10 Years Later, the MCU Can Pay Off One of Its Most Important Lines (With a Twist)

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A major character is returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2026 with *Avengers: Doomsday*, and it’s Robert Downey Jr. – but not as Iron Man. He’ll be playing Doctor Doom, a villain who shares some striking similarities with Tony Stark. It’s unclear exactly how Marvel will use this connection, but it’s expected to be a key part of the story. Several confirmed cast members, like Thor and Captain America, have a long history with Tony Stark, which will likely come into play.

Lots of rumors are circulating about which Avengers will appear in the upcoming movie. Chris Evans, who played Steve Rogers (Captain America), is a major focus of speculation. Many fans expect a significant return for the original Cap, which would fit the movie’s massive scope. Bringing him back could also allow Marvel to finally resolve a storyline they’ve been building for ten years.

Steve Rogers Makes a Promise to Tony Stark in Captain America: Civil War

From the start, Captain America and Iron Man didn’t see eye-to-eye. Tony resented the way Steve Rogers was always praised by his father, while Steve thought Tony became Iron Man purely for selfish reasons. Both had valid complaints, but their disagreement escalated in *Captain America: Civil War*. Tony proposed the Sokovia Accords, which would have put the Avengers under the control of the United Nations. Captain America was wary, especially after having to shut down S.H.I.E.L.D. when it was infiltrated by the villainous HYDRA. Despite refusing to sign the Accords, Steve couldn’t resist intervening to save his friend Bucky Barnes, which led to an international crisis.

A conflict erupts between the heroes when Steve attempts to bring Bucky to Siberia to prevent Helmut Zemo from reviving more Winter Soldiers. During the confrontation, Tony’s close friend, James Rhodes, is seriously hurt. Despite his initial anger, Tony travels to Siberia to assist Steve, unaware that Zemo has orchestrated the entire situation to expose the truth behind his parents’ deaths. Discovering that Bucky was responsible, Tony attacks, and Steve ends up defeating him. They separate on hostile terms, but Steve assures Tony he’ll always be there for him before the end of *Civil War*. Steve keeps his promise in *Avengers: Endgame*, standing by Tony’s side during the Time Heist, and he may have another opportunity to support his friend depending on how events unfold in *Doomsday*.

Doctor Doom Could Seek Out His Own Captain America in Doomsday

Everything suggests Doctor Doom is a unique character, not simply an evil counterpart to Tony Stark, and he likely doesn’t possess Tony’s body after death. However, a link between them will exist, allowing Doom to exploit Tony’s widespread connections throughout the multiverse. He might target figures like Howard Stark, who rivals his son’s intellect, or a particularly aggressive version of Rhodey. Alternatively, Doom could focus on Captain America – if Steve Rogers is always loyal to Tony, an evil Cap could serve the same purpose for Doom.

The thought of fighting a villain disguised as a hero is already unsettling, but adding another one to the mix creates exciting new opportunities. This will definitely throw the Avengers off balance, and could be the deciding factor in a fight. While Doctor Doom is powerful enough to cause significant damage on his own, using deception allows him to make a strong first impression in the Marvel Cinematic Universe without relying solely on brute force.

Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters on December 18, 2026.

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2025-10-07 23:15