Marvel and Disney really know how to get fans excited for a new Avengers movie, don’t they? Even by just showing one single actor, namely Robert Downey Jr. (who will be playing Doctor Doom), they managed to get everyone hyped for the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday. Considering the video is mostly shows a bunch of chairs with names on them, it’s amazing that its already garnered nine million views as of this writing!
I am obviously downplaying the significance of the chairs as the point of all those chairs was to feature all of the recurring Marvel Cinematic Universe characters who will be appearing in Avengers: Doomsday. But I did notice there were some prominent actors who have starred in previous Marvel movies who didn’t get their own chairs. That doesn’t mean they won’t be in the movie as this is, most likely, just a partial cast list. But I do find it rather uncanny how they might not even be in here. So, let’s go through some of the names that are absent, shall we?
Side note: While the title of this post says “Five Marvel Characters…”, I will be highlighting duos and groups as, well, if I didn’t, this would be a very long list and I know you don’t have time for that. Also, the title is just snappier. Anyway, on with the list!
Here’s the character that inspired this list. When I initially saw the video, I was expecting to see Tom Holland‘s name embossed on one of those chairs. After all, he was essentially Tony Stark‘s protoge and the same guy is playing the main villain.
I thought there should be a scene where Peter Parker/Spider-Man would see Doctor Doom without his mask and be surprised and elated to see him alive… only to get blasted by the leader of Latveria. So, imagine my surprise, as well as most of the fans who were attentive while watching the cast announcement, to see no chair was prepared for Tom Holland. I guess the Avengers can’t get a hold of him since everyone forgot Spider-Man is Peter Parker at the end of Spider-Man: No Way Home.
This is another missing name that really caught my attention. When Avengers: Endgame was done, I thought, if there was someone who would be able to bring Earth’s Mightiest Heroes all together again, it would be Doctor Strange. He kind of felt like he would become the de facto leader of the Avengers as I can’t really see anyone else who would have a connection with all of the other Marvel characters.
Sadly, it looks like Benedict Cumberbatch, the actor who plays Doctor Strange, didn’t have a chair shown in the cast reveal. I guess it’s possible he’s busy travelling the multiverse with Clea as seen at the end of Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness.
It does look like Marvel is kind of cleaning house when it comes to their Phase One characters. Based on the names found on the chairs, the only Marvel characters who are returning from that time period are Chris Hemsworth‘s Thor and Tom Hiddleson‘s Loki. It is understandable how Captain America and Iron Man are not going to be in Avengers: Doomsday due to the events of Avengers: Endgame. But I can’t understand why Bruce Banner/The Hulk isn’t.
It does seem as if the cast and, as such, the heroes who will be appearing in Avengers: Doomsday, will have enough brainpower and smarts. After all, they do have Letitia Wright‘s Shuri/Black Panther and Pedro Pascal‘s Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic (the smartest man in Marvel comics). It still feels like it needs someone like Bruce Banner in his new permanent Hulk persona to keep things interesting.
Like with Bruce Banner/The Hulk, it looks like Nick Fury is another victim of Marvel forgetting to use their Phase One characters. Samuel L. Jackson‘s Nick Fury was pretty much a fixture of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and has appeared in all of the Phases in one way or another. In fact, the character has appeared in twelve movies and two television shows that are set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe! Sure, most of them are just cameos… but that’s still a lot!
As Samuel L. Jackson didn’t have a chair, this would break Nick Fury’s streak of being in every Avengers movie. Oh, he could still have a cameo like he usually does. Then again, maybe he’s still on the Kree homeworld trying to negotiate peace as mentioned in Marvel’s Secret Invasion.
This was both a shock and not surprising at the same time. I mean, The Marvels movie didn’t exactly light up the box office when it was released. A lot of fans were also getting annoyed by Brie Larson (who plays Captain Marvel). Many were fine with Iman Vellani‘s Miss Marvel but not exactly stoked to see where she’d pop up next.
However, the surprise does come with Teyonah Paris‘ name not showing up in any of the chairs. Why? Because, at the end of The Marvels, her character, Monica Rambeau, comes face-to-face with Kelsey Grammer‘s Beast from the X-Men movies. And Kelsey Grammer’s name appears on one of those chairs in the cast reveal video! So, if Kelsey Grammer is going to appear in Avengers: Doomsday, you would think Monica Rambeau would also show up!
I kind of get why we didn’t see Captain Marvel or Miss Marvel get a chair. However, it does seem odd that Monica Rambeau, who is now connected to both the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the X-Men universe, seemingly isn’t going to appear, doesn’t it?
Bonus 1: Deadpool and Wolverine
Since Deadpool and Wolverine was probably Marvel’s biggest critical and box-office success in recent memory, you would think the titular characters will be there front and center for Avengers: Doomsday. But, nope! Neither Ryan Reynolds or Hugh Jackman were given any chairs!
But in retrospect, I can see why as I don’t actually see them fitting in exactly. Deadpool is more comedic so having him in a more “serious” film wouldn’t really do him any favors. He would stick out like a sore thumb. And Wolverine may show up but be more of a cameo… so giving Hugh Jackman a chair wouldn’t be needed. Then again, he would need a chair since he’ll be doing the role ’till he’s 90.
Bonus 2: Any of the Eternals
Yep, no surprises here. Honestly, I kind of forgot there was an Eternals movie for the longest time. To me, this was the heralding of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s slide to mediocrity.
I’m actually planning on doing a Marvel Cinematic Universe marathon of all the Phase 4 and Phase 5 movies and TV shows I haven’t watched. And I dreaded having to watch the Eternals. So, since none of them were given chairs, maybe I don’t have to? Please?
Bonus 3: Any of the Guardians of the Galaxy
Now, when Avengers: Doomsday was announced, I kind of knew none of the Guardians of the Galaxy would show up. The main reason is James Gunn. Although the movies are part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise seems to be more of a James Gunn property.
With him moving to the CEO of DC Studios, Marvel’s rival, I think they would rather end the Guardians’ story for now. It’s a shame, really. I am rather curious to see what Rocket is doing with his new squad now that he’s taken over leadership of the group at the end of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.
Who else do you think is missing from the cast of Avengers: Doomsday? Let me know in the comments section below!
3rd World Geeks 