Summary
Marvel’s plans forAvengers: Secret Warsand the future of theMarvel Cinematic Universehave been confirmed, and that means the film’s major villain theory is now finally coming true. The Multiverse Saga is going through some significant changes.Avengers: Secret Wars' storyis unlikely to feature Kang the Conqueror and his variants in any shape or form. The character had been first established in Disney+‘sLoki, which introduced Jonathan Majors as the Kang variant known as He Who Remains. Then,Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumaniaintroduced Majors’ Kang the Conqueror, the prime version of the villain.
Though it looked like Kang died at the end of the movie, it was expected that he would return for the then-announcedAvengers: The Kang Dynastyand 2027’sAvengers: Secret Wars, with the multiversal Council of Kangs appearing in one of both movies. However, due toKang actor Jonathan Majors' arrest on assault and harassment charges, Marvel decided to part ways with the star. The studio recently had a major panel atSan Diego Comic-Con’s Hall H, whereScreen Rantwas in attendance, andrevealed which Marvel villain and actor would take over Kang’s place in the MCU.
Every Upcoming Marvel Movie: Full MCU Phase 6 List (& Beyond)
With Marvel Studios' MCU now dominating the upcoming release slate for Marvel movies, here’s what to expect in the coming years and beyond.
Marvel Confirmed Doctor Doom For Avengers: Secret Wars
Robert Downey Jr. Returns To The MCU
While Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige made no mention of Kang the Conqueror, his variants, or Majors, the Marvel panel announced that a new villain is coming to the MCU, with a familiar face playing the character.Robert Downey Jr. will play Doctor Doom.Downey walked onto the Hall H stage in full Doom costume, taking his place next to another returning set of important MCU players. The Russo Brothers, who directedCaptain America: The Winter Soldier&Civil WarandAvengers: Infinity War&Endgame, will helm Marvel’s upcoming two movies for Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.
Avengers: The Kang Dynastywill no longer be the name of the next movie of the MCU’s most popular team. Instead,2026 will see the release of Avengers: Doomsday, starring Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom. While it was not outright said Doom would also be the main villain ofAvengers: Secret Wars, the Russo Brothers commented on how they needed a movie to introduce one of the more entertaining characters in all of fiction — Doctor Doom — before getting toSecret Wars. As such, any role Kang and his variants were to have in the movie will now fall to Doom.
Robert Downey Jr’s MCU Return Role Is Marvel’s Best Kang Replacement
Avengers 5 will leave Kang the Conqueror behind, and Robert Downey Jr.’s twist MCU return could lead to the best Kang replacement.
Doctor Doom Was Heavily Theorized To Be The Avengers 6 Villain
Even When Kang The Conqueror Was Around
The reveal that Doctor Doom is coming to the MCU ends several months of speculation on who would replace Kang the Conqueror. However, even before Majors' situation shifted, there were already many theories about how Doom could play a role inAvengers: Secret Wars. The reason for that is the major roleVictor von Doom plays in the event in Marvel Comics, serving as its main villain. While Kang the Conqueror might have had that role in the MCU’s version of Secret Wars initially, there were those who still believed Marvel was planning a surprise reveal.
The twist in question would be that Marvel’s plan hinged on Kang being the main foe ofAvengers: The Kang Dynasty, as the film’s name made it clear, and then Doctor Doom shockingly be revealed as the main threat ofAvengers: Secret Wars.Among the theories were those that claimed Doom would appear and kill all Kangs, while others thought the Avengers would defeat Majors' Kang and the Council of Kangs inAvengers: The Kang Dynasty, only for Doctor Doom to appear at the end of the movie and create Battleworld. Now, those replacement theories are right. Doom is here.
How Robert Downey Jr Can Return As Doctor Doom
Marvel Studios has shockingly revealed that Robert Downey Jr. is returning to the MCU…as Doctor Doom! Here’s how it can work.
How Doctor Doom Can Fit Into Marvel’s Secret Wars Movie
The Comics Show The Path Forward
Avengers: Secret Warsshould follow the same guidelines established for the event in the comics. That is to say that the movie will be all about dealing with incursions and what the multiverse has to offer. The comic book event has enough story to be divided into two movies, andit would fit perfectly with 2026’sAvengers: Doomsdayending on the creation of Battleworld. That world is made up of several different locations from destroyed universes patched together into one by Doctor Doom when he decides to reshape the multiverse to his image.
With Downey Jr. back in the MCU,Avengers: Doomsdayis very likely to end with Doom winning. That would allow the next two Avengers movies to use the Russo Brothers' successful formula fromAvengers: Infinity WarandEndgame.Avengers: Doomsdaycould see the villain kill some important MCU heroes and reshape the multiverse, leading to the creation of Battleworld and a superior form for Doom inAvengers: Secret Wars. Marvel Studios also confirmed at San Diego Comic-Con that the Fantastic Four will appear in both upcoming Avengers films, teasing a comic book-accurate story.
Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards and other MCU and multiverse heroes would have to find each other in Battleworld and defeat RDJ’s Doom.
There is a perfect way for Doctor Doom to come into the MCU and for Marvel to still use Kang and his variants.Doom got his reality-shaping powers from the Beyonders in the comics. Kang and his variants could take their place in the MCU, with Doom stealing all their power and multiverse knowledge.Avengers: Secret Warscould present the fully realized God Emperor Doom, with Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom ruling over Battleworld with an iron fist. Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards and other MCU and multiverse heroes would have to find each other in Battleworld and defeat RDJ’s Doom.
Marvel Just Confirmed A Key Secret Wars Element & I’ve Worked Out What It Means For Avengers 6
Marvel Studios seems to be introducing an organization to the MCU that I think will be crucial to the storyline of Phase 6’s Avengers: Secret Wars.
Why Marvel Is Bringing Back Robert Downey Jr. As Doctor Doom
There Are A Few Key Reasons
Robert Downey Jr.’s MCU return rumors had been growing stronger in the past few months, withthe actor revealing that he was open to playing Iron Man againand whispers of Downey giving life to Doctor Doom taking form. Now that it has been announced, RDJ’s return will impact the MCU’s overall story and characters greatly. The Avengers and other heroes who knew Iron Man will have to go up against a villain who bears his face, which is sure to lead to some emotional moments for meetings between Doom and characters like Tom Holland’s Spider-Man.
While Downey’s return to the MCU as Doom is interesting, it is hard to ignore some of the real-life reasons that contributed to the MCU’s decision to bring back RDJ.After Downey left inAvengers: Endgame, the MCU entered its most criticized era. Marvel is now trying to course-correct after some major failures, and bringing back the most popular actor in the whole franchise seems like the easiest possible choice to make the next two Avengers movies the successes they have to be. Either way, Downey’s presence makesAvengers: Secret Warseven more exciting.
Avengers: Secret Wars
Cast
Avengers: Secret Wars is an anticipated installment in Phase 6 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, serving as the finale of The Multiverse Saga. Scheduled for release in December 2027, the film’s plot remains under wraps, fueling curiosity about its role in the expansive Marvel narrative.
