‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ Star Xochitl Gomez Says Marvel Fame Cost Her Other Roles
Landing a Marvel role is usually seen as the ultimate career boost, but Xochitl Gomez says her experience was more complicated. The actor broke out as America Chavez in ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’, a role that put her in front of a massive global audience. Now she’s opening up about how that big break affected what came next.
Gomez’s path to Marvel started early. She made her on-screen debut in Disney Channel’s ‘Raven’s Home’ in 2018 and led one season of Netflix’s ‘The Baby-Sitters Club’ before jumping to the Marvel Cinematic Universe at age 16 as America Chavez in ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.’ The film made almost $700 million in its first two weekends, putting a largely unknown face in front of a massive global audience.
The MCU spotlight didn’t lead to the flood of offers fans might expect. “After that, I had a hard time getting roles because they were like, ‘She’s too expensive. What if she’s in this and that, her schedule?’ And I’m like, ‘Guys…'” Gomez told Bustle. “It was a gift and a curse because I was like, ‘Wait, I want to do the cool indie movies. Give me a chance, guys.'”
The irony is that her Marvel schedule never filled up. America Chavez hasn’t appeared in any MCU project since 2022, even though the character’s portrayal was generally well received. So far, that has been Gomez’s only live-action appearance in the MCU, and it isn’t clear when or if she will return.
That makes her situation especially frustrating. Casting teams assumed she was tied up with Marvel commitments that never actually materialized. The perception alone appears to have cost her opportunities.
Xochitl Gomez says she struggled to find work after joining the #MCU because everyone assumed she was busy, then her character never returned. “I had a hard time getting roles because they were like, ‘She’s too expensive. What if she’s in this and that, her schedule?’ … I was like, ‘Wait, I want to do the cool indie movies. Give me a chance, guys.’” (via https://t.co/ocxAP51Q0d)
— Cosmic Marvel (@cosmic_marvel) November 12, 2026
Gomez also reflected on what it was like to join the franchise in the first place. She said joining the MCU was scary and frightening, but she was working with people she looked up to.
Fans have been trying to answer that question for more than a year. In an interview with ET Online during the film’s production, Gomez described America using the words bravery, courage, and powerful, and many fans took it as confirmation of her return. She also said she had to stay very tight-lipped.
However, she still isn’t officially part of the film. Gomez wasn’t listed among the announced cast members for ‘Avengers: Doomsday’. Scooper MyTimeToShineHello has also claimed that America might not have a role in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ or ‘Secret Wars’, though Marvel Studios hasn’t confirmed anything.
Infinite madness. Endless chaos. Welcome to the Multiverse. Watch the latest trailer for Marvel Studios’ Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. In cinemas May 2022. https://t.co/ddE3ihdI71
— Marvel Studios Philippines (@marvelstudiosph) February 14, 2022
In the new interview, Gomez kept the door open. She noted that Marvel owns the rights to her image, so a return is possible. She also said she’d like to see how Chavez uses her powers now, and how close she and Wong have become.
Despite the early setbacks, Gomez has kept busy. She now voices Gabby in the animated film ‘The Cat in the Hat’, which reached theaters on November 6, with America Ferrera playing her onscreen mom and Bill Hader voicing the Cat. She is also set to star with Maite Perroni in a new movie musical, ‘No Te Olvides’, from ‘High School Musical: The Musical: The Series’ director Kimberly McCullough.
Her comments highlight a lesser-discussed side of franchise fame. As one analysis put it, the assumption that a young actor is too pricey or too busy can do real damage while they’re still trying to prove their range.
For now, America Chavez fans will have to wait and see whether Marvel finally brings the multiverse-hopping hero back. With ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ opening on December 18, the answer may not be far away.
Would you like to see Xochitl Gomez return as America Chavez in the MCU?
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