Even with the massive cast assembled for Avengers: Doomsday, it was inevitable that not every major character would return. Last March, during Marvel’s live cast reveal stream, several notable names were missing. Among those not mentioned was Evangeline Lilly, who played Hope van Dyne/Wasp in the three Ant-Man films. According to the X account The Beyond Reporter, her character will die offscreen.
🚨 RUMOR
Wasp Is Set To Die Off-Screen in Avengers: Doomsday. pic.twitter.com/4wwSF2jhjL
— The Beyond Reporter (@BeyondReporter) January 6, 2026
While any scoop should be viewed with skepticism, as they tend to be hit or miss, the surrounding circumstances add weight to this particular rumor.
Evangeline Lilly Steps Back from Acting
Last May, Lilly revealed that she had suffered a traumatic brain injury resulting from a concussion after a fall. Shortly afterward, she said she was stepping away from acting. She added in a statement to Variety that she was under no contractual obligations and was devoting her time to writing and humanitarian work.
Evangeline Lilly in the trailer for Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania – Marvel Entertainment, YouTube
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However, in a video recorded on January 1st and posted to social media, she revealed that recent scans show that almost every area of her brain “is functioning at a decreased capacity.”
Given the timing of events, it’s unclear if directors Joe and Anthony Russo had originally intended for Wasp to appear in Doomsday. Not every character in the film was revealed last spring. Regardless, the decision to have Wasp die rather than recast the character is a choice that will likely divide fans.
Recasting vs. Replacing Characters in the MCU
Marvel has recast characters in the MCU over its nearly two decades. The first and most notable example was Don Cheadle taking over the role of Col. James “Rhodey” Rhodes/War Machine from Terrence Howard for unspecified reasons. Bruce Banner/the Hulk was originally played by Edward Norton before Mark Ruffalo replaced him in The Avengers.
Other examples exist, but they are rare. For the most part, Marvel has been successful in sticking with its original castings.
After Chadwick Boseman’s shocking death in 2020, Marvel decided to have T’Challa/Black Panther die offscreen. The decision not to recast the hero has remained one of Marvel’s lingering criticisms, especially since the character was a fairly new addition to the MCU. In 2022’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, T’Challa’s sister, Shuri (Letitia Wright) took the mantle of Black Panther.
Chadwick Boseman as Black Panther in Black Panther – Disney+
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It’s possible that while Hope van Dyne may die before the events of Doomsday, should Disney decide to make a fourth Ant-Man movie, a new character could take over as Wasp. But as things currently stand, the only Ant-Man character confirmed for Doomsday is Paul Rudd’s Scott Lang/Ant-Man.
Little is known about the plot of Doomsday. It will be interesting to see if other characters not appearing in the film suffered the same fate, and if this ties into the story in some way.
Uncertain Fates for Other Heroes
Other noteworthy omissions from the Doomsday cast include the Hulk, Hawkeye, Captain Marvel, and any of the Guardians of the Galaxy. Some of these characters may be held in reserve for Avengers: Secret Wars. But if the rumors are true, and the story requires that Wasp and others die before the events of the film, every character’s fate is uncertain.
Cyclops releasing his optic blast in the Avengers: Doomsday trailer – Marvel Entertainment, YouTube
With Doomsday set to launch a new era in the MCU, fans will have plenty to consider while waiting for the film’s December 18, 2026 release.
How do you think Disney will handle Evangeline Lilly’s retirement? Should Wasp die offscreen? Let us know in the comments!
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I don’t wish any ill on Ms. Lilly. My wife is going through similar medical issues. But I don’t really care that the Wasp is dying offscreen. Frankly, I can’t really muster much emotion about Endgame and Infinity War at all… I mean, Doomsday and Secret Wars.
Because let’s face it, if Doomsday is really “Kill the MCU” and Secret Wars really is “Bring everyone back.” Or bring back new versions of the same characters, than it really is just a redux of those two previous films. It’s giving off big The Force Awakens energy all over again.
I feel sad. Not that about the movie it self, but over the fact that I can’t muster any emotion one way or the other. Marvel Phases 1 – 3 were very enjoyable. The fact that phases 4 & 5 have driven me to such apathy is… Lamentable and a bit sad.
Endgame should’ve been just that. The end.
I’m with you. It all sounds awful now.
She was never really the Wasp anyway.
“almost every area of her brain “is functioning at a decreased capacity.”
So? This is normal for a Hollywood actress.
Is it just me, or is RDJ coming over as unlikeable and creepy in that trailer? It’s just so offputting.
As for Antman Quantum mania, that movie was a total joke. I totally forgot about this pointless wasp woman.