A recent rumor about Avengers: Doomsday has Marvel fans buzzing. Specifically, one of the most beloved Guardians of the Galaxy characters may be missing from the upcoming blockbuster. Despite this, the film promises an enormous ensemble cast and a multiverse-spanning storyline that is sure to excite audiences.
Which Guardians Star Won’t Appear in Avengers: Doomsday?
According to insider Daniel Richtman, Zoe Saldaña will not appear in Avengers: Doomsday. In fact, Richtman jokingly noted on social media that the film might not reach the $2 billion global box office milestone. However, he clarified that it’s not due to the movie’s quality, but rather because Saldaña isn’t part of the cast.
This news comes shortly after reports revealed that Zoe Saldaña became the highest-grossing actor of all time. Notably, this milestone is thanks to her work in the Avatar franchise as well as her role in the MCU as Gamora.
If this report is accurate, both Gamora and Groot would be absent from the film. As a result, Chris Pratt’s Star-Lord would be the only Guardians member rumored to return. Unsurprisingly, this absence is generating debate among fans, since Gamora has played a central role in several key MCU storylines, including Infinity War and Endgame.
Confirmed and Rumored Cast Members
Even with some Guardians absent, Avengers: Doomsday still boasts an incredible lineup of MCU veterans and new characters. In fact, the ensemble promises to bring together heroes from across the MCU in an unprecedented way:
Confirmed or heavily rumored:
- Chris Hemsworth as Thor
- Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards / Mister Fantastic
- Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm / Invisible Woman
- Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson / Captain America
- Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes / Winter Soldier
- Letitia Wright as Shuri / Black Panther
- Paul Rudd as Scott Lang / Ant-Man
Additional reported appearances:
Additional reported appearances include Wyatt Russell as John Walker / U.S. Agent, Tenoch Huerta Mejía as Namor, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm / The Thing. Meanwhile, fans can also expect Simu Liu as Shang-Chi, Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, Kelsey Grammer as Hank McCoy / Beast, and Lewis Pullman as Bob / Sentry. In addition, Danny Ramirez as Joaquin Torres / Falcon, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm / Human Torch, David Harbour as Alexei Shostakov / Red Guardian, Winston Duke as M’Baku, Hannah John-Kamen as Ava Starr / Ghost, and Tom Hiddleston as Loki are all reportedly set to appear.
Clearly, the size of the cast underscores Marvel Studios’ intent to deliver a true multiversal epic. With multiple storylines converging, the film promises an epic climactic showdown.
X-Men Return in Avengers: Doomsday
Additionally, another major draw for fans is the return of X-Men characters, which marks a historic crossover. Specifically, confirmed or rumored X-Men cast members include:
- Patrick Stewart as Charles Xavier
- Ian McKellen as Magneto
- Alan Cumming as Nightcrawler
- Rebecca Romijn as Mystique
- James Marsden as Cyclops
- Channing Tatum as Gambit
This integration of X-Men, Avengers, and Fantastic Four highlights Marvel’s bold multiverse strategy, expanding the universe in ways that could redefine future storylines.
Gamora’s absence has sparked significant fan discussion online. Some believe it may open the door for new Guardians characters to emerge, while others worry about losing one of the franchise’s most iconic heroes. Many fans have speculated whether alternate universe versions of Gamora could still appear, keeping her connected to the larger multiverse plot.
Release Date and Future Plans
Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled to hit theaters on December 18, 2026, followed by Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027. Marvel appears focused on weaving together multiple storylines, balancing the Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, X-Men, and Fantastic Four in one overarching narrative. Even with the absence of some fan-favorite characters, Avengers: Doomsday promises an epic experience, emphasizing the scale and ambition of the MCU’s multiverse storytelling.
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