"Doomsday's Lack of Avengers Hints at Secret Wars, X-Men Involvement"

It's happening, Marvel fans: Avengers: Doomsday is officially in production. Marvel Studios recently hosted a live stream cast announcement for the new film, which left fans buzzing with excitement and a few questions. The announcement, which lasted a surprising five and a half hours, introduced a roster filled with actors from the Fox X-Men franchise, along with characters from the Thunderbolts and the Fantastic Four. However, many noticed a significant absence: the traditional Avengers. This has led to widespread speculation about the plot of Avengers: Doomsday and its connection to the upcoming Secret Wars.

The Most Surprising Avengers and Marvel Characters Not Announced for Doomsday

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Why the Thunderbolts Are More Important to Doomsday Than We Thought

The cast announcement confirmed only a few characters traditionally associated with the Avengers: Anthony Mackie’s Captain America, Chris Hemsworth’s Thor, and Paul Rudd’s Ant-Man. Additionally, Danny Ramirez’s Falcon and Letitia Wright’s Black Panther are expected to join the ranks, despite their characters not typically being part of the team. Some other characters like Namor and members of the Fantastic Four have had brief stints with the Avengers in the comics but aren't central figures.

The absence of key Avengers such as Tom Holland’s Spider-Man, Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk, Elizabeth Olsen’s Scarlet Witch, Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel, Don Cheadle’s War Machine, and Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange raises eyebrows. This gap may be filled by the Thunderbolts, a team whose significance in Doomsday could be tied to the mysterious asterisk in their title. Speculation suggests that this asterisk hints at their eventual rebranding as the New Avengers by the end of the film. The presence of Bucky Barnes, Yelena Belova, Red Guardian, Ghost, U.S. Agent, and the Sentry underscores this shift. The trailers suggest that Red Guardian is the only one keen on the "Thunderbolts" moniker, with Bucky pushing back against it. Valentina Allegra de la Fontaine's acquisition of Avengers Tower and her comments about the lack of Avengers further suggest that the Thunderbolts are poised to take on the mantle of the MCU's premier superhero team.

The Sentry, a key figure in the Thunderbolts, could also be pivotal in the plot, especially with his evil counterpart, the Void, potentially serving as the film's main antagonist. The Sentry's integration into the MCU echoes his introduction in the comics, notably in Brian Michael Bendis’ New Avengers series.

The Thunderbolts: The Tumultuous History of Marvel's Twisted Super-Team

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Once established in the MCU, the Thunderbolts could be the core of a new Avengers lineup, led by Sam Wilson’s Captain America. In Captain America: Brave New World, President Ross enlists Sam to rebuild the team. Given the limited availability of traditional Avengers, Sam might have to rely on the less powerful Thunderbolts, setting the stage for an intense confrontation with Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom.

Are the X-Men Doomed in Avengers: Doomsday?

With Doctor Doom, portrayed by Robert Downey Jr., set to be the ultimate antagonist of the Multiverse Saga, Doomsday is crucial for establishing his credibility as a threat. Since Doom is absent from the upcoming Fantastic Four reboot, where Galactus takes center stage, Doomsday must lay the groundwork for Doom's menacing presence. One way to achieve this is by having Doom eliminate several major characters, much like Thanos did in Infinity War. The Fox X-Men, prominently featured in the cast announcement, seem to be the most likely targets.

Doom wiping out the Fox X-Men would not only serve as a shocking plot twist but also clear the way for the return of more traditional MCU heroes in Secret Wars. Incursions, a key element from the 2015 Secret Wars comic, have already been mentioned in Multiverse of Madness, hinting at their importance in the upcoming saga. An Incursion event could see an entire universe destroyed by Doom, with the Fox X-Men universe being the likely candidate. This move would allow for a dramatic setup, freeing up resources and screen time for characters like Spider-Man, Hulk, Scarlet Witch, Captain Marvel, and others to return and confront Doom in Secret Wars.

This strategic narrative choice could provide the epic conclusion Marvel Studios has been aiming for since Endgame, potentially matching the excitement of that film's climax. While we won't know the full story until Avengers: Doomsday releases on May 1, 2026, the current cast announcement and plot hints suggest a thrilling and game-changing saga ahead.

Do you think the X-Men are goners in Avengers: Doomsday? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!