Summary:
- Doctor Doom’s rise will force the Avengers, Fantastic Four, and X-Men into a multiversal war for survival.
- Franklin Richards’ fate could decide whether Doom remakes the multiverse or heroes save it from collapse.
- Here is a list of all characters, superheroes, that will play a major role in Avengers: Doomsday.
Now that Fantastic Four: The First Steps is out of the picture, the focus is on Avengers: Doomsday. Marvel has been laying the groundwork for this for years, and with Doctor Doom as the new primary villain, the stakes have never been higher.
You’ve already caught a glimpse of the post-credits scene that lays the groundwork for Franklin Richards’ encounter with Doom. This is where the MCU’s biggest heroes, and some surprise wild cards, will rise to meet the challenge.
From returning legends to unexpected allies, these are the 10 characters or superheroes that will play a major role in Avengers: Doomsday that hits theaters on December 18, 2026.
Table of Contents
10. Thor
We’ve watched Thor’s journey since the day he first showed up in the MCU back in 2011, and now he’s one of the last remaining original Avengers. Chris Hemsworth has built himself up over the years from a stoic god to a powerhouse with an unexpected sense of humor, at least since Thor: Ragnarok and Avengers: Infinity War.
When Doomsday arrives, Thor’s role as one of the most powerful defenders of Earth will be needed more than ever. And seriously, can you even imagine an Avengers film without him?
Defending against a villain like Doctor Doom takes god-like power, and Thor’s the sort of hero who can tip the scales in combat. With the multiverse at stake, Thor’s raw power and veteran status make him a key player you can count on. Rumors are that he will reunite with Loki in this film.
9. Spider-Man
You last saw Tom Holland’s Peter Parker give up his personal life so the world could be at peace in No Way Home. He’s beginning a new trilogy starting with Spider-Man 4 in 2026, but it’s almost unthinkable that he’d skip Doomsday. The web-slinger who idolized Iron Man might just be stepping into a true leadership role.
We’ve seen him grow from a rookie Avenger to a decision-maker who determines the fate of the universe. With the Avengers shattered, Spider-Man could be the emotional core that holds them together, especially with Doctor Doom threatening reality itself.
If his comic book buddy relationship with Johnny Storm carries over to the MCU, you could even get to enjoy some great on-screen dialogue amidst the chaos. Rumors suggests that Spider-Man is going to lead a team consisting of Daredevil, Punisher, etc.
8. The X-Men
After Doomsday, you’ll never be able to look at the MCU’s X-Men as a cameo team anymore. With Patrick Stewart’s Charles Xavier leading the way and Ian McKellen’s Magneto added to the mix, these aren’t background extras; they’re in the midst of the coming conflict.
Cyclops, Beast, Mystique, Nightcrawler, and Gambit, they’re all there, and each one of them brings a very different tone to the table.
We’ve been waiting years to see the X-Men stand alongside the Avengers, and this movie will finally pay off with that moment. Cyclops, in particular, might not have an easy time with the Avengers’ style of leadership.
But when the multiverse is at stake, both Avengers and mutants will be forced to work together side by side. Expect power clashes, tense alliances, and moments that feel like pure comic book magic.
7. Thunderbolts* (The New Avengers)
If you’ve watched Thunderbolts, you’ll realize that this is not your typical superhero team. Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, US Agent, Red Guardian, Ghost, all of them carry baggage, and that makes them unpredictable and sometimes volatile. They’re now entering Doomsday as the Avengers’ unlikely allies.
You’ll be seeing them stretched to their limits like never before. Fighting Doom means setting egos and questionable pasts aside, and whether they can do so or not will be one of the movie’s big questions. But their set of skills, from Yelena’s lethal precision to Sentry’s raw strength, could be the key to victory in ways the Avengers themselves might not be ready to deal with.
In the Thunderbolts’ post-credit scene, we see them watching a Fantastic Four spaceship, Excelsior, breaching Earth’s orbit. It‘s not confirmed who is in that spaceship, either Fantastic Four themselves or Doom, but it will most likely be the opening scene of Avengers: Doomsday.
6. Sentry
If you’re looking for raw, almost terrifying power in the MCU, Sentry’s your guy. Lewis Pullman’s take on the character in Thunderbolts showed what he was capable of. But in Doomsday, he’s going to get a chance to prove he’s more than just a walking weapon.
You’ll see why people compare him to Superman, and how his emotional instability makes him an even bigger threat. If he can keep the Void under control, Sentry can be the Avengers’ most valuable asset. But if he loses control, he might be almost as bad as Doctor Doom himself. That’s the gamble that the team will be forced to take.
5. Fantastic Four
Since The First Steps, it has become clear that this team is not from the Sacred Timeline, but they’re not leaving. Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic), Sue Storm (Invisible Woman), Johnny Storm (Human Torch), and Ben Grimm (The Thing) are bringing new life to the MCU, and they could not have arrived at a better time.
You’re going to see Reed’s rivalry with Doctor Doom take center stage. This isn’t just about strength; this is a battle of intellect, pride, and personal history. Sue’s force fields, Johnny’s fire-based assault, and Ben’s raw strength will be crucial in their fight against Doom. And let’s be honest, seeing the Avengers and Fantastic Four on the big screen side by side is the crossover we’ve been waiting for.
Related:
- Fantastic Four: First Steps: All Burning Questions Answered
- Every Villain in Fantastic Four: First Steps Explained
- Every Fantastic Four Movie and Series, Ranked from Worst to Best
In Fantastic Four’s mid-credit scene, we see Sue watching Doom holding Franklin in The Baxter Building. Doom’s intention with Franklin is not clear yet, but we will soon find out about that in Avengers: Doomsday.
4. Captain America (Sam Wilson)
Sam Wilson’s path to becoming Captain America hasn’t been easy, but Doomsday is where he truly takes the reins. Anthony Mackie’s take on Cap isn’t attempting to be Steve Rogers; he’s leading in his own way, and that’s why he’s so magnificent.
You’ll see him rally the Avengers when they need it most. It will take more than sheer force to face a foe like Doctor Doom; it will take a leader who can bring people together to battle even when the odds seem impossible. And when Sam finally utters those ageless words, “Avengers, Assemble,” you’ll know the mantle is in good hands.
It’s been all but confirmed that Sam Wilson’s Captain America is going to be one of the main characters in Avengers: Doomsday. His team of Avengers may consist of Hulk, Joaquin Torres’s Falcon, Captain Marvel, Shang-Chi, She-Hulk, and Wong.
3. Franklin Richards
If you stayed through The First Steps’ post-credits scene, you’d know Franklin Richards is no normal kid. Even Galactus himself has confirmed his infinite power, and you’ve already witnessed him resurrecting his mother. That’s the kind of power Doctor Doom would do anything to control.
You’re going to witness Franklin become a key character of Doomsday. If Doom can get his hands on him, the multiverse could be remolded in Doom’s image. But if the Avengers and the Fantastic Four get their way and protect him, Franklin could be the one to change the course. He’s no child; he’s potentially the most powerful being in the MCU.
With Doom already getting his hands on him in Fantastic Four, his intentions are still unclear. Is it just to fix his face, possibly to repair injuries suffered while gaining his powers, or is he after Franklin’s power? We will soon find out that in the movie.
2. Loki
Without Loki, the multiverse wouldn’t even hold together. After ascending to the role of God of Stories, Tom Hiddleston’s Loki is keeping all timelines in balance, but you know that kind of responsibility comes along with impossible choices.
You’ll catch up with him in the thick of it in Doomsday, most likely when the multiverse is on the brink of collapse. Whether he sides with the Avengers or plays his own game remains to be seen. But this much is certain: if Doom decides to reshape reality, Loki’s status as multiverse keeper makes him either Doom’s greatest challenge or his most valuable asset.
Related:
- Eyes of Wakanda Timeline Explained: First Project in MCU Chronology
- Kevin Feige Confirms Great MCU Reset: Fewer Shows, X-Men, and Doctor Doom
- Who Is Mephisto in Ironheart – MCU’s Red Devil Finally Revealed
Some of the leaked images of Avengers: Doomsday showed the sets of TVA. There is a chance that Doom will have a visit to TVA, so he can freely roam in multiple timelines like Deadpool did in Deadpool & Wolverine. It may be when we also see him encounter Loki.
1. Doctor Doom
Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom is the sort of casting twist you never saw coming. You’ve already got him as Iron Man, but this is a very different kind of genius. In his mind, he’s not the villain; he’s the hero who will do whatever it takes in a bid to “save” the multiverse.
You already know from The First Steps that he has Franklin Richards in his crosshairs. All through Doomsday, you’re going to be watching him push every hero to their limits. With his intellect, resources, and sheer willpower, Doom won’t merely challenge the Avengers; he’ll force them to face what kind of world they’re really fighting for.
Meanwhile, you can check out all the upcoming Marvel movies and series releasing in Phase 6 and beyond.
