The *Avengers: Doomsday* cast reveal on March 26, 2025, brought together an impressive lineup of MCU heroes, from Chris Hemsworth’s Thor to Vanessa Kirby’s Sue Storm, during a 5.5-hour livestream that captivated fans worldwide. However, several fan-favorite characters are missing from the roster, sparking intense speculation about their roles in the MCU’s future. With over 1 million searches on Google Trends and trending hashtags like #AvengersDoomsday and #WhereIsSpiderMan on X, fans are eager to know why Tom Holland, Chris Pratt, and Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk aren’t part of *Avengers: Doomsday*. The reveal, which showcased chairs labeled with each actor’s name, confirmed a star-studded cast, but the absence of key heroes like Spider-Man, Star-Lord, and the Hulk has left fans with more questions than answers. Social media reactions have been mixed—some fans are disappointed, with one X user posting, 'No Spider-Man in Doomsday? What’s the point?' while others are optimistic, theorizing surprise cameos. Let’s dive into the notable absences and what they might mean for Marvel’s multiverse epic, set to release on May 1, 2026. For the full cast list, [check out our comprehensive overview of Avengers: Doomsday here](#).

Tom Holland’s absence as Spider-Man is one of the biggest shocks from the *Avengers: Doomsday* cast reveal. Reports from Variety suggest Holland is busy filming *The Odyssey* and *Spider-Man 4*, with the latter set to release in July 2026, just months after *Doomsday*. However, an insider quoted by The Hollywood Reporter hints it’s 'more about the character’s schedule,' suggesting a deliberate narrative choice by Marvel Studios. Some fans speculate that Spider-Man’s absence might tie into the multiverse plot—perhaps Peter Parker is dealing with his own multiversal threats following *Spider-Man: No Way Home*. Chris Pratt’s Star-Lord is also missing, with Deadline confirming he’s not expected to appear. This could be due to narrative fit—Star-Lord’s cosmic adventures with the Guardians of the Galaxy may not align with the Earth-bound conflict against Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom, especially after the Guardians’ storyline concluded in *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3*. Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk is another surprising omission, potentially due to Disney’s lack of rights to produce a solo Hulk film, a lingering issue from Universal’s ownership of the character’s distribution rights. Some speculate Hulk’s absence is narrative-driven—perhaps Doctor Doom doesn’t 'move the needle' for the character, or Hulk is off dealing with his son, Skaar, as hinted in *She-Hulk: Attorney at Law*. On X, fans have theorized that Hulk might be reserved for a larger role in *Avengers: Secret Wars*, set for 2027. Other notable absences include Chris Evans, who denied returning as Captain America in a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, though fans remain skeptical given his past MCU surprises; Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange, who may be tied up with *Doctor Strange 3* rumors; Elizabeth Olsen as Scarlet Witch, whose fate remains uncertain after *Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness*; Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye; and Brie Larson as Captain Marvel, who might be off-world during *Doomsday*’s events. Even Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine and Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool are absent, despite their recent success in *Deadpool & Wolverine*, which grossed over $1.3 billion worldwide. Meanwhile, other X-Men like Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen are confirmed, adding to the mystery. [Learn more about the X-Men in Avengers: Doomsday here](#).

The absences have fueled rampant speculation about the MCU’s future, with fans and analysts alike dissecting every clue. Sadie Sink’s casting in *Spider-Man 4*, as reported by The Wrap, has led to rumors that she might play Jean Grey, signaling a new generation of X-Men that could debut post-*Doomsday*. There’s also buzz about a potential connection to *Thunderbolts*, releasing on May 2, 2025, just one day after *Doomsday*. Some fans on Reddit theorize that the antiheroes’ actions in *Thunderbolts*—featuring characters like Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova and Wyatt Russell’s John Walker—could set up conflicts that spill into *Doomsday*, potentially explaining the absence of more traditional heroes like Spider-Man and Captain Marvel. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige hinted at more cast announcements during a recent press event, stating, 'We’ve only scratched the surface of what’s coming in the multiverse saga.' This has led some to believe that these absences may not be final—could we see surprise cameos from Spider-Man, Hulk, or even Deadpool when the film releases on May 1, 2026? The absence of key heroes suggests *Avengers: Doomsday* will focus on a new dynamic, with the X-Men, Thunderbolts, and Fantastic Four taking center stage alongside MCU veterans like Thor and Captain America. On X, the hashtag #MCUPhase6 has been trending, with fans debating whether these absences signal a shift toward new heroes or a setup for a larger multiversal battle in *Avengers: Secret Wars*. For now, the MCU’s future remains as unpredictable as the multiverse itself. Stay tuned to NowSpike for more MCU updates, and check out our other trending articles, like our recap of [Iowa vs. Oklahoma March 25, 2025](#).

The absence of Spider-Man, Star-Lord, and Hulk has sparked a wave of fan theories that could shape the MCU’s Phase 6. One popular theory on Reddit suggests that Tom Holland’s Spider-Man might be absent because of a multiversal rift—perhaps he’s trapped in another universe following the events of *Spider-Man: No Way Home*, where he erased his identity from the world. This could set up a dramatic return in *Avengers: Secret Wars*, where the multiverse is expected to fully collide. Another theory posits that Hulk’s absence ties into a potential *World War Hulk* storyline, with Mark Ruffalo himself teasing in a 2024 interview with Variety that 'there’s more to explore with Bruce Banner.' Fans also speculate that Chris Pratt’s Star-Lord might be sidelined to make room for new cosmic heroes, such as Nova, whose solo project has been in development since 2022. On X, a viral thread with over 50K likes suggested that Marvel is intentionally holding back major heroes to avoid overcrowding *Doomsday*, allowing lesser-known characters like Shang-Chi (Simu Liu) and the new Falcon (Joaquin Torres) to shine. The fanbase is divided—some appreciate the focus on new dynamics, while others feel the absence of Spider-Man and Hulk diminishes the film’s stakes. A poll conducted by IGN in March 2025 found that 62% of 10,000 respondents want Spider-Man to appear in *Doomsday*, even if only in a cameo. As the MCU continues to evolve, these absences highlight Marvel’s bold strategy to balance legacy heroes with fresh faces, setting the stage for an unpredictable multiverse saga.