Ioan Gruffudd Won't Return for Avengers: Doomsday
The former Fantastic Four star says he will not reprise his Reed Richards role as Marvel's new cast joins the film.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Action/Adventure
Ioan Gruffudd said he will not appear as Reed Richards in Avengers: Doomsday, which is scheduled for release on December 18. Marvel's new Fantastic Four cast, led by Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, will appear in the film instead.
Why it matters
Gruffudd played Reed Richards in two Fox Fantastic Four films, and his exit marks the handoff of the character to the Marvel Cinematic Universe's new team. The decision confirms that the franchise's next chapter will be built around the recast ensemble.
Gruffudd appeared in two Fox Fantastic Four films, the earlier of which came about 20 years before the new cast's debut in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. The source does not provide box office or viewership figures for those films or for Avengers: Doomsday.
The players
Ioan Gruffudd
Welsh actor best known for playing Reed Richards in two Fox Fantastic Four films.
Pedro Pascal
Chilean-American actor who will portray Reed Richards in the Marvel Cinematic Universe's new Fantastic Four lineup.
The details
Gruffudd made the comments in an interview shared on Instagram alongside his partner, Bianca Wallace. He said he prepared for the role by reading the original comic books.
Timeline
2025: The Fantastic Four: First Steps debuts, introducing the new cast.
December 18: Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled for release.
Franchise Continuity
Gruffudd's exit completes the transition from the Fox Fantastic Four films to Marvel Studios' rebooted team introduced in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. The move positions Marvel to fold the new cast into its larger Avengers storyline.
Viewers can see the new Fantastic Four lineup in Avengers: Doomsday when the film opens on December 18. Those who want to see Gruffudd's earlier portrayal can still access the two Fox Fantastic Four films.
The takeaway
The recasting shows Marvel is building its Fantastic Four around a new ensemble rather than carrying over performers from earlier films. Fans tracking the franchise should watch how the new team is integrated into Avengers: Doomsday.
What happens next
Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled for release on December 18, when the new Fantastic Four cast is expected to appear.
Further reading
Explore more Action/Adventure films for context on the superhero franchises shaping this story.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ComingSoon.
