The landscape of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has undergone a seismic shift, fundamentally altering the highly anticipated fifth Avengers film, originally titled Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. As of December 2025, the film is no longer called The Kang Dynasty, with multiple reports suggesting the new title is *Avengers: Doomsday*—a change driven by the firing of actor Jonathan Majors and a complete creative overhaul of the Multiverse Saga's primary antagonist.
This massive pivot means the entire cast and plot dynamic are now being re-evaluated, promising a fresh, unique, and deeply consequential lineup of heroes and a shocking new villain to face them. While Marvel Studios has yet to officially confirm the final roster for Avengers: Doomsday, leaked information and reliable industry rumors point to a new generation of heroes stepping up, led by a new Captain America, and an unexpected, high-profile replacement for the role of the main antagonist. The following is the most current breakdown of the expected cast and the dramatic changes behind the scenes.
The Architects of Change: Key Personnel & Villain Status
The transition from The Kang Dynasty to Doomsday is marked by significant departures and major casting speculation, which directly impacts the film’s narrative and the actors involved.
Jonathan Majors (Former Kang the Conqueror)
- Role in MCU: Majors was the centerpiece of the Multiverse Saga, playing He Who Remains in Loki and multiple variants of Kang the Conqueror in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.
- Current Status: Fired by Marvel Studios in late 2023 following a conviction.
- Impact: His firing is the direct cause of the title change and the need to either recast the role or, more likely, introduce a completely new central villain for the conclusion of the Multiverse Saga.
Destin Daniel Cretton (Former Director)
- Key Work: Directed the highly successful Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
- Current Status: Cretton was initially hired to direct Avengers: The Kang Dynasty but stepped away from the project in late 2023.
- Impact: His departure, coupled with the villain change, signals a full creative reset for the film, which currently does not have a confirmed director.
Colman Domingo (Recast Rumor)
- Background: Known for his Emmy-winning role in Euphoria and his acclaimed performance in Rustin.
- Rumored Role: Reports indicate that Domingo met with Marvel executives regarding the potential role of Kang, suggesting a possible, though controversial, direct recast of the villain.
- Status: Unconfirmed, but a strong candidate if Marvel chooses to continue with the Kang storyline using a new actor.
Robert Downey Jr. & Doctor Doom (Shock Villain Rumor)
- The Rumor: One of the most explosive rumors suggests that Robert Downey Jr., who played Tony Stark/Iron Man, could return to the MCU not as a hero, but as the new primary antagonist, Doctor Doom.
- Doctor Doom's Significance: Victor Von Doom is one of Marvel's most iconic and formidable villains, a perfect replacement for Kang as a major threat.
- Impact: If true, this move would completely redefine the film, giving the new Avengers a villain with an unprecedented level of star power and emotional weight for the audience.
The New Lineup: Heroes Confirmed and Expected to Join the Fight
With the original Avengers (Iron Man, Captain America, Black Widow) either retired or deceased, Avengers: Doomsday will feature the next generation of Earth's Mightiest Heroes. This new team draws heavily from the characters introduced across Phase 4 and Phase 5 of the MCU, forming a diverse and powerful roster to combat the multiversal threat.
The Core Leadership Trio
These three heroes are consistently rumored to form the backbone and primary leadership structure of the new Avengers team, carrying the legacy of the original Big Three (Iron Man, Captain America, Thor).
- Sam Wilson (Captain America): Anthony Mackie's character is now the official Captain America, having inherited the shield and the mantle in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. He is the most likely candidate to lead the new team into battle.
- Shang-Chi: Simu Liu's Master of the Ten Rings is expected to play a crucial role, especially given his director, Destin Daniel Cretton, was originally attached to the film. His unique power set and connection to powerful artifacts make him essential.
- Captain Marvel (Carol Danvers): Brie Larson's cosmic powerhouse remains one of the most powerful beings in the MCU and a veteran of the original Avengers team. She will be vital in any multiversal or cosmic conflict.
The Multiversal & Street-Level Contingent
The threat posed by Kang (or Doctor Doom) is expected to be multiversal in scope, requiring heroes with unique abilities to navigate different realities and fight on multiple fronts.
- Spider-Man (Peter Parker): Tom Holland's Spider-Man, despite the world forgetting him, is a central figure and is expected to be drawn into the conflict, potentially as the link to Doctor Strange and the Multiverse.
- Doctor Strange (Stephen Strange): The Sorcerer Supreme is the MCU's primary expert on the Multiverse and will undoubtedly be a key strategic player in the battle against any multiversal threat.
- Ant-Man (Scott Lang) & The Wasp (Hope van Dyne): Given their direct, albeit disastrous, involvement with Kang in Quantumania, Scott and Hope are expected to be central figures, providing critical intelligence on the villain's capabilities.
- Moon Knight (Marc Spector/Steven Grant): Oscar Isaac's hero, with his connections to the Egyptian moon god Khonshu and his dissociative identity disorder, offers a unique and powerful mystical element to the team.
- Daredevil (Matt Murdock): The inclusion of Charlie Cox’s Daredevil suggests a need for street-level, tactical heroes, expanding the scope of the team beyond cosmic and super-soldiers.
The Rising Stars and Legacy Heroes
The new Avengers must also include the legacy characters who have taken over the mantles of the original heroes, representing the future of the MCU.
The Black Panther and Wakanda's Role
- Shuri (Black Panther): Letitia Wright's Shuri, who assumed the mantle of Black Panther in Wakanda Forever, is expected to bring Wakanda’s unparalleled technology and resources to the team.
- Okoye: As the leader of the Dora Milaje, Okoye’s tactical genius and fighting skill will be invaluable.
The Young Avengers and Anti-Heroes
- Yelena Belova: Florence Pugh's spy-turned-anti-hero, the new Black Widow, is a strong candidate to join the team, bringing her tactical espionage skills and morally grey perspective.
- Kate Bishop (Hawkeye): Hailee Steinfeld's young archer, trained by Clint Barton, is a foundational member of the rumored Young Avengers and could be called upon in a large-scale conflict.
- War Machine (James Rhodes): Don Cheadle's veteran hero is one of the few remaining members of the original team structure and will provide crucial military experience and guidance.
The Villain's Shocking Replacement: Kang vs. Doom
The most critical and fluid aspect of the Avengers: Doomsday cast is the identity of the main villain. The decision to fire Jonathan Majors has forced Marvel into a corner: either commit to a full recast of Kang or pivot to a new villain entirely.
The Case for a Kang Recast
The Multiverse Saga was built around Kang. To completely abandon the character would necessitate a massive rewrite of all preceding plot points, including the events of Loki, Quantumania, and the entire premise of the Time Variance Authority (TVA). The rumors of Colman Domingo meeting with Marvel suggest that a direct recast remains a viable option, allowing the core narrative of the Multiverse Saga to remain intact, albeit with a new face for the tyrannical time traveler.
The Case for Doctor Doom
The most exciting and persistent rumor is the introduction of Doctor Doom, possibly played by a major star like Robert Downey Jr. The name *Avengers: Doomsday* is a very strong clue, as "Doom" is literally in the title. Doctor Doom is a character capable of both scientific and magical feats, making him a credible threat to the entire Multiverse. Furthermore, the introduction of Doom would serve to set up the Fantastic Four's entry into the MCU and provide a villain with a history as rich and formidable as Thanos.
The shift to Doctor Doom would allow Marvel to cleanly cut ties with the Majors controversy and inject a massive, fresh energy into the franchise's conclusion, while also potentially setting up an unprecedented emotional conflict if the RDJ rumors prove true. Regardless of who the final villain is, the new Avengers team will face a threat that requires them to be more unified, strategic, and powerful than ever before.
The Path Forward for Avengers: Doomsday
With the film currently slated for a 2026 release, the coming months will be crucial for official announcements regarding the cast and the final title. The current situation—a new title, a departed director, and a villain in flux—makes Avengers: Doomsday one of the most unpredictable and highly scrutinized films in MCU history. The final cast will not only determine the success of the film but also the entire direction of the MCU's future, solidifying the new generation of Earth's Mightiest Heroes against a truly apocalyptic threat. The anticipation for the official confirmation of the new Avengers lineup is at an all-time high, promising a monumental cinematic event.
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