Three Marvel Stars Confirm They're Out of Avengers: Doomsday
While dozens of actors return for the massive superhero blockbuster, three familiar faces from the MCU have publicly ruled out their participation in the highly anticipated film.
The upcoming Avengers: Doomsday won't feature three familiar faces from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, despite the film's massive cast roster. Idris Elba, Wunmi Mosaku, and Martin Freeman have all confirmed they won't be returning to their respective roles.
The superhero epic boasts an impressive lineup revealed in a record-breaking announcement video last spring. Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Vanessa Kirby, Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Mackie, Florence Pugh, Letitia Wright, David Harbour, Patrick Stewart, Alan Cumming, James Marsden, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Paul Rudd, Rebecca Romijn, and Pedro Pascal all made the cut. Some characters will appear in secret cameos, but Heimdall, Hunter B-15, and Everett K. Ross are officially out.
BBC Talk Show Reveals Absence
The trio appeared together on BBC's The Graham Norton Show, where the host asked directly about their involvement. "Are any of you in the new fancy one, that everyone's in?" Norton inquired. Freeman responded with a laugh, "Apparently not, not everyone..." Norton quickly corrected himself: "That most people are in!"
Mosaku, who recently reprised her Time Variance Authority leader role in Deadpool & Wolverine, jokingly called the exclusion "Rude!" Elba pointed out the obvious obstacle for his character's return. Thanos killed Heimdall, the Bifröst protector, during Avengers: Infinity War in 2018.
The multiverse setting of Doomsday could technically allow Heimdall's return as a variant. Tom Hiddleston's Loki followed this exact path after his identical Infinity War death. Hunter B-15 and Ross face different circumstances, though their relevance to the massive cosmic conflict remains questionable.
Freeman's Realistic MCU Expectations
During Secret Invasion promotion, Freeman shared his pragmatic approach to Marvel future planning. The 54-year-old actor told Collider he maintains zero expectations about continued MCU involvement.
Ross first appeared in Captain America: Civil War as Deputy Task Force Commander of the Joint Counterterrorism Center. He returned for Black Panther and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, but hasn't appeared in theatrical releases since. His last MCU appearance was in the Disney+ series Secret Invasion.
"I never think I've got a future in the MCU. I always assume I haven't, which is the safest M.O. I think it's the safest thing, given that I'm not one of the A-team in the MCU. I'm definitely on the subs bench. I'm a good little substitute. I can come on when needed, for about five minutes at the end of the game. I'm not assuming anything, that I have a future in the MCU. But whenever it happens, it's a lovely bonus."