Prepare to be surprised—some of your favorite Marvel characters might be making a comeback in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday, and here's where it gets especially interesting... Not all of the biggest heroes and villains are immediately making headlines, but recent insights from a talented MCU director give us a hint about who's potentially returning and who might be left out this time around.
The Russo Brothers and Marvel Studios have been eager to showcase a variety of familiar faces returning for Avengers: Doomsday—the first few trailers confirmed the comeback of characters from different eras of Marvel history, including the X-Men from the Fox days, as well as iconic figures like Thor, Shuri, The Thing, and Steve Rogers. But one particular group of characters has surprisingly remained silent in the promotional material so far. Now, thanks to a recent interview with a key MCU director, we learn more about whether these characters will see the light of day in this epic installment.
Among the notable absences from the current Avengers: Doomsday roster are characters who are connected to the Marvels universe, such as Captain Marvel (played by Brie Larson), Ms. Marvel (Iman Vellani), and Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris). Nia DaCosta, who directed The Marvels and worked closely with all three actors, recently shared some insights during an interview with Deadline related to her latest project, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. She mentioned, “I was just visiting the Avengers set last summer—catching up with producers, reconnecting with the Russo brothers, and some of my friends who were involved in the movie.”
This casual comment indicates that DaCosta’s friends—possibly including those three characters—are involved in Avengers: Doomsday. It would be quite unusual for a major Marvel film not to feature some of its most powerful and popular characters, especially given their prominence in the story. Her remarks suggest that at least a few of them could be making a significant appearance, which is promising news for fans eager to see more of these beloved characters.
In addition, DaCosta addressed the mixed reception of The Marvels, which offers some good news amidst the controversy. Despite its underwhelming box office performance, earning just above $206 million globally after high expectations due to the success of Captain Marvel, she emphasized the positive relationships formed during the project. “Even with how everything turned out financially and critically, I truly value the relationships I built with the cast and crew,” she reflected. “Everyone tried their best, and I believe everyone worked hard to make a great film. That’s what matters most.”
She also highlighted an interesting perspective on the Marvel machine’s hype—saying that, despite all the chatter and the mixed reactions, the core effort of everyone involved was sincere and dedicated. To her, the personal connections are what stand out most, and she feels grateful for those friendships.
Looking ahead, 2023 was a rollercoaster for Marvel Studios—a year marked by high peaks and some noticeable valleys. The Marvels, as a sequel to the billion-dollar hit Captain Marvel, carried a lot of weight and audience expectation. Unfortunately, it brought in just over $206 million worldwide—a respectable figure but arguably disappointing compared to its predecessor. Since its release, we’ve seen Ms. Marvel appear briefly in Marvel Zombies, but the other two characters seem to have gone into hiding. However, DaCosta’s comments make it plausible they might still have a role to play in Avengers: Doomsday, possibly even in full force.
And the best news? Avengers: Doomsday is set to hit theaters on December 18, 2026. Will we see all three Marvels characters return? Only time will tell, but fans are hopeful!
What are your thoughts? Do you believe these characters will make a triumphant return in Doomsday? Or do you think they might be left out entirely? Drop your opinions in the comments below and join the ongoing conversation on theComicBook Forum—because in the world of Marvel, nothing is set in stone until it’s on the big screen.
