Spider-Man is one of the most popular characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and after a recent update, I believe the hero will have a very important role to play in Avengers: Doomsday. Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man franchise was the one that got me invested in superhero movies, series, and even comic books in general. I have loved all three live-action versions of Spider-Man, as well as the animated iterations of the character. However, Tom Holland’s Spider-Man movies make up the most balanced version of the character we have seen in live-action up to this moment.

Marvel still has to confirm that Spider-Man will be in the next two Avengers movies, but Holland is expected to do so, with Spider-Man 4‘s story in the middle possibly serving as connective tissue between the next Avengers entries. Avengers: Doomsday‘s cast has received a few updates since the movie was formally announced at San Diego Comic-Con 2024. Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans, the two faces of the MCU, will return to the franchise to star in the next Avengers movie. However, a major absence opens the door for Spider-Man’s role in the film to take an interesting turn.

Doctor Strange’s Avengers: Doomsday Absence Leaves A Void To Be Filled

The Next Avengers Movie Just Received A Surprising Update

So far, only a few actors and characters have been officially confirmed by Marvel for Avengers: Doomsday. The list includes the MCU’s Fantastic Four, some members of the Thunderbolts, Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom, and a few others. One of the biggest names confirmed for the film was Benedict Cumberbatch, who would return to the MCU for the first time since 2022’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. In June 2024, Cumberbatch revealed Doctor Strange would be in Avengers 5 — now тιтled Avengers: Doomsday — commenting on how he was looking forward to start filming the project this year.

However, Marvel Studios made some mᴀssive changes to the movie, with Jonathan Majors being fired and his Kang the Conqueror replaced by Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom. RDJ’s new Marvel character is now the main villain of Avengers: Doomsday, and that has led to Doctor Strange’s role in the film being cut. Recently, Benedict Cumberbatch claimed Doctor Strange is not in Avengers: Doomsday anymore, as he does not align with the movie’s part of the story that will be followed up in Avengers: Secret Wars, where Cumberbatch says Doctor Strange will not only be present but will have a major role.

Doctor Strange’s absence from Avengers: Doomsday complicates matters for the Avengers. Before the movie’s recent update, one of the strongest theories about the Avengers film was that Doctor Strange would be the new leader of the team. Not only does he have the experience with the Avengers to rise up the ranks, but he is one of the MCU characters with the most multiverse experience. After all, Doctor Strange traversed different universes to stop the Scarlet Witch in his latest solo movie and is currently dealing with incursions. The Avengers will lose a lot in his absence.

Two MCU Heroes Could Take Doctor Strange’s Place

Marvel Studios Has Other Multiverse-Experienced Stars

With Doctor Strange’s confirmed absence from Avengers: Doomsday, Marvel Studios has the chance to pivot to two other heroes who are even more popular than Strange and also have plenty of multiverse experience, though in different ways. First up is Tom Hiddleston’s Loki. There is a lot of potential in bringing back the character. The beloved Loki variant reuniting with Thor after the original God of Mischief died would be quite emotional. Loki also fought against Kang variants and helped the multiverse flourish in his Disney+ series. However, his role in charge of the multiverse should keep him busy.

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With Loki needing to stay on his throne to protect the new timelines and Yggdrasil, Tom Holland’s Spider-Man emerges as the candidate I believe could take over Doctor Strange’s role in Avengers: Doomsday. Like Strange and Loki, Peter Parker has also dealt with the multiverse in his own project. 2021’s Spider-Man: No Way Home saw Holland’s Marvel hero team up with Spider-Man variants and fight villains from other universes. Not only was Spider-Man successful in sending the multiverse characters back to their respective universes, but he also cured the villains while doing so.

I Want Spider-Man To Be Avengers: Doomsday’s Star & It Makes Sense For Marvel

Tom Holland Still Has A Long Future As Spider-Man

With Doctor Strange no longer part of Avengers: Doomsday, I want Spider-Man to become the movie’s main hero, and it would fit with the character’s popularity and MCU story. Years ago, Tom Holland’s Peter Parker only wanted to protect his neighborhood, refusing Tony Stark’s invite to join the Avengers. Since then, the hero helped the Avengers stop Thanos, dealt with multiverse threats, and rose to the occasion every time he needed to. While I agree that he is too young to lead the new Avengers team, Spider-Man can still be the main star of the movie without becoming their leader.

There are a few reasons that explain why Marvel could decide on Spider-Man as Avengers: Doomsday’s main hero. First is the box office aspect. All of Holland’s MCU appearances have been global hits, with Spider-Man: No Way Home nearly breaking the $2 billion mark, which no other MCU solo movie has gotten close to. Holland also wants to stay as Spider-Man for many more movies, which should make Marvel trust the Sony deal enough to continue having Spidey in a prominent role. Finally, as Spider-Man 4 releases between the next two Avengers movies, it could set up Secret Wars.

Doctor Doom’s MCU Casting Makes Spider-Man Very Important

Peter Parker Has A Major Connection To The Villain

Another key aspect that makes me believe Tom Holland’s Spider-Man will shine in Avengers: Doomsday is the movie’s main villain. Robert Downey Jr. plays Doctor Doom in the film. After years of Downey’s Iron Man serving as Peter Parker’s mentor, it would make sense that the upcoming Avengers movies would put a lot of focus on RDJ and Holland interacting. Even if Victor von Doom is revealed not to be a Tony Stark variant, the mere fact that he has Iron Man’s face, as he is played by Downey, would be enough to make Peter feel connected to him.

There are many ways in which Doctor Doom’s casting could lead to Spider-Man being central to Avengers: Doomsday‘s story. If the villain does not try to hide his true nature, Peter could take upon himself the mission of stopping him to preserve Tony Stark’s legacy. However, I also think there is another interesting path, as Doctor Doom is manipulative enough to get Spider-Man on his side if he learns about Peter’s connection to Tony Stark. Either way, with Doctor Strange absent and Spider-Man being experienced with the multiverse and a fan-favorite, he could very well lead Avengers: Doomsday.

All Announced Upcoming MCU Movies

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  Captain America: Brave New World

  Release Date

  
  February 14, 2025
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Thunderbolts*

  Release Date

  
  May 2, 2025
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  The Fantastic Four: First Steps

  Release Date

  
  July 25, 2025
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Avengers: Doomsday (2026)

  
  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Spider-Man Homecoming 4

  Release Date

  
  July 24, 2026
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Avengers: Secret Wars

  Release Date

  
  May 7, 2027
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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