5 Marvel Characters That Have No Business Being in Avengers: Secret Wars

by

The balance of power in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is shifting. After a long pause following Avengers: Endgame, Earth’s heroes will need to team up once more, this time against Doctor Doom (played by Robert Downey Jr.). They won’t be the only ones – the Fantastic Four and X-Men will also join the fight in what’s currently titled Avengers: Doomsday. This movie is being planned as a major event for Marvel Studios, but it’s important to remember it’s only the first of two films. Think of Doomsday as the Infinity War to a future Secret Wars‘ Endgame.

The upcoming Secret Wars movie, much like the comic books it’s based on, promises a huge spectacle with appearances from classic heroes and visits to well-known worlds. However, the fifth Avengers film needs to carefully consider which characters it includes. Here are five Marvel characters who shouldn’t be in Secret Wars.

5) Molecule Man

In the 2015 Secret Wars comic book, Doctor Doom tries to conquer the entire multiverse by controlling Molecule Man, a powerful being created by the Beyonders as a universal defense mechanism. Doom sees Molecule Man as just another tool to be used for his ambitions. However, the Doctor Doom in the Marvel Cinematic Universe will likely face a different situation.

Because the Beyonders haven’t appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe yet, there isn’t a powerful enough force currently established to create the Molecule Man. Marvel Studios will likely need to find a new way to introduce a similar crucial element – perhaps by using a different character like Franklin Richards to serve that purpose.

4) Valeria Richards

Franklin has a younger sister named Valeria Richards in the comics, and she’s incredibly powerful. However, that’s where their similarities end. Unlike Franklin, Valeria is close to Doctor Doom, who is her godfather, and she even sides with him during the Secret Wars storyline.

It would be great to see more of the Richards family – particularly Franklin, who’s already attracting villainous attention – in future Avengers films. However, adding Valeria right now might be too much. It would probably be better to introduce her more fully in the next Fantastic Four movie.

3) Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man

Currently, Peter Parker (Tom Holland) isn’t involved in Doomsday, as he wasn’t included in the initial cast announcement. However, he’s expected to appear in the next installment, since he won’t be filming a Spider-Man movie at the same time.

The original Secret Wars comics introduced Spider-Man to the symbiote, and it’s tempting to think Marvel might bring back Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man to guide the current Peter Parker through dealing with its power. However, that would be a mistake. The Peter Parker in the Marvel Cinematic Universe needs to figure things out for himself.

2) Ghost Rider

Rumors are swirling that Ghost Rider, also known as the Spirit of Vengeance, will appear in both Secret Wars and Doomsday. Given his history with large-scale, universe-threatening events, including him would make sense. However, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has created a difficult situation for itself, and Secret Wars isn’t likely to provide a simple solution.

In Ironheart, the villain Mephisto appears and attempts to strike a deal with Riri Williams. He boasts about his previous agreements with others, specifically mentioning Ghost Rider as one of those he’s made a deal with. This suggests that Ghost Rider’s story in the Marvel Cinematic Universe will likely connect to Mephisto and that part of the franchise.

1) Thanos

Doom and Thanos, despite their different approaches, both seek to control everything. This fundamental conflict ultimately leads to their clash, and in Secret Wars, Doom even kills Thanos, recognizing they can’t possibly share the same goals or exist together.

While it would be exciting to see Robert Downey Jr.’s character defeat Thanos once more, it’s a risk the Marvel Cinematic Universe doesn’t need to take. Doctor Doom should be established as a powerful villain in his own right, rather than trying to surpass Thanos in importance or impact.

Avengers: Secret Wars hits theaters on December 17, 2027.

https://comicbook.com/movies/list/every-hero-in-avengers-doomsday-ranked-by-how-likely-they-are-to-be-the-one-to-defeat-doctor-doom/embed/#

Read More

2025-11-18 22:15