Avengers: Doomsday Threatens To Ruin Endgame in 2 Different Ways (& I Doubt Marvel Can Avoid It Now)

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Avengers: Doomsday is expected to be Marvel’s most significant film since Avengers: Endgame, and there’s a lot riding on its success. The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has changed considerably since Endgame premiered (and briefly held the record as the highest-grossing film ever). While Endgame marked the finale of the Infinity Saga, wrapping up over a decade of stories and character development, Doomsday arrives after a period of more inconsistent results.

Many of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s (MCU) least successful films-both in terms of box office revenue and Rotten Tomatoes scores-have been released after Endgame. However, the most noticeable change is how unfocused the MCU has become. This lack of direction was apparent even when Kang the Conqueror was intended to be the main villain of the Multiverse Saga, and it’s even more pronounced now that Doctor Doom is taking on that role. A consistent vision and excitement have been missing, so it’s understandable that Marvel is looking to its history to improve its future.

With over 20 familiar faces returning-and more announcements expected-Robert Downey Jr. is back in the MCU, this time playing Doctor Doom. There’s also ongoing speculation that Chris Evans might make an appearance somehow. Together, these returns create a concerning feeling that Marvel might be willing to undo some of the impact of Endgame to set up the next Avengers film.

RDJ’s Return Risks Hurting Iron Man’s Death

Currently, Robert Downey Jr. isn’t returning to play Iron Man, and it appears Tony Stark from Earth-616 will stay deceased. However, the character’s impact continues, as the actor is now playing the primary antagonist in Avengers: Doomsday.

Endgame wasn’t just a perfect farewell to Iron Man, but also a fitting goodbye to Robert Downey Jr., the actor who began the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He had a heroic and selfless ending, a wonderful conclusion to his journey. However, that won’t be the case anymore. With his return, that moment is no longer his final appearance in the MCU, which changes how we see it. Bringing him back carries the risk of lessening the impact of his sacrifice. What if Doomsday and/or Secret Wars doesn’t live up to expectations? Even if they *are* good, could they possibly give RDJ a more meaningful goodbye than Endgame did?

I also have a continuing, unsettling thought that the villain won’t *just* be Doctor Doom, or that the situation might be more complicated than it seems. Some fans believe Doom could be a version of Tony Stark, or that the story might change Tony’s backstory – perhaps revealing he was adopted and is actually Doom from this universe.

Honestly, even if it’s not a major role, I’m a little scared they’ll give in and have Robert Downey Jr. make a quick cameo as Iron Man from some alternate reality. It feels like nothing is off-limits these days, and I’m really worried we’ll end up with something that could damage the amazing legacy of Tony Stark. I’d hate for a random appearance to ruin our lasting memories of him, and of Downey’s performance, in the movies.

Doomsday May Undo Captain America’s Happy Ending

Besides Robert Downey Jr., there’s a good chance Chris Evans might reprise his role as Captain America in Avengers: Doomsday. I’ve always expected this to happen, and even more so after Downey’s return was confirmed, so it’s not shocking, but it would be a letdown. Steve Rogers was given a rare happy ending in the MCU, finally getting to retire as a hero on his own terms. Bringing him back suggests that ending wasn’t permanent.

A major theory surrounding Doomsday suggests that Doctor Doom will focus his attack on Steve Rogers, believing that Steve’s time travel to be with Peggy Carter created a disruption that annihilated his reality. This wouldn’t only ruin Captain America’s peaceful life by pulling him back into fighting, but it would fundamentally alter our understanding of his happiness: instead of being a positive outcome, it would be the cause of a huge danger to the entire multiverse, potentially even resulting in the deaths of some Avengers.

It’s still unconfirmed, but I believe there’s a strong possibility of this happening. A confrontation between Evans and Downey Jr. feels like a moment Marvel simply can’t ignore, even though both characters-and the actors who play them-have already had what seem like definitive conclusions to their stories.

Perhaps (and I certainly hope) I’m mistaken, and all the pessimistic predictions about Doomsday will prove to be unfounded. If they can avoid relying too much on fan-service and nostalgia, and instead create a story that feels genuine, deserved, and doesn’t undo the ending of Endgame, that would be great. However, it’s difficult to imagine how they’ll achieve that.

Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled to come out on December 18th, 2026, and Avengers: Secret Wars will follow on December 17th, 2027.

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2025-10-05 16:43