10 MCU Characters Who Are Skipping Infinity War

If you thought Captain America: Civil War was a big deal, you ain't seen nothing yet. Anthony and Joe Russo’s incoming cosmic juggernaut Avengers: Infinity War promises to dwarf the superhero showdown with a character roster that almost reads like a who's who of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Earth's Mightiest Heroes will team up with the Guardians of the Galaxy and numerous other allies when the Mad Titan and his Black Order threatens Earth. Even supporting characters from the previous films, like Happy Hogan and Okoye, will be out in force.

Despite reports that Infinity War includes over 76 characters, there are glaring omissions from its lineup. A few of the MCU's major players are missing in action, while others won't join the fight until next year's mysteriously untitled Avengers 4.

On top of the list of confirmed characters and absentees, a handful more are rumoured to be making shock cameos. Reports have tipped everyone from Liv Tyler's Betty Ross to the Red Skull to make surprise appearances, and while neither of those seems likely, they haven't been officially ruled out.

Perhaps most surprising of all, though, are the major characters who Marvel could have included that won't be playing any part in the battle against Thanos.

The Avengers could really use her unique skill set when Thanos comes to town, but there are no signs than Brie Larson's Captain Marvel will be making her Marvel Cinematic Universe debut in Infinity War.

In story terms, Carol Danvers theoretically exists in the MCU, given that her upcoming solo film will be set during the 1990s, but Infinity War co-director Joe Russo has addressed those persistent rumours that she'll be involved in the third Avengers.

"She's not in Avengers 3," he told ComicBook.com when quizzed on the possibility of Captain Marvel fighting in the Infinity War. Marvel, of course, could always change its plans late in the day and give Larson a fleeting appearance via reshoots, though there's no evidence to suggest they're doing that.

The House of M had the opportunity to throw Danvers into the mix in Infinity War, but her MCU debut is expected to come in her 2019 solo film, which hits two months before Avengers 4, a movie she will have a major role in.

Since Captain Marvel takes place in the '90s, this begs the question of how she finds herself fighting alongside the Avengers. Mounting evidence suggests time travel may have something to do with that, as set leaks from Avengers 4 have shown the cast revisiting earlier events on the MCU timeline, such as the Battle of New York.

Perhaps Avengers 4 will see what's left of the good guys journeying back in time to recruit heroes who can help them undo Thanos's Infinity Gauntlet-powered meddling.