The Marvel Cinematic Universe is beginning not only a new era but a new phase with the release of The Fantastic Four: First Steps on July 25. But even as MCU fans excitedly head to theaters to watch this new edition of the Fantastic Four on the big screen, we all can't help but wonder what's in store for the first big event film of Phase 6, next winter's Avengers: Doomsday.
While we already have a solid idea of which MCU characters will be returning to team up in the upcoming ensemble film, including Robert Downey Jr.'s return as Doctor Doom, there's still a fair amount of chatter about which characters will actually be the leads of the movie. Will the lead be Downey's new character, or perhaps one of the two new leaders of the Avengers?
The answer's still a world away as production forges ahead on Avengers: Doomsday, but a new report suggests a legendary original MCU character and actor could be the "second lead."
Chris Hemsworth's Thor might be second lead in Avengers: Doomsday
According to Games Radar, Chris Hemsworth will be the second leading star as his iconic Marvel Cinematic Universe character Thor. Matthew Belloni, and entertainment journalist, shared some details on a recent episode of The Town podcast that "the second lead is Hemsworth" and that the actor has "a major role." It wouldn't be a surprise of Thor stepped up once again as a leader.
Belloni continued to share why a familiar face from Avengers films past could be potentially taking a second lead position in the upcoming movie: "The expectations are so high for [Avengers: Doomsday], I think they feel they need to have these stars that everybody already knows in these roles to eventize it to that degree." Obviously, fan favorites will definitely sell tickets!
Hemsworth hasn't appeared in a Marvel property as Thor since the character's fourth solo movie, Thor: Love and Thunder, was released in 2022. But his return for Doomsday was confirmed, and he's reportedly already been spotted on set all suited up as the God of Thunder. Again, the rumor of Hemsworth's Thor in the "second lead" position leaves us to wonder who the first lead will be.
Because Downey's return to the MCU after playing Iron Man and Tony Stark for over a decade was such an unexpected move, and an incredibly high profile one at that, fans have naturally wondered if his take on Doctor Doom will be the leading performance in Avengers: Doomsday. There have also been a small handful of other options considered by fans that are also intriguing.
Avengers: Doomsday will feature both casts of the most recent Marvel blockbusters, Thunderbolts* and The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Matt Shakman, the director of First Steps, stated and then walked back that Pedro Pascal's Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic would lead Doomsday. There's also some speculation among fans that the lead could be Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson, the new Captain America, or Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, the new Black Widow assassin.
Sam and Yelena are the new leaders of the Avengers, which would put the characters in prime position to be the leads of the next Avengers movie. No matter who's leading the charge, the fifth installment of the MCU group film series will seemingly mark the largest superhero team-up in the entire MCU yet, as over 30 stars have been confirmed to reprise their characters.
Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters on Dec. 18, 2026.
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