In just over a year, Avengers: Doomsday (2026) will hit theaters, signaling what many are expecting to be the climactic chapter of Kevin Feige’s Marvel Cinematic Universe as it currently stands.
After Marvel removed Avengers: The Kang Dynasty from its upcoming schedule due to Jonathan Majors’ (He Who Remains/Kang the Conqueror/Victor Timely) legal issues, the studio quickly reshaped its plans for the Multiverse Saga. The solution came in the form of one of Marvel’s most iconic villains: Victor Von Doom, better known as Doctor Doom.
The announcement came at San Diego Comic-Con 2024, where Feige confirmed that Anthony and Joe Russo, the directors behind Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and Avengers: Endgame (2019), would return to helm Avengers: Doomsday and its follow-up, Avengers: Secret Wars, slated for December 2027. Stephen McFeely was also confirmed as the new writer, replacing the previously attached team of Destin Daniel Cretton and Michael Waldron.
The revelation that truly electrified fans came when Feige confirmed Robert Downey Jr. would return to the MCU—this time stepping into the role of Doctor Doom. Reaction from fans was immediate and polarized. Some celebrated the surprising casting twist, while others criticized the decision for sidelining Doom’s Romani heritage. Questions also arose about whether such a recognizable actor could convincingly inhabit a villain role in the context of the sprawling Multiverse.
Avengers: Doomsday is shaping up to be one of the MCU’s largest ensemble projects yet. Early plot hints suggest the film may revisit one of Endgame’s most emotional moments—Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) and Peggy Carter’s (Hayley Atwell) reunion—which could serve as the catalyst for Doom’s “Battleworld” plan.
The upcoming crossover will merge characters from Marvel Studios and 20th Century Fox’s legacy franchises, further developing the Multiversal connections teased in Shawn Levy’s Deadpool & Wolverine (2024). Among the confirmed ensemble are Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic (Pedro Pascal), Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Professor Charles Xavier/Professor X (Patrick Stewart), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), and Sam Wilson/Captain America (Anthony Mackie).
Avengers Writer Replaced
In an interview with The Wrap, Loki and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022) writer Michael Waldron reflected on his evolving role in the Avengers films. “I was writing the movie after that, but there wasn’t a filmmaker attached yet; I was just involved in all those conversations,” Waldron said. “When that movie went away, I was working on what would become Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars for a time, and then they brought in the Russos and Steve McFeely.”
Once the Russos and McFeely joined the project, Waldron moved from leading the scripts to supporting the creative transition. “As those guys got in and wrapped their hands around what these movies were going to be, and [then] there was an opportunity for me to come back in and get to know Joe and Anthony and Steve and really just help however I could,” he added. “That’s what I’m trying to do is just support them.”
Waldron’s comments underscore his ongoing influence on the Multiverse Saga, this time behind the scenes rather than at the forefront. His continued involvement highlights how integral his storytelling perspective remains to shaping the next Avengers chapter.
First Look at MCU’s Doctor Doom
Though Doom briefly appeared in a post-credits scene in The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025), fans received their first substantial look at the new iteration at the 2026 Merchandise Expo in China. CinXperience (@CinXperience) shared promotional artwork of the character on social media.
While many 20th Century Studios roles retain their original actors, Marvel opted to recast Doctor Doom. Julian McMahon previously portrayed Doom in Fantastic Four (2005) and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007), and Ross Marquand has voiced the character in Marvel’s animated projects.
Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars are not positioned as the conclusion of the Multiverse Saga but as a pivot point for the franchise. The Russos and Feige have teased a new creative direction for the MCU, with Feige indicating a universe-wide “reset” led by the X-Men.
Although details on the X-Men’s MCU debut are still under wraps, fans know that Thunderbolts* (2025) director Jake Schreier will helm their highly anticipated introduction.
How do you feel about the journey to Avengers: Doomsday? Let us know in the comments below!
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