Word is out about who will be in Avengers: Doomsday . Lots of talk surrounds characters and actors possibly showing up. It can be tough to follow all the info. So let's break down who is actually confirmed who is just reported and what is pure rumor.
To keep things clear "confirmed" means the studio a studio boss or the actor playing the role has stated a character will be in the movie. "Reported" means news outlets have said it but it's not official. "Rumored" is for when there's no solid source just online chatter.
Robert Downey Junior's Doctor Doom Role is Confirmed News Straight from Comic Con Itself
This is known for a while. Robert Downey Junior is confirmed to play Doom. This was announced at Comic Con. You can easily find the video online if you missed it. This is old news so we won't spend too much time on it.
Reports Suggest Chris Evans Might Return to the MCU for Avengers Doomsday But Is It True?
news outlets like The Wrap The Hollywood Reporter Variety Deadline and CBM have all stated Chris Evans is coming back to Marvel for Avengers: Doomsday. However Marvel or Evans haven't confirmed this. It's not clear what role Evans would have but Captain America makes sense. Some even guess he might play an evil version.
Update: Chris Evans said he is "happily retired" from Marvel. He stated he won't be back for Avengers: Doomsday. He told Esquire "That’s not true though. This always happens. I mean it happens every couple years — ever since Endgame. I’ve just stopped responding to it. Yeah no — happily retired!". It's hard to say if this is the full story. Actors often deny movie roles to keep secrets. We will have to wait for the movie to know for sure.
Spider-Man's Return in Avengers Doomsday is Heavily Rumored But Not Yet Official
Major news sources are only saying Spider-Man's return in Avengers: Doomsday is a rumor. Still it would be a surprise if Spider-Man didn't show up. The villain is using his mentor's face. It seems likely Spider-Man will be there but for now it's just a rumor.
Benedict Cumberbatch's Doctor Strange Role in Avengers Doomsday - A Confusing Situation
Some websites claim a Variety article confirms Cumberbatch will be back as Doctor Strange. But the only source seems to be TVGroove a less known outlet. TVGroove interviewed Cumberbatch in Tokyo. He said "I’m really excited not only to work with the Russo brothers again but also to have Robert Downey Jr. returning as Doctor Doom." You can find this interview online.
Update: Benedict Cumberbatch told Variety he is not in Avengers: Doomsday. He even joked about it being a spoiler. Then he told Business Insider "I got that wrong I am in the next one. Don't ever believe anything I say." It's really unclear. Cumberbatch might be messing with fans to keep things secret. One of his statements has to be false. We will have to wait until the movie is released.
Anthony Mackie Confirms His Captain America Will Appear in Avengers Doomsday
Anthony Mackie himself confirmed he is returning for Avengers: Doomsday. He told Empire Magazine he was excited to work with the Russo brothers again. He didn't say "I am in the next Avengers movie" directly but it's a confirmation. How his Captain America fits in is unknown. There's talk he might be forming a new Avengers team in Captain America: Brave New World.
Hayley Atwell as Peggy Carter Reported to Return for Avengers Doomsday But Not Confirmed
Deadline reported Hayley Atwell will return as Peggy Carter. There's no official word from Atwell or Marvel yet. So this is reported not confirmed. Details are missing but she might return as her superhero version.
Fantastic Four Confirmed by Kevin Feige for the Next Avengers Movies Including Doomsday
At the Disney APAC Showcase Kevin Feige spoke briefly with Deadline. He confirmed the Fantastic Four will be in "...the next Avengers movies." This isn't a shock. The Fantastic Four are important for the MCU's future. Also Doom is a classic villain for the Fantastic Four. Victor Von Doom and Reed Richards are often linked.
Update: Scooper @MyTimeToShineH suggests the Fantastic Four are leading the movie. Earth-516 Avengers might have a smaller role.
Rumors of Deadpool and Wolverine Team-Up Again in Avengers Doomsday Circulate
Hollywood insider Daniel Richtman has claimed Deadpool and Wolverine will be together again in Avengers: Doomsday. This makes sense. Feige has said Deadpool and Wolverine is very important to Doomsday and Secret Wars like Infinity War was to Endgame. This could relate to Anchor Beings and the next Avengers films. If these two characters are in the movie it would make even more sense.
Gambit Kelsey Grammar and Patrick Stewart Rumored for Avengers Doomsday
Fans want to see Channing Tatum back as Gambit. Kelsey Grammar and Patrick Stewart are iconic as their characters. It would be great for these actors to return. Alex Perez is sharing these rumors but they are just rumors. No official word on these characters coming back.
Hints of X-Men and Mutants in Avengers Doomsday and Beyond
In summer 2024 Feige suggested "the whole story of Secret Wars really leads us into a new age of Mutants and of the X-Men." Doomsday seems to lead into Secret Wars. Feige might be hinting at X-Men in both movies. This isn't confirmed. No X-Men are confirmed for Doomsday. But Feige did say Deadpool & Wolverine is important for the next Avengers movies. It seems likely X-Men will be involved.
Scarlet Witch Rumors Based on Leaked Production List for Avengers Doomsday
Many rumors are about the Scarlet Witch. A production list for Avengers: Doomsday leaked recently with Olsen's name. But these lists can be fake. News outlets reporting her return are using this list. So it's a rumor.
Daredevil Appearance in Avengers Movie - Gym Post Creates Buzz But Remains Rumor
Charlie Cox's gym DFRNT Health and Fitness posted a photo on Instagram. The caption mentioned Charlie training for an Avengers movie as Daredevil. The caption was later changed. They might have been confused about his role. But it seems likely they didn't just randomly add "Avengers". News sites are reporting this as "reported" but it still feels like a rumor.
Ghost Rider Rumored to Have Big Role in Avengers Doomsday According to Scooper
Apocalyptic Horseman a known Hollywood scooper on X says Ghost Rider will be in Avengers: Doomsday. The scooper says Ghost Rider will have a "big role". No info on a solo series. This is all the info for now. Take this rumor with caution because of limited details.
Pepper Potts as Rescue Rumor - Unlikely Return?
Another rumor from @MyTimeToShineH says Pepper Potts will return as Rescue. This is unlikely. Gwyneth Paltrow seemed done with Marvel. But maybe a Disney paycheck is tempting. Seeing Pepper fight a Doom variant of Tony Stark could be interesting.
Many More Characters Could Appear in Avengers Doomsday - Possibilities Abound
It's possible many reported and rumored characters could be in Avengers: Doomsday. Rumors suggest even more like Bucky Barnes Thunderbolts Guardians of the Galaxy Gambit Quicksilver and others.
Avengers Doomsday Set to be a Nostalgic Send-off to the Multiverse Saga
2025 is a big year for Marvel. Three movies and many Disney Plus shows are coming. The Multiverse Saga has been mixed. Disney and Marvel wanted to build up Kang as the villain. But after issues with the actor they shifted plans. To wrap up this saga Marvel is focusing on Doctor Doom played by Robert Downey Jr.. This has sparked theories about how Iron Man will become Doom.
Doctor Doom as Nostalgic Choice to End Multiverse Saga and Move to New Stories
When RDJ as Doom was first mentioned it seemed odd. But now it feels like a nostalgic move to end this saga. It could lead to newer characters and stories. The MCU has felt uncertain. An Avengers movie soon felt strange because we don't know who the Avengers are. Captain America Hulk and Hawkeye might be involved. But few characters are set up for the team. There's not much time to get ready.
Avengers Name Might Just Be Marketing Tool for Large Superhero Team-Up Events
It seems "Avengers" is now a marketing term. It means a big team-up event with heroes fighting a major threat. Calling it Avengers: DOOMSDAY and Avengers: Secret Wars helps sell tickets. Using just sub-titles might confuse viewers. "Avengers" in the title sells big budget superhero action.
Theory Suggests Doctor Doom is a Variant Tony Stark from Alternate Reality
Fans wonder how Robert Downey Jr. can play Doctor Doom after Iron Man. It could be a variant from the multiverse. Leaked plot for Fantastic Four says they are from Earth-616 and get lost in the multiverse. Galactus might follow them back to Earth-616. This is where Doctor Doom could come in.
Doctor Doom's Backstory Theory - Grief and Twisted Worldview
Imagine a world where the Avengers were defeated. Or Thanos' snap wasn't fixed. Only Tony Stark remains. This Stark variant could become twisted from grief. Seeing his friends die could warp his view. This could drive him to follow Galactus to Earth-616. He might want to merge the multiverse to save his loved ones and gain control. Grief can change people like it did to Wanda.
Doctor Doom's Limited Build-Up Similar to Thanos Before Infinity War
Some complain Doom lacks build-up. But Thanos only had small appearances before Avengers: Infinity War except for the infinity stones hints. Avengers: DOOMSDAY might just set up Doctor Doom. It could end with him creating a merged world for the final battle in the next movie. Post-credit scenes and films between Avengers movies can build his threat.
Nostalgic Cast Returns Before Potential MCU Reboot After Secret Wars
Many stars are joining the two Avengers movies. This gives a nostalgic feel before the multiverse ends and a Mutant Saga starts. Chris Evans might return to talk down an "evil" Tony Stark. This would be a great scene without hurting his Endgame ending.
MCU Reboot Possible After Secret Wars - Recasting Classic Heroes for New Era
After Secret Wars the MCU might reboot without the multiverse. Except for Spider-Man and newer heroes Marvel could recast classic heroes. Comics do this often. Actors age out or want to move on. A merged multiverse allows new Iron Man or Captain America without erasing past stories. Secret Wars needs to set up audience acceptance for recasting. Marvel will continue and explore more stories. This nostalgic send-off is good for the current MCU.
Audiences May Initially Struggle to Accept Robert Downey Jr. as a Villain
Downey Jr. became loved as Iron Man. He blended his personality with Tony Stark. Audiences felt connected to him. His charm and charisma made him likeable. But this could be a problem for a villain role. Fans don't want a funny villain like Stark. This worries some people. After Kang changes Marvel needs to get Doom right. Downey Jr. will get much attention. Pressure is on for his performance.
Robert Downey Jr.'s Acting Style Will Need to Shift for Doctor Doom Role
Downey Jr. is a skilled actor. He proved this beyond Iron Man. Oppenheimer showed his range. He needs to do something similar for Avengers: Doomsday. He can show a different side. This challenge could excite him and impress fans. Marvel needs fans to forget Iron Man. His acting is key.
Doctor Doom Needs to Establish Himself as a Serious Threat by Killing a Hero Early On
Downey Jr.'s acting is strong. But Marvel needs to make Doctor Doom a real threat quickly. He should kill a hero early in Avengers: Doomsday. Many characters will be in the movie. It doesn't need to be a top hero like Spider-Man. But it should be someone fans care about to have impact.
Marvel Sometimes Hesitates to Kill Top Heroes But Doctor Doom Needs To Be Different
Marvel often avoids killing major MCU heroes. Movies are for all ages. But when done right hero deaths add drama. It makes audiences more invested. Killing a hero early in Avengers: Doomsday would have this effect. Like Thanos' snap this would shock viewers. Doctor Doom doing this early on would force people to take him seriously. This would make Avengers: Doomsday more engaging.
Killing heroes is tough. They are central to the MCU. But for real stakes big moments are needed. If Doctor Doom shows his power and kills a hero early on those unsure about Downey Jr. as villain might accept it. This will help Avengers: Doomsday overall.
Fan reactions to Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom are mixed. Some dislike Marvel's choice to replace Kang with Doom. But this shift might make sense for the MCU story. Doom might have been secretly influencing events all along. Marvel might be hinting at Doom's role setting up Doomsday and Secret Wars.
This pivot to Doom could be a good story move despite being created recently due to actor changes. Looking closely there might be clues Doom has been involved in the MCU for a while.
Success!
Many loved MCU heroes will return for a new adventure. Script by Mayra Garcia and video edited by Tim McDonald.