Halle Berry‘s name was noticeably absent from Marvel’s recent 5-hour reveal of the “Avengers: Doomsday” cast. Despite this, Marvel hinted that further announcements were forthcoming. This was likely on the mind of an Associated Press interviewer who expressed a desire to see Berry’s name in a future announcement. The “Crime 101” actress’s response was clear. Laughing, Berry assured, “Well, keep waiting because it’s not going to be there. It’s not going to be there,” squashing speculations of her involvement in the latest Marvel project.
Berry’s definitive response has sparked debate about whether it should be taken at face value. The history of Marvel PR might be a significant reason for skepticism. Fans recall Andrew Garfield and Charlie Cox denying involvement in 2021’s “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” only for the film to reveal otherwise. This history fuels hope among Berry’s fans for a similar surprise regarding her role as Storm.
Fans find it hard to imagine “Avengers: Doomsday” without Berry, considering the announcement featured Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming, Rebecca Romijn, and James Marsden. Her absence seems unusual given her iconic portrayal of Storm. Interestingly, the character of Storm has already made an appearance in the MCU through the animated series “What If…?” with Alison Sealy-Smith providing the voice, showing Storm wielding Thor’s powers. This only intensifies the anticipation for a live-action version featuring Halle Berry.
Should Berry not join “Avengers: Doomsday,” possibilities remain open for her to appear in “Avengers: Secret Wars” or potential future ventures involving the X-Men in the MCU. While Berry’s exclusion was shocking, she wasn’t the only original X-Men cast member missing from the announcement; Hugh Jackman, Famke Janssen, Anna Paquin, Aaron Stanford, Elliot Page, and Shawn Ashmore were also absent.
Berry first brought Ororo Munroe, also known as Storm, to life in 2000’s “X-Men.” Her character graced the big screen again in 2003’s “X2: X-Men United,” 2006’s “X-Men: The Last Stand,” and returned in 2014’s “X-Men: Days of Future Past.” Alexandra Shipp later took on the role in 2016’s “X-Men: Apocalypse,” 2018’s “Deadpool 2,” and 2019’s “X-Men: Dark Phoenix.”
The lack of confirmation about Berry’s involvement leaves fans oscillating between anticipation and skepticism. Her inclusion could bolster excitement for “Avengers: Doomsday,” but in the absence of her role in upcoming projects, audiences are left speculating on her return to the MCU as Storm. Berry’s influence and legacy as Storm continue to resonate, leaving fans hopeful for any hint of her return in Marvel’s expansive cinematic tapestry.
