In just over a year, Avengers: Doomsday (2026) will land in theaters, setting the stage for what Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has described as the beginning of the end for the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The film arrives after a significant pivot. Marvel originally planned to move forward with Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, but following the allegations and sentencing of Jonathan Majors (He Who Remains/Kang the Conqueror/Victor Timely), the studio turned toward one of Marvel Comics’ most iconic villains: Victor Von Doom, better known as Doctor Doom.
Feige revealed the change during San Diego Comic-Con 2024, announcing that Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and Avengers: Endgame (2019) directors Anthony and Joe Russo will return to direct Avengers: Doomsday as well as its sequel, Avengers: Secret Wars, scheduled for December 2027.
Perhaps the most surprising development came with the reveal that Robert Downey Jr., synonymous with Tony Stark/Iron Man, will take on the role of Doom. The casting decision sparked intense discussion. While many fans were thrilled to see Downey back, others voiced concerns about losing Doom’s Romani heritage and the risks of placing such a familiar face in a new role during the Multiverse Saga.
Avengers: Doomsday is positioned to be one of the MCU’s largest crossover spectacles yet. Reports indicate the story may revisit a defining moment from Endgame—Steve Rogers’ (Chris Evans) reunion with Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell)—with speculation suggesting this moment could be the spark that sets Doctor Doom’s Battleworld plan into motion.
The ensemble lineup extends beyond the established MCU, pulling in characters from the 20th Century Fox/Studios universe. The roster includes 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).
Fans got a small tease of Doom in the post-credits scene of The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025), but a clearer look emerged at the 2026 Merchandise Expo in China. CinXperience (@CinXperience) posted:
“First Look at Promotional Art for Doctor Doom in ‘AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY’.
Displayed at the Disney 2026 Merchandise Expo in China.
#AvengersDoomsday hits Theaters December 18, 2026!”
First Look at Promotional Art for Doctor Doom in ‘AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY’.
Displayed at the Disney 2026 Merchandise Expo in China.#AvengersDoomsday hits Theaters December 18, 2026! pic.twitter.com/yRFqVpjgCa
— CinXperience (@CinXperience) September 11, 2025
Unlike other legacy characters who carried over with their Fox actors, Marvel chose to recast Doom. The role was previously played by the late Julian McMahon in 2005’s Fantastic Four and its 2007 sequel, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. In animation, Ross Marquand has voiced the villain across Marvel television projects.
Though Doomsday and Secret Wars won’t conclude the Multiverse Saga in the same way Endgame ended the Infinity Saga, both Feige and the Russo brothers describe them as the launchpad for the MCU’s next era. Feige has even hinted at a looming “reset,” led by the long-awaited arrival of the X-Men.
Marvel remains secretive about exactly how the X-Men will enter the MCU, but fans do know that Thunderbolts* (2025) director Jake Schreier will helm their first outing.
How do you feel about this new take on Doctor Doom in the MCU? Let us know in the comments down below!
