Marvel Officially Confirmed Iron Man’s MCU Replacement & It Makes Robert Downey Jr’s Doom Better

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After Thanos, the Marvel Cinematic Universe needed a new major villain. Kang seemed like the answer, but issues with the actor Jonathan Majors led Marvel to change course. Now, they’re turning to a familiar face: Robert Downey Jr., who helped build the MCU as Iron Man. Instead of playing a villainous version of Iron Man, Downey Jr. will be taking on the role of Doctor Doom in the upcoming film, Avengers: Doomsday.

Okay, so everyone’s wondering who the next big bad is after Thanos, and honestly, Doctor Doom feels like the perfect fit. He’s a classic Marvel villain – one of the very first, and incredibly powerful. But it’s not just about strength; Doom has existing connections to characters we already know and love in the MCU. I’m picturing some seriously intense confrontations with Black Panther, and a really complicated dynamic with Sue Storm. But here’s the thing: Marvel seems to be setting up another character as Doom’s primary rival, someone who’s already stepped into the role his counterpart used to fill.

Marvel Already Knows Who the Next Face of the MCU Is

Looking ahead for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Spider-Man and Captain America stand out as potential leaders. Spider-Man, a former protégé of Tony Stark, is a beloved hero who’s finally becoming a central figure, though his future depends on Sony. If Marvel wants a hero from its own universe to take the lead, Sam Wilson, the current Captain America, is a strong choice. Like Tony Stark, Sam relies on his skills and technology rather than superpowers, and he’s proving to be a noble leader as he builds a new Avengers team.

Sam Wilson (Captain America) and Doctor Doom haven’t really clashed in the comics, so Marvel seems to be focusing on a different storyline for now. Recently, Marvel’s official X account highlighted similar statements made by Tony Stark and Reed Richards. Both geniuses discuss proactively addressing potential threats to themselves and their families. This approach caused problems for Tony in films like Avengers: Age of Ultron and Captain America: Civil War. But it might benefit Reed, as he’ll likely face difficult decisions when dealing with the upcoming conflict with Doom.

Doctor Doom Is Going to Test Mister Fantastic Right Out of the Gate

Tony Stark immediately became the central figure of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and things generally went well for him until Age of Ultron. That’s when Scarlet Witch showed him a terrifying vision of his friends dying, which prompted him to prepare for Thanos’s arrival. Ultimately, he made the ultimate sacrifice to defeat the Mad Titan. Reed Richards, however, won’t have to wait as long to face a crisis. His worst nightmare is already unfolding. The post-credits scene of The Fantastic Four: First Steps reveals that Doctor Doom is targeting Reed and Sue’s son, Franklin Richards, hoping to exploit his powers for multiversal conquest. Reed will undoubtedly be ready to fight back with everything he has when the major conflict begins.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe needs to get its next major villain right, especially after some missteps recently. Thankfully, it seems everyone agrees Doctor Doom is the way to go. He’ll be a serious threat, undermining heroes like Reed Richards long before anyone even sees him. And when his identity is finally revealed, it’s going to cause major upheaval throughout the entire franchise. If that doesn’t make him one of the greatest villains ever, nothing will.

Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters on December 18, 2026.

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2025-11-14 20:11