Marvel has a history of keeping secrets close to the chest, but sometimes things slip through the cracks. A slip in a recent interview seems to confirm Robert Downey Jr.’s role and scenes with unexpected allies in Avengers: Doomsday. The big takeaway?
RDJ isn’t just coming back to the MCU—he’s doing it in a way no one expected. And he won’t be alone. Alongside Robert Downey Jr., a lineup of familiar Avengers and long-awaited newcomers could make this film the most jam-packed Marvel entry yet.
Stacking the Roster
The Avengers themselves are already returning in force. Sam Wilson is stepping firmly into the Captain America role, and his leadership style brings a grounded, human element to the group. Thor’s godlike power and experience will likely remain vital, though fans are curious about his mindset following his last adventure.
Doctor Strange is expected to play a key role in the story, and his command over the Multiverse possibly explains how characters from outside the Avengers roster are drawn in.
Of course, no modern Avengers film feels complete without the likes of Ant-Man and Shuri’s Black Panther, whose scientific genius and quantum tricks may be pivotal. Then there’s Captain Marvel, who is still one of the heaviest hitters in the MCU. Loki’s presence is also rumored, adding a dangerous—but potentially crucial—wildcard.
Enter the Teams
While the Avengers form the backbone, the movie’s ambition comes from who else joins the fight. The Thunderbolts, Marvel’s misfit squad of morally gray figures, are expected to play a part. Their ruthless methods could prove useful against a villain who doesn’t fight fair.
And then there’s the Fantastic Four. With Doom as the big bad, their involvement feels inevitable. Reed Richards’ brilliance, Sue Storm’s stealth, Johnny Storm’s flash, and Ben Grimm’s brute force perfectly counter Doom’s genius and mysticism.
Downey Jr. as Doom
The real jaw-dropper is Robert Downey Jr.’s return—not as Tony Stark, but as Doctor Doom. For a decade, fans associated him with Iron Man, whose death in Endgame was the emotional high point of Marvel’s Infinity Saga. Now, the same actor is putting on a mask of pure menace.
Downey’s Doom promises to be a chilling contrast: the charisma of a beloved hero twisted into the cunning and cruelty of one of Marvel’s darkest villains. This bold move could elevate Doom into an all-time great cinematic antagonist.
Channing Tatum Spills More
Adding fuel to the fire, Channing Tatum accidentally dropped a significant detail during an interview. After surprising audiences as Gambit in Deadpool & Wolverine, he admitted to suffering a leg injury filming a fight scene against none other than Downey’s Doom in London.
Because of the injury, Tatum explained, his stunt double would handle wide shots and action-heavy scenes while he underwent therapy. He also mentioned Gambit’s Cajun accent would be toned down for this film, giving the character a more serious edge in keeping with the movie’s darker tone.
X-Men on the Horizon
If Gambit is confirmed, it’s hard not to speculate who else might tag along. Professor X, Magneto, Wolverine, and even Deadpool could appear—possibly in the climactic fight that pits every hero against Doom. Adding Deadpool in particular could shake up the tone, though it’s unlikely that Marvel would shift the rating away from PG-13.
All Eyes on Doomsday
The MCU has always thrived on its ability to surprise, and this film looks to take that reputation to new heights. From Downey’s shocking transformation to Tatum’s slip about Gambit, every new leak points toward Avengers: Doomsday being Marvel’s most ambitious project since Endgame.
And if the leaks are accurate, Doom may just deliver a threat unlike anything fans have seen before.
