Here's Why Tom Holland and Chris Pratt Are Not Expected to Appear in AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY
Marvel fans were in for a rollercoaster of emotions during the Avengers: Doomsday cast reveal yesterday. While we got confirmation on some major players, two glaring omissions stood out with Tom Holland’s Spider-Man and Chris Pratt’s Star-Lord.
A new report sheds light on why neither actor is expected to appear, and the reasons are more logistical than narrative… at least for now.
With Avengers: Doomsday in production, casting details are still in flux. According to insider Jeff Sneider, the script isn’t completely locked because "some of the actors in Marvel's massive stable are still figuring out their summer shooting schedules."
For Pratt, it all comes down to timing. The report explains that he’s committed to filming Season 2 of The Terminal List for Prime Video, which clashes with Doomsday’s production schedule. There’s still a slim chance he could make an appearance, but only if the timing works out.
Sneider explains: "However, if the Russos can catch him at the tail end of shooting, he might be able to swing it—it just depends on a variety of factors. But if Marvel needs to proceed without him, it is more than prepared to do so."
That sounds like Marvel isn’t betting on his return, though they’re leaving the door open if schedules align.
As for Tom Holland, he has a busy slate with The Odyssey and Spider-Man 4, his absence from Avengers: Doomsday is also about where Peter Parker fits into the story.
According to Sneider, "Spider-Man 4 supposedly takes place at the same time as the next Avengers movie." If that’s the case, Peter Parker might be caught up in his own street-level crisis while the Avengers are off dealing with Doctor Doom.
This could actually be a great move for Marvel. Instead of pulling Spider-Man into another multiversal conflict, they can use Spider-Man 4 to tell a grounded, New York-based story while subtly tying it into the larger events of Doomsday.
If Marvel plays this right, we could see Spider-Man 4’s final act feed directly into Doomsday, setting up Peter’s involvement in future Avengers battles, like in Secret Wars, without forcing him into the main plot too soon.
Avengers: Doomsday is shaping up to be a major turning point for the MCU, and while some fans will be dissappointed about the absence of Holland and Pratt , it could also mean a more focused, strategic approach to storytelling.
Marvel has already teased more casting announcements on the way, so things could still change. But for now, don’t expect to see Star-Lord or Spider-Man suiting up alongside Earth’s Mightiest Heroes in 2026.
Avengers: Doomsday is set to hit theaters in May 2026, followed by Avengers: Secret Wars in May 2027.