Avengers: Doomsday Leaves Out Key Heroes Including Hulk and Spider-Man

Avengers: Doomsday is shaping up to be one of Marvel Studios’ most ambitious team-ups yet, pulling together familiar Avengers and long-awaited Fox X-Men characters. But despite the expanded roster, several iconic heroes—and fan favorites—are missing from the lineup, most notably Spider-Man, Captain Marvel, and Hulk. The film is set to hit theaters on December 18, but speculation is already swirling about the absence of these characters and how the story will handle it on-screen.

Who’s In and Out for Avengers: Doomsday

While Thor and a returning Steve Rogers are the only original Avengers confirmed for the cast, the fate of the rest of the first team remains uncertain. Black Widow and Iron Man are dead, and Hawkeye’s status is currently unknown. Notably absent are Spider-Man and Captain Marvel, with no hints yet as to why they aren’t included. The film does look to give closure to the Fox X-Men, as Doomsday is being framed as a multiverse-ending story, but other beloved characters are left off the roster.

A major talking point for fans is the absence of Bruce Banner/Hulk—a role portrayed by Mark Ruffalo since the early days of the MCU. The events of Spider-Man: Brand New Day could offer some explanation. Banner appears in that film to help Peter Parker with his own powers’ unwanted changes, but when an inhibitor controlling Hulk is broken, the unleashed Savage Hulk proves uncontrollable—even for Jean Grey. The movie concludes with Bruce being committed to a psych hospital, potentially under the Department of Damage Control. This sad outcome may justify his omission from Doomsday, but fans will be watching to see if the movie acknowledges his whereabouts at all.

What the Story Needs to Address

With trailer footage highlighting Thor’s deep concern over Doctor Doom as a new, greater threat, the vacant spaces on the Avengers bench feel even more significant. Hulk has always been a heavy hitter and key ally, and it seems odd that Thor (or the script) would ignore Bruce’s contributions—either as the Hulk or as a scientist, especially when the stakes have never been higher. Even if Ruffalo doesn’t appear, viewers hope for at least a nod to both Bruce’s and Hulk’s situation, setting up possible future stories or a bigger comeback in upcoming crossover films.

Are you surprised by who made the cut for Avengers: Doomsday? Which hero’s absence hits hardest? Let us know on our socials!