Perhaps attempting to prove that reports of imminent box office demise have been greatly exaggerated, Marvel on Wednesday announced major casting news for its upcoming “Avengers” sequel that both flex the power of its history and set it up for the future.

Despite five hours of streamed casting announcements, there are still several characters and actors fans are surprised won’t be in Avengers: Doomsday. (Read the full Avengers: Doomsday cast roster.) Some we knew about – such as Elizabeth Olsen’s Scarlet Witch and Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange – but the following omissions are notable given the cosmic cross-over nature of what’s shaping up to be an Avengers,

Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen join the sprawling cast of 'Avengers: Doomsday' along with other former X-Men stars.