The tenured Marvel Cinematic Universe star has spoken out about his absence from the upcoming Phase Six epic.Credit: Marvel StudiosMarvel Studios’ Avengers: Doomsday (2026) is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious entries in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, though its road to release has already been packed with unexpected twists. The upcoming blockbuster, directed by Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and Avengers: Endgame (2019) filmmakers Anthony and Joe Russo, has shifted away from the Kang-centered story originally planned and is now set to focus on the rise of Doctor Doom, played by Robert Downey Jr. in his highly anticipated return to the MCU.A massive cast lineup revealedBack in May 2025, fans were stunned when a leaked “chair reveal” livestream showcased a sprawling roster of returning heroes and new faces. That announcement confirmed the return of Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes, Paul Rudd as Ant-Man, Simu Liu as Shang-Chi, Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, Tom Hiddleston as Loki, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Kelsey Grammer reprising Beast, and James Marsden stepping back into the role of Cyclops. The lineup also expanded to include the long-awaited return of Marvel’s Fox-era characters, with Ian McKellen as Magneto, Rebecca Romijn as Mystique, Patrick Stewart as Professor X, and Alan Cumming as Nightcrawler.Credit: Marvel StudiosAlongside these confirmations, speculation swirled about other MCU names potentially joining the project, including Brie Larson as Captain Marvel, Karen Gillan as Nebula, Will Poulter as Adam Warlock, Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie, Dominique Thorne as Ironheart, and Xochitl Gomez as America Chavez. While those additions remain unconfirmed, the scale of the cast makes Avengers: Doomsday one of Marvel’s biggest crossovers to date.Surprising exits and early wrap newsIn September 2025, reports revealed that Pedro Pascal, who made his MCU debut as Reed Richards in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, had already wrapped his scenes for Avengers: Doomsday. His early completion does not necessarily mean his role is reduced, but it does suggest his screen time may be more limited compared to other heroes. Shortly after, Alan Cumming confirmed he had finished filming as Nightcrawler, noting that all his stunt work, training, and scenes were officially complete. These developments highlight how fluid the production remains, even as the movie marches toward its release.Credit: Marvel StudiosMark Ruffalo explains his absenceOne of the more surprising omissions from the Avengers: Doomsday cast reveal was Mark Ruffalo, whose Hulk has been a staple of the MCU since 2012’s The Avengers. During a recent appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Ruffalo was asked about his absence and responded with a tongue-in-cheek explanation: “They decided that it was better to get rid of me than for me to tell the end of the next movie.”As Comic Book Movie noted, his comment plays into his long-running reputation as Marvel’s most notorious spoiler risk. Over the years, Ruffalo has slipped up multiple times, from hinting at the ending of Infinity War to accidentally live-streaming part of 2017’s Thor: Ragnarok.Despite not being part of the official cast reveal, Ruffalo is still expected to appear in upcoming MCU projects. He has been confirmed for Destin Daniel Cretton’s Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026), and both Hulk and She-Hulk (Tatiana Maslany) have appeared in leaked concept art tied to Avengers: Doomsday. However, it remains unclear whether that artwork is specifically from Doomsday or the following Avengers: Secret Wars (2027).Credit: Marvel StudiosThe MCU’s bigger pictureThese casting changes and surprises are unfolding against the backdrop of Marvel’s Phase Six. The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025), which kicked off the new slate, debuted to strong opening numbers but dropped significantly in its second weekend, signaling the ongoing challenges Marvel faces in keeping audiences engaged.Still, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige, along with the Russo brothers, has suggested that Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars will act as a reset point for the MCU, ushering in a new era with the X-Men expected to play a central role.Looking aheadWith Doctor Doom positioned as the saga’s next great villain, and a roster that unites some of the biggest names from both the MCU and Fox’s X-Men films, Avengers: Doomsday promises to be a defining chapter for Marvel. Even as actors like Pedro Pascal and Alan Cumming–and likely more–finish their contributions, questions linger about Hulk’s exact role, and the project continues to build anticipation as it reshapes the future of the franchise.Credit: Marvel StudiosThe MCU is on an evolutionary course. With scrapped movies and frequent setbacks, what will the next decade look like for the billion-dollar franchise?How do you feel about Mark Ruffalo being absent from the Avengers: Doomsday lineup? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!The post Original Avenger Actor Speaks Out on ‘Doomsday’ Exclusion appeared first on Inside the Magic.