Marvel released three feature films this year that, in some ways, big or small, began to set the stage for the next Avengers film: Avengers: Doomsday. The cast reveal of having a camera slowly pan down the row of actors and actresses' chairs, ending with Robert Downey Jr., was nothing short of brilliant, marking the beginning of fan theories and discussion.
The cast is stacked, from recent additions like stars of The Fantastic Four to characters that spurred the 2000s expansion of live-action comic adaptations like the stars of X-Men. It is the variety of characters that has us puzzled as to what the Marvel Cinematic Universe has planned for the franchise.
Alternate universes have already been toyed with, most memorably in Deadpool & Wolverine. And we're likely going to see plenty of that again. But who are we most looking forward to seeing. Amongst the cast, we are choosing the eight characters we are most excited to see back on our screens in Avengers: Doomsday.
1. Franklin Richards
Baby Franklin Richards stole hearts from audiences and became the one thing Galactus desired in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Perhaps one of the most powerful characters in the Marvel Universe, our superhero family does everything possible to protect him and Earth from the Devourer of Worlds.
Franklin's powers remained unknown to the family until it was he who literally brought his dead mother Sue Storm back to life. How?
We don't know. During the end credits of the film, we have a four-year time jump where Sue and Franklin meet Doctor Doom for the first time. Although Doctor Doom's face remains hidden, it's evident he has taken an interest in Franklin, much to Sue's horror. While it's rumored Franklin will be in the film, we are holding onto hope that it's true.
What powers does he possess? What is his personality like? How has he adapted to living a life with superpowers? And is he the key to The Fantastic Four arriving in our current timeline?
2. Bob
Bob is probably the best character in Thunderbolts* and one of the most powerful characters in Marvel. The character, who becomes the superhero known as The Sentry, was an interesting juxtaposition compared to the deadly, stubborn, unpredictable Thunderbolts consisting of Yelena, The Red Guardian, Bucky Barnes, Ghost, and John Walker.
His initial introduction is peculiar as he comes off awkward but likable. However, he's far from any ordinary human, with powers and an uncontrollable alter ego (a.k.a. The Void), thanks to experimentation to create the ultimate superhero.
Although he loses his powers by the end of the film, it's hinted that the Void could return. We're willing to bet it will in Doomsday and that he may become a key interest for Dr. Doom.
We'd like to see what Bob's role has become and what he may be able to do to aid his friends.
3. Doctor Doom
We couldn't have this list without including Marvel's new bad guy: Victor von Doom. After decidedly changing direction from Kang the Conqueror, it was unveiled that Doctor Doom would be the next foe our heroes needed to defeat.
His arrival occurs during the end credits of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, where Sue discovers him with Franklin, face hidden under a hood turned away from view. It is the mere fact that there is so much we do not know about him that has fans buzzing.
Will this iteration be more accurate to the comic books? Why and how did he manage to find Franklin? How does he arrive to the current Marvel timeline from Earth-828? That is just a sample of questions we'd love to have answered.
4. Loki
Loki has undergone quite the character evolution since his first appearance as Thor's adoptive brother in Thor. What began as a betrayal (learning of his true origins too little too late, and denial of the throne) from his adoptive father, Odin, morphed into him leading an invasion of Earth beginning in New York City in the first Avengers film.
His charisma, intelligence, humor, and persistence to become a feared ruler never waned until he got his own television show Loki. It is here we learn of the existence of different timelines, variants, and how it is the TVA's duty to keep the flow of the Sacred Timeline stable.
But when He Who Remains (the ruler of time) is killed, thus destroying every timeline, Loki makes the ultimate sacrifice to fill that position, destined to be alone forever. But this is one variant of Loki, not the same Loki audiences witnessed die in Avengers: Infinity War.
So then, which Loki is in Doomsday? Will our heroes learn that Loki is the new keeper of time? How involved will he be in the film? Is he also a key Doctor Doom needs for his ultimate plan?
5. Mystique
Mystique can be broken down into two versions: the one who was a deadly mutant working as an ally of Magneto's, and the one who is a deadly mutant who struggles to find her path. For Avengers: Doomsday, it is the first Mystique played by Rebecca Romijn who will be returning.
Out of all the mutants from the X-Men listed, we chose her and one other mutant for our list. So why Mystique and not Charles Xavier or Magneto?
Well, because we want to know the first Mystique on a level that the second Mystique (Jennifer Lawrence) tried to fill. We believe there is more depth to her character outside of being Magneto's sole ally.
Perhaps her past will remain similar to what we've seen in the countless X-Men prequel films, but we think there is more to discover and learn of her.
6. Sue Storm
Sue Storm's amazing display to save her child and defeat Galactus at the end of The Fantastic Four: First Steps makes us excited to see how far she has come in Avengers: Doomsday. Her ability to turn invisible and create force fields destroyed expectations when she seemingly tapped into her powers in ways no one saw coming.
She used her powers to the point of dying, but was thankfully brought back to life by baby Franklin. That said, we have no idea how much more powerful she has become since then.
How has returning to life changed her? Has she become someone completely new?
She still has her powers, considering she was able to use them when she found Doctor Doom sitting with her child. But we can't believe she's still the same woman.
7. The Falcon
When Sam Wilson stepped up to be the new Captain America, Joaquin Torres became the new Falcon. His buddy relationship with Wilson and his adjustment to becoming a new superhero took center stage in Captain America: Brave New World.
He was young, a little brash, overconfident, but wore the Falcon wings with pride and dedication. Audiences spent years getting to know Wilson, who has also been adjusting to taking up such a large mantle from a true American icon.
But now we'd like to see Torres shine, especially after sustaining horrific injuries at the end of the film. After dealing first-hand with events he might not have been ready for, it will be time for him to take the role more seriously.
8. Cyclops
Last but not least, we have X-Men mutant Cyclops, played by James Marsden. Tye Sheridan did a fantastic job playing the leader of the team under Charles Xavier in the prequel films, but Marsden's role was cut unfairly short in the original X-Men trilogy, and thus, we need answers.
Marsden's Cyclops constantly butted heads with Wolverine over Jean Grey. She was always romantically tied to Cyclops (Scott Summers), but there was always this lingering doubt once Wolverine (Logan) came into the picture.
It was heartbreaking when Jean Grey sacrificed herself to save the team in X2, but there was a suggestion she'd return as the Phoenix. And when she did in X-Men: The Last Stand, one of the first things she did, accidentally or unwillingly, was kill the man she loved most, Scott.
A bad taste was left in the audience's mouths to see Scott killed off rather early, and by Jean of all people. So, will Scott meet his demise against in Avengers: Doomsday or will something or someone change his fate?
The theories are endless!
Avengers: Doomsday arrives in theaters on December 18, 2026.