Summary
- Avengers: Secret Wars will feature more characters than any previous Marvel film.
- Robert Downey Jr. returns to the MCU as Doctor Doom for a bold move.
- Fantastic Four cast includes Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bacharach.
Avengers: Secret Wars suggests that the final film in the Multiverse Saga will feature more characters than any previous Marvel film. Rumors have been circulating about the project, many of which suggest that multiversal past heroes may reunite in the film, including Hugh Jackman's Wolverine and Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man. All that is currently speculation; however, some details have recently been confirmed for the film’s cast.
Secret Wars will be preceded by Avengers: Doomsday in 2026, with Doomsday slated to have 60 returning characters. Featuring the return of the Russo brothers, who are set to direct both films, the movies will no doubt share many cast , and the plots will likely feed into one another like in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. Characters from the MCU past and present, including Captain Marvel, Thor, and Doctor Strange, seem likely to be involved in the battleworld setting of the film. However, only a few new characters to the universe have so far been confirmed to appear.
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Robert Downey Jr. As Doctor Doom
The Iron Man Star Is Confirmed To Return To The MCU As Victor Von Doom
Academy Award Winner Robert Downey Jr. began the Marvel Cinematic Universe when he played Iron Man in the titular film. The character remained the central figure in the universe throughout the entire Infinity Saga. He had a trilogy of his own films, led every Avengers film, and had significant appearances in Captain America: Civil War and Spider-Man: Homecoming. Following such an incredible path and such intimate links between Tony Stark and the rest of the Avengers, Marvel has decided to bring the heart of their franchise back after his character's death.
To do this, as was announced at SDCC 2024, Robert Downey Jr. will be playing Doctor Doom. Casting Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom is a bold move, but there is reason to be hopeful. The actor has range and versatility that could be powerfully channeled into a villainous role. The full character details have not been revealed, but much speculation seems to be that Victor Von Doom will be a Tony Stark variant. There is much to look forward to from Downey's return to the MCU, whether as a variant or as the traditional character iteration.
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Pedro Pascal As Mister Fantastic
After A Turn As Maxwell Lord In The DCEU Pascal Will Play Reed Richards
Pedro Pascal was set to appear in The Fantastic Four: First Steps in early 2024, and was confirmed at San Diego Comic-Con later that year to be appearing in both Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. Pascal will be playing one of the smartest men alive, Reed Richards, the patriarch of the Fantastic Four team. This will be the character's second appearance in the MCU, as John Krasinski played another variant in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Pascal has been a highly sought-after performer in recent years. The actor first broke through in a short role on Game of Thrones before going on to lead some of the most popular television series, including The Mandalorian and The Last of Us. He has also become a regular presence in cinema and will next appear in the much-anticipated Gladiator II alongside his Fantastic Four co-star Joseph Quinn.
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Vanessa Kirby As The Invisible Woman
The Crown Star Vanessa Kirby Will Play Sue Storm
Following in the footsteps of Jessica Alba and Kate Mara, Vanessa Kirby was confirmed at SDCC 2024 to be reprising her role from The Fantastic Four: First Steps in both Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. Kirby, who appeared in Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw and Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One, will be playing Sue Storm, also known as the Invisible Woman. The character is a sibling to Johnny and is often married to Reed in the comics.
It was rumored from the beginning that Sue Storm may be the lead of the Fantastic Four film, although it is unclear if that is still the case. Either way, Kirby is a powerhouse of a performer who is sure to add emotion and weight for the role, and was nominated for an Academy Award for her performance in Pieces of a Woman. Kirby will be a strong addition to the Marvel Universe, and the prospect of her character sharing the screen with other heroes makes for some promising scenes ahead.
Joseph Quinn As The Human Torch
The Stranger Things Alum Has Been Cast As Johnny Storm
Joseph Quinn was confirmed to be playing Johnny Storm in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and was announced at SDCC 2024 to also be a part of the Avengers: Secret Wars cast. The role has been notably played in the past by Chris Evans and Michael B. Jordan, both of whom went on to major success in the MCU playing different roles. It remains to be seen if Quinn will follow in their path, but the Stranger Things star is a promising addition to Marvel’s new team.
Quinn has been rising as a star in recent years. After breaking out in a big way in Stranger Things, the actor has been cast to appear in several different major projects. He recently co-led A Quiet Place: Day One alongside Black Panther star Lupita Nyong'o, and will next be appearing in Gladiator II, where he is set to play the emperor. Adding a rising star like this to the Marvel Universe is promising for the future of MCU storytelling.
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Ebon Moss-Bacharach As The Thing
The Emmy Award Winning Performer From The Bear Will Play Ben Grimm
Ebon Moss-Bacharach will be ing the Marvel Cinematic Universe for a second time as Ben Grimm in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Following this, the actor was confirmed at SDCC 2024 to also be appearing in the next two Avengers films. Moss-Bacharach has worked in Hollywood for some time, and previously appeared in the MCU as David Lieberman on the Netflix series The Punisher. Recently, he has risen to prominence for his scene-stealing turn on the Hulu drama The Bear.
Moss-Bacharach has won an Emmy for his performance in The Bear as Richie, and appears to be on a positive trajectory in his career, meaning it makes perfect sense that Marvel would want to get someone like this in their series of films. The actor has also appeared in hit series including Girls and Andor and will next be seen in Hold Your Breath, an horror film.
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With Secret Wars slated to end the Multiverse Saga, it is likely that many more cast will be announced to the project. Virtually any character who has appeared in a Marvel project, from Phil Coulson to Skaar, would make sense as a part of the film's story. As production begins on the next two Avengers films, it seems likely that more cast details will be released as things get underway. However, the full picture may not be available until after the release of Avengers: Doomsday, which will set up the plot of Avengers: Secret Wars.
Avengers: Secret Wars
- Release Date
- December 17, 2027
- Director
- Joe Russo
- Writers
- Stephen McFeely, Stan Lee
- Prequel(s)
- Avengers: Doomsday
- Franchise(s)
- Marvel Cinematic Universe
Cast
Reed Richards / Mr. Fantastic
Vanessa KirbySue Storm / Invisible Woman
Johnny Storm / Human Torch
Ebon Moss-BachrachBen Grimm / The Thing
Avengers: Secret Wars is the sixth Avengers film and takes place during Phase Six of Marvel's Cinematic Universe.
- Studio(s)
- Marvel Studios
