Doctor Strange will be back for Avengers: Doomsday and the character’s return sets him up to be a crucial piece to the Doctor Doom puzzle in the Marvel Cinematic Universe movie. After it became clear that Marvel would be moving on from Kang the Conqueror, even before Jonathan Majors was fired, fans asked for the MCU to bring in Doctor Doom. When that finally happened, it came with a surprise, as Iron Man actor Robert Downey Jr. was chosen to lead the MCU’s next two Avengers movies as Victor von Doom.

As one would expect, the casting news led to many theories about how that could be possible. From an alternate universe Tony Stark to a Victor von Doom who just happens to look like Tony to the MCU’s resurrected Iron Man turned bad and more, there have been many theories connecting Iron Man and Doctor Doom. However, the main face of Avengers: Doomsday‘s cast does not need to be treated as an Iron Man replacement, as Doom is much more than that. With Doctor Strange confirmed to play a role in Avengers: Doomsday‘s story, he can help realize Doom’s potential.

Doctor Strange Returning In Avengers: Doomsday Sets Up A Huge Battle

The MCU Has Already Shown The Hero’s Immense Power Several Times

Doctor Strange’s Avengers: Doomsday situation surprisingly turned out to be a complex one. The hero was the first announced to be part of the movie, which came from star Benedict Cumberbatch, who said in 2024 that he could not wait to film the Avengers entry this year. After that, the actor said he would no longer appear because Doctor Strange did not align with that part of the story of the next two Avengers movies after Marvel replaced Kang with Doctor Doom. However, that has changed again, with Doctor Strange once more confirmed to appear in Avengers: Doomsday.

With that appearance now set in stone, Marvel is setting up a major battle. Doctor Strange has everything needed to be one of the leaders of the MCU’s new Avengers. He played a key role against Thanos, is the hero with the most multiverse experience, and has held his own against extremely powerful beings. Cumberbatch’s chemistry with Robert Downey Jr., which was displayed in Avengers: Infinity War, is also too good for Marvel not to do anything with it. With two charismatic stars playing a couple of the most powerful Marvel characters of all time, a battle has to happen.

Avengers: Doomsday Needs Doctor Strange’s Magic To Make Doom More Powerful

The Marvel Hero Can Challenge The Villain In A Specific Way

One thing that the Avengers: Doomsday theories connecting Doctor Doom and Iron Man seem to forget is that Victor von Doom is much more than a genius with technology. That connection through Doom’s wealth and technological expertise, added to RDJ’s casting as the villain, makes it simple for some to reduce the character to an evil Iron Man replacement. However, Doctor Doom also happens to be one of the most powerful magic users in Marvel Comics. It is because of that that Doctor Strange’s role in Avengers: Doomsday is crucial.

With the Scarlet Witch ᴅᴇᴀᴅ and Loki stuck as the protector of the multiverse on his throne, Doctor Strange is the only MCU hero who can bring the most out of Doctor Doom’s magical side. Strange has given Thanos a very hard fight, taking him on while the villain had some Infinity Stones. The hero also battled the Scarlet Witch throughout the multiverse and successfully bargained his way out of an entanglement with Dormammu, the ruler of the Dark Dimension. Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom will need magic to defeat Doctor Strange, making the MCU’s Doom more exciting.

Who Would Win In A Battle Between Doctor Doom & Doctor Strange?

Marvel Comics Recently Boosted Doctor Doom’s Magic Status

Doctor Strange is the MCU’s former Sorcerer Supreme, with Wong taking on that role after Strange was snapped away by Thanos. However, as Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness showed, the hero’s powers continue as strong as ever, with Strange also being one of the most creative fighters in the MCU. Added to his mystical abilities, Strange is also one of the MCU’s smartest characters. All of those elements make him the perfect match for Doctor Doom, who possesses pretty much the same skills as the hero. The main difference is that Doom’s knowledge of advanced technology is greater.

I believe that a fight between the two could go either way. However, Doctor Doom would be the favorite to win in Avengers: Doomsday, as Marvel is more likely to let the villain triumph like Thanos did at first before seeing Doom lose in Avengers: Secret Wars. What I find interesting is that Doctor Doom recently became the Sorcerer Supreme in Marvel Comics. As there has been some synergy between the MCU and the comics before, if Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom is presented as his universe’s Sorcerer Supreme, then I’m sure he defeats Doctor Strange in 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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