As rumoured today, Marvel Studios had a special annoucement to deliver at 3pm GMT.

At the turn of the hour. a live stream video appeared as someone walked towards the camera and placed a director’s char with Thor star Chris Hemsworth’s name written on the back of it.

And that was it for about 13 minutes until a bell rang and the camera panned out to reveal Mrs Fantastic star Vanessa Kirby’s chair before another 13 minute wait and the Avengers theme played. After a further camera pan, it was Captain America star Anthony Mackie’s name next. And then yet another and it was Winter Soldier Sebastian Stan.

It soon dawned on fans in the incredibly excited YouTube chat that this was the announcement of the cast for Avengers 5, which is set to start shooting in the UK this April.

Avengers Doomsday sees the return of Robert Downey Jr to the MCU, but this time playing Marvel supervillain Doctor Victor von Doom.

The Russo Brothers, who directed Infinity War and Endgame, will direct the superhero blockbuster, which is set for release on May 1, 2026.

Doomsday is being shot back-to-back with Avengers Secret Wars (May 2027), which will conclude the MCU’s Multiverse Saga and kick off the Mutant Saga with a rebooted X-Men.

The full cast announcement is ongoing and taking its time, so check out the live stream above.