AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY Stars Florence Pugh and Simu Liu Tease a “Unique” and Star-Studded MCU Experience
Avengers: Doomsday is shaping up to be one of the biggest superhero events of all time. The movie not only brings back fan-favorite heroes but also unites a massive cast that spans across the Marvel Cinematic Universe, including stars from The Fantastic Four, X-Men, Thunderbolts, and Deadpool & Wolverine.
While a lot of attention is on how Robert Downey Jr. will step into his new role as Doctor Doom, the film’s scope and star power are what have everyone talking. And now, Thunderbolts star Florence Pugh has offered fans an exciting tease.
During her appearance on The Louis Theroux Podcast, Pugh reflected on the surreal experience of filming alongside such a stacked cast, saying:
"The other day, I was on set with the most incredible cast, and we’re all dressed in our superhero costumes, and we’re all playing. Like, just playing as if we’re saving the world. It’s just such a unique thing to do."
In Avengers: Doomsday, Pugh’s Yelena Belova reportedly steps into a leadership role alongside Bucky Barnes as part of the “New Avengers.” Concept art leaks even suggest Yelena could later serve in Doctor Doom’s “court” when the Multiverse is reshaped into Battleworld in Avengers: Secret Wars.
Joining her on this epic journey is Simu Liu, whose Shang-Chi will also play a significant part in the story. Speaking with ComicBook, Liu shared his thoughts on joining a cast filled with MCU legends.
"I was just in like quite a large Marvel movie with a lot of these actors, some of whom have been playing the same role for like over 20 years. And I’m stepping into their world.
“I’m stepping into their characters, who they’ve owned and honed and developed for so long. And it’s everything I can do just to like stop myself from shaking."
"But the thought that kind of powers me is this: you’ve still got to show up and you’ve got to try your best. Try your best to get something usable in there and get out of your own way.
“I feel like a lot of times we use impostor syndrome or insecurity as an excuse not to show up. If we can just not make it about ourselves for a second and just focus on the work that you have to do.
What is the objective? What is my objective as this character? Then you just take it a step at a time, and then hopefully when you do it for 40 years, someone will be looking at you and being like 'Holy crap, what I would give to do work like that.'"
I like the enthusiasm! The all-star lineup includes Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Mackie, Winston Duke, Tom Hiddleston, Sebastian Stan, Letitia Wright, Paul Rudd, and Robert Downey Jr., with franchise newcomers Wyatt Russell, Simu Liu, Tenoch Huerta Mejia, Florence Pugh, Danny Ramirez, David Harbour, Hannah John-Kamen, and Lewis Pullman joining the ranks.
The cast also expands into the wider Marvel multiverse, featuring The Fantastic Four: First Steps stars Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn, plus X-Men icons Kelsey Grammer, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming, Rebecca Romijn, and James Marsden. And yes, even Channing Tatum’s Gambit is expected to appear, along with Chris Evans, Hayley Atwell, and Ryan Reynolds.
The film is being directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, reuniting with screenwriter Stephen McFeely after their work on Avengers: Endgame and the Captain America films. Loki and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness writer Michael Waldron is also contributing to the script.
The first trailer for Avengers: Doomsday is expected to drop next month alongside Avatar: Fire and Ash, giving fans their first real look at Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and Downey’s Doctor Doom.
Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters on December 18, 2026, followed by Avengers: Secret Wars on December 17, 2027. Get ready, the next era of the MCU is going to be absolutely massive.