I know I’m not alone, but I’m concerned about the MCU’s superheroes going up against Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday, especially considering how the Scarlet Witch basically defeated the Avengers single-handedly. Wanda Maximoff only got more powerful with each of the Scarlet Witch’s MCU appearances, going from wielding telekinesis and mind-warping abilities to destroying an Infinity Stone and trawling the multiverse in pursuit of America Chavez. This ostensibly culminated in her death as she destroyed every version of the Darkhold across the multiverse and herself along with it (though the nature of her death has sparked doubts).
As it stands, this death means that the Avengers will be devoid of one of their most powerful teammates by the time they go up against Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday. It is unclear whether the Avengers will boast a full team to start with, as only a handful of applicable names were included in the Avengers: Doomsday cast reveal. Still, even if the X-Men outnumber the current iteration of Avengers, I think they’re at significant risk for one key reason.
Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness Sacrificing The Illuminati To Show How Powerful Scarlet Witch Is Has Ignited A Fear For Me With Avengers: Doomsday’s Cast
Will The Avengers Fall To The Same Fate As The Illuminati?
Scarlet Witch was at her most powerful in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness as the Darkhold empowered her, though this meant succumbing to its insidious influence and embarking on her villainous arc. This power saw her defeat an entire army of sorcerers on their home turf at Kamar-Taj and cause concern for the world’s most powerful sorcerer, Doctor Strange. Still, this feat paled in comparison to her subsequent rampage in Earth-838, where the Scarlet Witch made short work of that world’s mightiest heroes, the Illuminati.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness may have been an integral installment of the Multiverse Saga, but Scarlet Witch doesn’t boast as much status as an Avengers arch-villain. Nevertheless, her killing of powerful characters is taken straight from the playbook of Thanos, whose earliest scene in Avengers: Infinity War saw him swiftly overcome the Hulk and then kill Loki with seemingly little effort. In both Wanda and Thanos’ instances, their power is immediately demonstrated – and I worry that this tactic will be repeated in Avengers: Doomsday as Doctor Doom makes quick work of one or several of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.
Avengers: Doomsday Is Way More Likely To Kill Off Fox Heroes Than Its Own
Fox’s X-Men Are Probably Going To Die In Avengers: Doomsday
Even if Marvel Studios wanted to maximize the shock factor of Doom demonstrating his immense powers, I highly doubt the Avengers would be chosen as the victims. The newest iteration of the team will have barely had time to ᴀssemble before being killed off, which would be an interesting narrative decision to say the least. Instead, I’m certain that the most imperiled characters are those from the Fox X-Men universe, who are confirmed to be starring in Avengers: Doomsday as occupants of an alternate universe, most likely the same that Monica Rambeau entered at the end of The Marvels.
If they are going to die, then having Doom summarily kill them off would not only demonstrate Doom’s incredible powers but carry enough emotional weight to compound the shock, as these characters are so familiar to fans of the superhero genre.
It is unlikely that Fox’s X-Men cast will survive the events of Avengers: Doomsday anyway. Their age works against them when it comes to incorporating them fully into the MCU, and Marvel Studios is more likely to be preparing a fresher-faced roster of X-Men actors. If they are going to die, then having Doom summarily kill them off would not only demonstrate Doom’s incredible powers but carry enough emotional weight to compound the shock, as these characters are so familiar to fans of the superhero genre.
How Avengers: Doomsday Can Avoid Sacrificing The Movie’s Marvel Heroes Just To Make Doctor Doom Look Strong
Doctor Doom Could Flip The Script
Alternatively, Marvel Studios could opt for another route entirely. I would prefer this to be the case, given that the murder or subjugation of powerful characters has become a common MCU trope at this point. In fact, Avengers: Doomsday could go one step further than having Doom kill several powerful heroes. Instead, he could destroy an entire universe – a move that would capably demonstrate his power without requiring the death of beloved Marvel superheroes, though putting variants in the cross hairs would work just as well.
Doctor Doom will likely become God Emperor Doom with near-omnipotent powers in Avengers: Secret Wars.
Some of the MCU’s most iconic villains demonstrated their power without killing another powerful character. Hela immediately springs to mind, as her opening scene saw her stop and then destroy Mjolnir, cementing her as one of the most powerful beings in the MCU without laying a finger on Thor or Loki. Avengers: Doomsday could afford a similar scene to Doctor Doom, or maybe even flip the script by having Doom save an entire universe by manipulating the multiverse and proving himself to be above even natural order.
Upcoming MCU Movies
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Thunderbolts*
- Release Date
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May 2, 2025
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The Fantastic Four: First Steps
- Release Date
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July 25, 2025
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Avengers: Doomsday
- Release Date
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December 18, 2026
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Spider-Man: Brand New Day
- Release Date
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July 31, 2026
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Avengers: Secret Wars
- Release Date
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December 17, 2027