The New Avengers Roster: 15+ Heroes Confirmed For The Film Formerly Known As Avengers: The Kang Dynasty

The landscape of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has undergone a seismic shift, directly impacting the highly anticipated fifth Avengers film, which was originally announced as Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. As of December 2025, the project has seen major changes, including a likely title pivot to Avengers: Doomsday, a delayed release date to May 1, 2026, and the complete overhaul of its central villain and creative team, paving the way for a fresh, new roster of heroes to take the lead.

This article provides the most current breakdown of the confirmed and heavily rumored cast members—the new generation of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes—who are set to confront the next multiversal threat, along with critical updates on the film’s production status following the departure of actor Jonathan Majors and the subsequent creative shake-up.

The New Lineup: Confirmed and Highly Rumored Cast for Avengers 5

The core intention of the film—to serve as the penultimate chapter of The Multiverse Saga—remains, but the faces leading the charge are a mix of established veterans and newly minted heroes from Phase 4 and 5. The following list comprises the most credible and frequently cited actors expected to form the new Avengers roster and supporting cast for the film now widely speculated to be titled Avengers: Doomsday.

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• Anthony Mackie as Captain America (Sam Wilson): Following his debut in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and his upcoming solo film, Sam Wilson is the official new Captain America and is expected to be a central leader of the new Avengers team.
• Chris Hemsworth as Thor: The last remaining member of the original "Big Three," Hemsworth's return as the God of Thunder is highly anticipated, likely bringing his experience to the new team.
• Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm / Invisible Woman: The entire cast of the upcoming Fantastic Four film is rumored to play a major role in Avengers 5. Kirby’s Sue Storm is one of the most prominent names mentioned, signaling the introduction of Marvel's First Family into the main Avengers narrative.
• Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes / Winter Soldier: A veteran hero and ally to the new Captain America, Bucky's inclusion provides a crucial link to the original Avengers era.
• Letitia Wright as Shuri / Black Panther: As the current Black Panther and a technological genius, Shuri's presence is vital for both combat and strategy.
• Paul Rudd as Scott Lang / Ant-Man: Despite his confrontation with Kang in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Rudd's Ant-Man is listed as a returning hero, providing a key perspective on the Multiverse threat.
• Tom Hiddleston as Loki: Given his central role in securing the Sacred Timeline in the Loki series, the character is a logical and necessary addition to any multiversal conflict, though his role may be non-combatant.
• Wyatt Russell as John Walker / U.S. Agent: The controversial former Captain America is expected to return, likely as a member of a government-sanctioned team like the Thunderbolts, which could put him in conflict or alliance with the Avengers.
• Tenoch Huerta Mejía as Namor: The sovereign of Talokan, first seen in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, is another powerhouse expected to be involved in the global-scale conflict.
• Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards / Mr. Fantastic: Along with Sue Storm, the leader of the Fantastic Four is expected to be a key player in understanding and combating the multiversal threat.
• Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm / The Thing: The powerhouse of the Fantastic Four, his involvement guarantees a major physical presence in the battle.
• Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm / Human Torch: The final member of the Fantastic Four, his powers will be a major asset to the new team.
• Sadie Sink in an Undisclosed Role: The Stranger Things star has been named in casting rumors, suggesting a significant new character is being introduced.

The Villain Pivot: From Kang to Doctor Doom?

The most significant and talked-about change surrounding the film is the shift in the primary antagonist. Following the firing of Jonathan Majors, Marvel Studios is reportedly moving away from Kang the Conqueror as the central villain, despite the entire saga being named after him.

The new focus is heavily rumored to be on Victor Von Doom, better known as Doctor Doom.

Doctor Doom is arguably Marvel's greatest villain, a brilliant scientist and sorcerer who rules the nation of Latveria. His introduction in Avengers 5 is a massive development that could redefine the entire Multiverse Saga. The shift from a time-traveling warlord (Kang) to a geopolitical, magic-wielding genius (Doom) suggests a different kind of threat for the new Avengers team to face.

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The Robert Downey Jr. and Doctor Doom Speculation

One of the most explosive and persistent rumors is the potential return of Robert Downey Jr. to the MCU, not as Iron Man, but as a variant of Doctor Doom.

While this remains unconfirmed speculation, the idea of a beloved actor returning in a completely new, villainous role has generated immense curiosity and fan discussion. The narrative possibility of a genius like Tony Stark having a terrifying multiversal counterpart in Doctor Doom is a compelling plot point that could tie the entire MCU history together in a shocking manner.

Production Status: Director, Writer, and The May 2026 Release Date

The production of the film, now slated for a May 1, 2026 release, has been in flux.

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As of late 2025, the project is notably without a director or a writer.

Destin Daniel Cretton, the director of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, was originally attached to direct The Kang Dynasty but departed the project to focus on other Marvel ventures.

Similarly, the writing duties have changed hands multiple times, with Jeff Loveness (Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania) being replaced by Michael Waldron (Loki, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness), who has also reportedly left the project.

The lack of a confirmed creative team so close to the expected production start highlights the massive retooling Marvel Studios is undertaking to pivot the story away from the Kang storyline and solidify the new direction, likely centered on the threat of Doctor Doom and the introduction of the Fantastic Four. The studio is clearly taking its time to ensure the next major team-up event sets the stage perfectly for the subsequent finale, Avengers: Secret Wars.

Topical Authority: Key Entities and LSI Keywords

The casting and plot changes for the film formerly known as Avengers: The Kang Dynasty are crucial to understanding the future of the MCU. The film is a pivotal moment in the Multiverse Saga, directly setting up the events of Avengers: Secret Wars. Key entities and concepts that are now central to the discussion include The Fantastic Four, Doctor Doom's role, the new Captain America (Sam Wilson), and the potential return of Thor. The shift in the main villain from Kang the Conqueror to a new threat confirms that the MCU is prioritizing character over a single actor, ensuring the continuity of the entire franchise. The film's new direction will define the next generation of heroes, including Shuri as Black Panther, Bucky Barnes, and the integration of characters from the Thunderbolts and Young Avengers rumors, making it a must-watch for fans tracking the Phase 6 storyline.