Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has confirmed that major characters like Iron Man (Tony Stark), Captain America (Steve Rogers), and the X-Men will be recast after the 2027 movie Avengers: Secret Wars. This move is part of a planned “reset” for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), not a full reboot. The changes will introduce new actors for these iconic roles while keeping the MCU’s continuity intact.
Feige explained that Avengers: Secret Wars will serve as a fresh start for the MCU, similar to how comic book storylines evolve. The film will merge different timelines, allowing new versions of characters to emerge. The first major recasting will happen with the X-Men, who will get a younger cast in their upcoming MCU movie.
Marvel’s Plan for a “Reset” Instead of a Reboot
Kevin Feige made it clear that Marvel is not rebooting the MCU but rather resetting it after Avengers: Secret Wars. He compared this to how comic books refresh storylines without erasing past events.
“Reboot is a scary word. Reboot can mean a lot of things to a lot of people. Reset, singular timeline—we’re thinking along those lines. X-Men is where that will happen next.”
The 2015 Secret Wars comics inspired this approach. In that story, multiple timelines collapse and merge, creating a new status quo. The MCU will use a similar idea to introduce new versions of characters while keeping the existing universe connected.
X-Men Recasting with a Younger Cast
The X-Men will be the first major team to get a full recast. While actors like Patrick Stewart (Professor X) and Ian McKellen (Magneto) will return for Avengers: Doomsday (2026), their roles will later be taken over by new actors. The upcoming X-Men movie, directed by Jake Schreier (Thunderbolts*), will focus on younger mutants.
Feige said the new X-Men film will stay true to the comics by telling stories about young outsiders.
“They have been a place to tell stories about young people who feel different and who feel Other and who feel like they don’t belong. That’s the universal story of mutants, and that is where we’re going.”
Rumors suggest Sadie Sink (Stranger Things) may play Jean Grey in the new lineup, but no official casting has been confirmed yet.
Iron Man and Captain America Will Return with New Actors
Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans left their roles as Iron Man and Captain America after Avengers: Endgame (2019). However, Feige confirmed that these characters will return in future MCU projects with different actors.
He compared the recasting to how other franchises like James Bond and Superman have introduced new actors over time.
“Amy Pascal and David Heyman are now searching for a new James Bond. David [Corenswet], the new Superman—he was awesome. That will always be the case.”
While fans may find it hard to imagine new actors in these roles, Feige believes it’s necessary for the MCU’s future.
“I think it’s hard for anybody to do that when an actor has done such a great role. How are they going to ever replace Sean Connery [as James Bond], right?”
Robert Downey Jr. Returning as Doctor Doom
Before the recasting happens, Robert Downey Jr. will return to the MCU—but not as Iron Man. He will play the villain Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday (2026) and Avengers: Secret Wars (2027).
This casting surprised fans, but Feige hinted that Downey’s return as a different character shows how the multiverse allows for creative storytelling.
What This Means for the MCU’s Future
The post-Secret Wars MCU will have a streamlined timeline with new actors playing classic roles. However, current heroes like Sam Wilson (Captain America) and Riri Williams (Ironheart) will continue alongside recast versions of Steve Rogers and Tony Stark.
Feige also teased that Ryan Reynolds (Deadpool) and Hugh Jackman (Wolverine) might return after Deadpool & Wolverine (2024).
“I think there is more fun to be had with both of those characters. But we’ll see where.”
Marvel’s plan ensures that beloved characters remain in the MCU while allowing fresh storytelling opportunities. The studio aims to balance nostalgia with new beginnings, keeping fans engaged for years to come.
Also read: Marvel’s Fantastic Four: First Steps Cast and Characters Revealed Ahead of 2025 Release
Credits: Sources include Variety, Hypebeast, Forbes, Screen Rant, and The Independent.
