Three Fan-Favorite Marvel Stars Won't Appear in Avengers: Doomsday—Here's Why They're Sitting Out

If you thought everyone and their multiversal dog was set to appear in 'Avengers: Doomsday,' well, maybe not so fast. Despite Marvel's apparent goal to stuff as many previous stars as humanly (or inhumanly) possible into the next mega-crossover, there are, believe it or not, a few actors who claim they're sitting this one out.

Three Marvel Regulars Not Turning Up (Or So They Say)

The latest moment of Marvel-related group honesty came via 'The Graham Norton Show,' of all places. The host couldn't resist grilling three guests with Marvel connections on whether they'd signed up to return for the 'new fancy' Avengers adventure. The mini-panel: Martin Freeman (that government guy Everett Ross from 'Black Panther'), Wunmi Mosaku (minute-minding TVA boss B-15 in 'Loki'), and the freshly-knighted Sir Idris Elba, aka Heimdall (dead as a doornail in the MCU, last we checked).

Here's how it went down:

• Martin Freeman – As dry as ever, Freeman just said, 'Apparently not. Not everyone.' Translation: He's not on the list (unless Marvel PR has him on 'super-secret cameo' lockdown).
• Wunmi Mosaku – She shrugged off the idea that 'most people are in,' calling it 'rude' as a joke, but didn't exactly confirm anything.
• Idris Elba – Went full deadpan (emphasis on 'dead'), basically saying, 'My character died, Graham. So…' To which Norton, true to form, replied: 'They all fucking die!' Not inaccurate by Marvel standards.

Take Them At Their Word? Maybe, Maybe Not

It's worth remembering: 'I'm not in it' is usually what you're contractually required to say until two weeks before the trailer lands. So none of this is carved in Asgardian stone.

In Mosaku's case, it feels especially iffy—her TVA Judge B-15 is practically tailor-made for a movie that's apparently going hard on timeline shenanigans. With rumors swirling about both Robert Downey Jr. (possibly not as Iron Man, but as Doctor Doom—yes, really) and Tom Hiddleston's Loki showing up, the TVA not showing up at all would be more surprising.

Who Is Coming Back?

Marvel did throw fans a bone with a huge livestream in March 2025, confirming return appearances from actors spanning the X-Men 'legacy' crew, the Fantastic Four, and a who's who of MCU veterans. The most recent teasers have pushed major returns for Captain America (Steve Rogers version), Thor, the X-Men, and the Wakandan squad.

Release Date and Just a Bit of Hype

Barring reshoots, strikes, or sudden multiverse collapse, 'Avengers: Doomsday' is currently scheduled to hit theaters December 18, 2026.

"My character died, Graham. So…"

Expect at least a few more denials, some misdirection, and probably a handful of scenes designed entirely to make you say, 'Wait, was that—?' as Marvel tries to keep just enough surprises under wraps. But at least, for now, a few familiar faces have found a way off the Marvel assembly line.