After Avengers: Doomsday's Cast Included So Many 2025 MCU Movie Stars, I'm Genuinely Baffled Marvel Didn't Confirm Its Newest Black Widow Replacement
Marvel Studios' announcement of Avengers: Doomsday's star-studded cast showcased numerous 2025 MCU movie actors, making it all the more surprising that the MCU timeline’s newest Black Widow is still missing. As Marvel slowly unveiled the impressive lineup for Avengers: Doomsday, viewers took note of the inclusion of multiple stars. However, despite Captain America: Brave New World setting up Ruth Bat-Seraph, also known as Sabra, as a natural successor to Black Widow, actress Shira Haas was nowhere to be found on the list – at least, not yet.
Marvel Studios took an unusual approach to the Avengers: Doomsday cast announcement, revealing 27 cast members over five and a half hours via social media, ensuring each name had time to trend before the next reveal. While it was already revealed that Robert Downey Jr. is returning to the franchise to portray Doctor Doom, many surprises were in store, including a swathe of stars from Marvel’s 2025 releases. However, a notable discrepancy arose: while Thunderbolts had strong representation, very few actors from Captain America: Brave New World made the cut, including Ruth Bat-Seraph.
Captain America: Brave New World Set Up Ruth Bat-Seraph As The Avengers' New Black Widow
The MCU Has Two Possible Black Widows
Shira Haas’s Ruth Bat-Seraph, was introduced in Captain America: Brave New World as a former Black Widow with strong ties to the film’s lead, Sam Wilson. As a highly skilled operative, she was assigned to protect President Thaddeus Ross, who, following his rampage as Red Hulk, is now incarcerated on the Raft. With Ross out of power and Sam actively assembling a new Avengers roster, Ruth would be a logical early recruit as the team’s new Black Widow.
Avengers: Doomsday Casting News Sends Meme Creators Into Overdrive
The MCU’s bizarre drip-feed announcement of its Avengers: Doomsday cast has led, unsurprisingly, to some hilarious memes on the internet.
This is a slight departure from her comic book role as a mutant operating under the codename Sabra. Regardless, her inclusion in Avengers: Doomsday would make more sense than Yelena Belova’s Black Widow due to these connections, particularly after teaming-up with Sam Wilson to help bring down the Leader. Yet Yelena’s Black Widow has been confirmed in Avengers: Doomsday. as part of the Thunderbolts line-up.
Avengers: Doomsday's Cast List Doesn't Include Shira Haas (Yet)
More Avengers: Doomsday Cast Announcements Are Expected
Marvel has emphasized that the Avengers: Doomsday cast reveal isn’t complete. Reports indicate the movie will feature around 50 characters, meaning numerous actors have yet to be announced. This leaves the door open for Shira Haas’ Black Widow to join later. However, it’s also possible that Marvel has decided to move on without her.
Anthony Mackie And Sebastian Stan Reunite AGAIN In 2025 In Marvel’s Avengers: Doomsday Casting Announcement
The MCU has announced the Avengers: Doomsday cast, reuniting a one of the franchise’s most iconic and enduring friendships, which is long-overdue.
Sabra’s traditional depiction as an agent of Mossad, the Israeli intelligence Agency, has been controversial, leading to backlash when the character’s MCU debut was first announced. It led to calls to a boycott in the wake of the Isreal-Hamas war. If Marvel wants to sidestep the controversy, it may exclude Sabra entirely from Avengers: Doomsday. Still, given her connections to Sam Wilson and her established background, it would be surprising if Marvel didn’t at least acknowledge her role in the evolving MCU landscape.
Avengers: Doomsday
- Release Date
- December 18, 2026
- Director
- Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
- Writers
- Stephen McFeely, Michael Waldron, Jack Kirby, Stan Lee
Cast
Thor
Vanessa KirbySue Storm / Invisible Woman
Johnny Storm / Human Torch
Ebon Moss-BachrachBen Grimm / The Thing
