the Avengers. Marvel may also be drawing inspiration from the comic storyline “The Children’s Crusade,” in which Doom plays a part in Wanda’s story, while her return opens the door to further exploration of the Maximoff family.
Why Robert Downey Jr.’s Casting Matters
Downey Jr.’s involvement is what gives this development its weight. The actor helped establish the MCU through his portrayal of Tony Stark, beginning with Iron Man (2008), and his return appeared unlikely following the character’s death in Avengers: Endgame (2019). Now playing one of Marvel Comics’ most recognizable villains and the Fantastic Four’s greatest adversary, he faces the challenge of distinguishing Doom from Stark. However, the role gives Marvel an overarching threat capable of uniting multiple franchises, particularly with the Scarlet Witch’s power potentially at his disposal.
Kevin Feige Celebrates the Avengers and X-Men Crossover
That ambition extends to the film’s long-awaited crossover. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige, who began his Hollywood career working on X-Men (2000), described bringing the Avengers and X-Men together as the culmination of approximately 25 years of Marvel storytelling.
Recalling comments made by Hugh Jackman (Logan/Wolverine) long before such a meeting was possible, Feige told Empire: “You see interviews of Hugh Jackman 15, 20 years ago saying, ‘People say it’s impossible, but maybe someday the X-Men and the Avengers can all get together.’ It just felt right. It just felt like the fun way to culminate a quarter-century of storytelling.”
A newly released still features Cyclops (James Marsden) and Gambit (Channing Tatum) standing in front of the X-Mansion, and Feige has suggested that Gambit’s transition from Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) into the wider MCU will reveal a more developed side of the character: “He’s a standout. It’s fun to see Gambit be as charismatic as he was in Deadpool & Wolverine, and yet in Doomsday it’s not all for laughs. He’s a fully-rounded character.”
The comments indicate that Marvel intends to give its returning X-Men meaningful contributions to the larger Avengers storyline rather than relying solely on nostalgia.
More Avengers: Doomsday Casting Is Still to Come
The confirmed ensemble already spans several generations of Marvel’s cinematic history. Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Anthony Mackie (Sam Wilson/Captain America), Sebastian Stan (Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier), Paul Rudd (Scott Lang/Ant-Man), Florence Pugh (Yelena Belova), Simu Liu (Shang-Chi) and Letitia Wright (Shuri/Black Panther) are involved, while Pedro Pascal (Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic), Vanessa Kirby (Sue Storm/Invisible Woman), Joseph Quinn (Johnny Storm/Human Torch) and Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Ben Grimm/Thing) lead the Fantastic Four.
Patrick Stewart (Charles Xavier/Professor X), Ian McKellen (Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto), Rebecca Romijn (Mystique), Alan Cumming (Nightcrawler) and Kelsey Grammer (Beast) join Marsden and Tatum among the X-Men, with Tom Hiddleston (Loki), Chris Evans (Steve Rogers) and Hayley Atwell (Peggy Carter) also returning.
Despite that extensive lineup, the Russo brothers have confirmed that Marvel has not revealed everyone appearing in the film. Addressing the speculation in a The Walt Disney Company press release, Anthony Russo stated, “The pattern that you’re sensing is real. We have absolutely not announced the entire cast. There is more to come.”
The absence of Mark Ruffalo (Bruce Banner) from the original announcement has been particularly noticeable, with footage associated with Avengers: Endgame: Encore (2026) showing Banner encountering Doctor Doom further encouraging speculation about his involvement. Fans are also hoping to see Benedict Cumberbatch (Doctor Strange) and Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye), while the precise circumstances of Wanda’s role following VisionQuest remain to be explored.
Could Avengers: Secret Wars Be Delayed?
Avengers: Secret Wars (2027) is scheduled to follow Doomsday on December 17, 2027, as the second installment in the Multiverse Saga’s concluding storyline. However, reports that filming could move into early 2027 have raised questions about whether Marvel can meet that date, given the film’s extensive ensemble and considerable visual effects requirements. A move to 2028 would allow additional time for filming, editing and visual effects, although it could also affect the studio’s wider release schedule and its transition out of the Multiverse Saga. No official postponement has been announced, and the December 2027 date remains in place.
With Doom’s plans for the Scarlet Witch establishing the stakes and the X-Men arriving alongside the Avengers and Fantastic Four, Avengers: Doomsday is positioned as a defining, culminating chapter for Marvel Studios. The full scale of the crossover remains unclear, and while further casting announcements are expected, the film could lay the foundations for a dramatically different MCU ahead of Secret Wars.
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