- Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Patrick Stewart return as Magneto and Professor X in Avengers: Doomsday.
- Robert Downey Jr. will portray the villain Doctor Doom in the 2026 release.
- The cast includes MCU veterans like Chris Hemsworth and newcomers from the Fantastic Four reboot.
- The film is directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, marking their return to Marvel since Avengers: Endgame.
Marvel Studios Confirms Star-Studded Cast for Avengers: Doomsday
Marvel Studios has officially announced the cast for its highly anticipated 2026 film, Avengers: Doomsday, and it includes the return of two legendary actors. Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Patrick Stewart will reprise their iconic roles as Magneto and Professor Charles Xavier, respectively, marking their first appearances in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) since Disney acquired Fox’s X-Men franchise.
Return of the X-Men Legends
Sir Ian McKellen, who last portrayed Magneto in 2014’s X-Men: Days of Future Past, and Sir Patrick Stewart, who appeared as Professor X in 2022’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, are set to join the Avengers ensemble. Their inclusion signals Marvel’s intent to merge the X-Men with its broader cinematic universe.
Other X-Men alumni joining the cast include Kelsey Grammer as Beast, Rebecca Romijn as Mystique, James Marsden as Cyclops, and Alan Cumming as Nightcrawler. Channing Tatum, who recently portrayed Gambit in Deadpool & Wolverine, is also confirmed.
MCU Veterans and Newcomers
In addition to the X-Men stars, the cast features MCU veterans such as Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Anthony Mackie (Captain America), Sebastian Stan (Bucky Barnes), Paul Rudd (Ant-Man), Tom Hiddleston (Loki), and Simu Liu (Shang-Chi). Florence Pugh (Yelena Belova), Letitia Wright (Shuri), and Tenoch Huerta Mejía (Namor) will also return.
New faces include the cast of this summer’s Fantastic Four: First Steps. Pedro Pascal (Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic), Vanessa Kirby (Sue Storm/Invisible Woman), Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Ben Grimm/The Thing), and Joseph Quinn (Johnny Storm/Human Torch) are set to make their Avengers debut.
Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom
Robert Downey Jr., who played Iron Man in the MCU’s first phase, will return to the franchise as the villainous Doctor Doom. At last year’s San Diego Comic-Con, Downey Jr. surprised fans by appearing in Doctor Doom’s iconic mask and cloak, declaring, “New mask. Same task.” His portrayal of Doom is expected to bring a layered complexity to the character, according to co-director Joe Russo.
Directed by the Russo Brothers
Anthony and Joe Russo, the directors behind Avengers: Endgame, will helm Avengers: Doomsday. In a recent interview, Joe Russo stated, “We love villains who think they are the heroes of their own stories. When you have an actor like Robert Downey Jr., you have to create a well-shaped, three-dimensional character for the audience.”
Production and Release
Production for Avengers: Doomsday has begun in London, with the film slated for a May 2026 release. This marks the first Avengers film in six years, following the record-breaking success of Avengers: Endgame, which grossed over $2.79 billion worldwide.
With a blend of veteran actors, fan-favorite characters, and fresh faces, Avengers: Doomsday promises to be a monumental chapter in the MCU’s evolving narrative.
Sources: Marvel Studios, San Diego Comic-Con, Reuters