Marvel’s latest live event on X—an hours-long slog of director’s chair reveals—finally wrapped with some legacy crowd-pleasers like Robert Downey Jr. and returning X-Men icons. But buried under the fanfare is a glaring omission that speaks volumes: Brie Larson and her Marvels co-stars were nowhere to be found in the Avengers Doomsday cast.
(L-R): Iman Vellani as Ms. Marvel/Kamala Khan, Brie Larson as Captain Marvel/Carol Danvers, and Teyonah Parris as Captain Monica Rambeau in Marvel Studios’ THE MARVELS. Photo by Laura Radford. ©: Snow White Producer’s Son Confirms Rachel Zegler Controversy, Accuses Zegler of ‘Narcissism’ in Epic Social Media Takedown
Not one chair for Brie Larson (Captain Marvel), Teyonah Parris (Monica Rambeau), or Iman Vellani (Ms. Marvel). Instead, Marvel took the time to highlight characters like Red Guardian, Ghost, and M’Baku—side characters who barely register with general audiences, yet apparently earned their place in Marvel’s future over the trio that headlined The Marvels. That silence is deafening.
It all leads to Doom.#AvengersDoomsday is now in production. pic.twitter.com/rood4csf38
— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) March 26, 2025
The absence of Larson and her co-stars didn’t go unnoticed. While some fans speculated that more names might be added in future announcements, many others took it as a sign of Marvel quietly abandoning ship. After all, The Marvels wasn’t just a minor underperformer—it was a box office disaster. With a reported production budget of $270 million and millions more in marketing, the film barely scraped together $206 million globally—just $84.5 million domestically and $121.6 million internationally. That puts it among the worst-performing MCU films ever made, a stain on the studio’s once-unbreakable record.
Brie Larson as Captain Marvel/Carol Danvers in Marvel Studios’ THE MARVELS. Photo by Laura Radford. © 2023 MARVEL.
It’s not just the numbers. It’s the trajectory. The Marvels suffered one of the steepest second-weekend drops in franchise history, signaling disinterest and negative word-of-mouth. The film’s tone, pacing, and incoherent plot were widely criticized, and its rushed production timeline became an open secret. Even Marvel loyalists admitted the film felt like a product of obligation rather than inspiration.
Then there’s the Brie Larson factor.
Since her debut in Captain Marvel, Larson has been one of the most polarizing figures in the history of the MCU. Her press appearances were often marked by condescension and divisive remarks. She infamously stated she was tired of seeing “white men” reviewing her films, arguing that the industry needed more diverse voices. While some saw this as a push for inclusivity, many longtime fans saw it as an unprovoked attack on the franchise’s core audience.
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Lashana Lynch as Maria Rambeau and Brie Larson as Carol Danvers in Captain Marvel (2019), Marvel StudiosLarson’s comments didn’t stop there. Her activism-heavy approach to Hollywood has consistently bled into her public persona, often coming off as lecturing rather than leading. Even her Marvel co-stars appeared visibly uncomfortable during press junkets, with multiple viral compilations showing awkward interactions between Larson, Chris Hemsworth, and Don Cheadle.
Instead of rallying the fanbase, Larson fractured it. Rather than embracing the role as a beloved hero, she seemed more focused on using the platform for cultural messaging—messages many fans didn’t sign up for when buying tickets to superhero films. This rift has never healed and Larson has become something of a poster child for what many online critics call the “M-SHE-U.”
Marvel, for a time, doubled down. They pushed Captain Marvel as a key piece of the Avengers’ future, perhaps emboldened by the strong box office performance of Captain Marvel. However, many attribute that box office take to the movie being hyped in the post-credit scene of Avengers Infinity War following the major cliffhanger ending.
Teyonah Parris as Captain Monica Rambeau in Marvel Studios’ THE MARVELS. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. © 2023 MARVEL.
Still, Captain Marvel was billed as the most powerful hero in the MCU. She was meant to be the new Tony Stark and lead the team into the future. But audiences never connected with her the same way. Merchandise didn’t sell. Fan enthusiasm flatlined. And now, it seems, Marvel may finally be acknowledging that reality and leaving Brie Larson out of Avengers Doomsday.
The latest rollout didn’t just exclude Larson—it actively prioritized lesser-known characters over her. Red Guardian? Ghost? Even M’Baku, a side player from Black Panther, made the cut. Meanwhile, Carol Danvers, who was once teased as the savior of the MCU’s next phase, didn’t even get a seat. That’s not a coincidence. That’s a signal.
To be fair, Marvel hasn’t made any official statements about Larson’s future. This could all be a temporary shift, or perhaps they’re simply saving her for Secret Wars. But for now, Larson’s critics are breathing a long-overdue sigh of relief. For years, they’ve argued that her casting, tone, and approach were out of sync with what fans wanted. And for the first time, it looks like Marvel may agree.
(L-R): Brie Larson as Captain Marvel/Carol Danvers and Iman Vellani as Ms. Marvel/Kamala Khan in Marvel Studios’ THE MARVELS. Photo by Laura Radford. © 2023 MARVEL.
There’s a lesson here about hubris. About listening to the audience. About knowing when a course correction is needed. Marvel built its empire by understanding its fans and delivering characters they could rally behind. With Brie Larson and The Marvels, that connection was never there. And if this event is any indication, Marvel might be ready to move on.
Whether they officially announce a recast, quietly retire the character, or simply minimize her presence going forward, the writing is on the wall.
Do you think Brie Larson will be in Avengers Doomsday? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
