Loki is returning to Avengers: Doomsday, but I’m afraid his Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) story is going to repeat a tragic moment from Avengers: Infinity War. Loki first appeared in the MCU back in Thor in 2011. However, his story took some unexpected turns along the Sacred Timeline, leading to one of the more unique character arcs in the MCU. However, after Tom Hiddleston has cemented the character as a fan favorite over numerous appearances, he is set to return once again in Avengers: Doomsday, as seen in the cast list reveal.

Of course, like anyone else, I am extremely excited to see the actor return after his earlier appearance in the solo TV series, Loki, but it does raise questions about how and why the character is back. After all, Avengers: Doomsday is set to have major consequences for the heroes across the multiverse, and introduce the big bad of the Multiverse Saga, Doctor Doom, played by Robert Downey Jr. Meanwhile, Loki’s story appeared to have a fairly definitive ending in the TV series, which leads me to believe that his inclusion in the film may not be as bright and cheerful as we would expect.

Loki Has One Of The Best Character Arcs In The Entire MCU

Loki Went From Villain To Hero And Around Again

As mentioned briefly above, Loki first appeared in the MCU in 2011. At that point, he was a mischievous god of Asgard, and the brother of Thor, but he came to learn his true heritage, and began to rebel in rather extreme ways. Loki then went on to play the main antagonist in 2012 in The Avengers, where he attempted to take over Earth and subjugate humankind. However, Loki’s streak as a villain comes to an end in Thor: Ragnarok, when he reunites with his brother, and the pair seem to reconcile some of their differences.

This led to Loki sacrificing his life to save his brother when they were captured by Thanos. However, his story didn’t end there. After the events of Avengers: Endgame created some fractured timelines, a variant of Loki manages to escape after the Battle of New York, only to be captured by the TVA. It’s at this point that he once again experiences a change of heart across two seasons of Loki, which leads to him stepping up as a heroic character. There is no other character who managed to change and grow so much in the MCU, but as a result, his story has already wrapped up twice.

Loki’s Sacrifice In Avengers: Infinity War Was A Major Inciting Incident

Thanos Starts His Streak Of Destruction With Loki

Avengers: Infinity War picks up shortly after the events of Thor: Ragnarok, with the people of Asgard fleeing their destroyed home on large ships. Among them, both Thor and Loki stand with their people, with their relationship somewhat healed. But when Thanos arrives to claim the Infinity Stones, he quickly overwhelms everyone, including the Hulk. Despite his incredible show of power, Loki stepped up to try and kill Thanos with a magical hidden dagger, only to be brutally choked to death, leaving his brother weeping before Heimdall transported Thor and Hulk away from the scene.

This sacrifice is the first major death of the final chapter of the Infinity Saga. It’s a huge moment for the characters, as Thor swears to avenge his brother, and it shows the extent of power that Thanos wields. Loki’s life was not a cheap sacrifice, it was a significant inciting incident that set the wheels in motion for this final chapter. And it’s all the more heartbreaking, because Thor and Loki had only just begun to trust one another, before he was cruelly taken away by the Mad тιтan.

After Loki Season 2, The Variant Loki Became One Of The Multiverse’s Mightiest Heroes

Loki Saved The Multiverse From Oblivion

But again, Loki’s story did continue. The variant that was taken by the Time Variance Authority, aka TVA, was a younger, more arrogant, and defiant Loki. However, when presented with the expanse of the life he should have lived, and the idea of reconciling with his brother, Loki appears to begin changing again. Add to this the fact that he recognizes how small he is among the multiverse, as opposed to seeing himself as a god among mortals, and Loki is on the right track to become a good guy again. However, Loki season 2 took the character so much further than anyone could have predicted.

When the multiverse begins to crack, Loki is uniquely positioned to try and keep it intact. Initially, he seeks out the help of a Kang variant, as they were responsible for the TVA’s creation in the first place, but Loki manages to expand his own powers and begins to wield time and space. While Victor Timely, the Kang variant that Loki recruited to help, is willing to put his life on the line, it’s Loki that once again takes action, and steps up to save the multiverse. Wielding enormous power, he managed to hold the timelines together, and prevent the multiverse from imploding, though this would become his eternal position.

Doctor Doom Could Repeat An Avengers: Infinity War Moment With Loki

Doctor Doom Needs To Clear A Path To Dominating The Multiverse

Loki concluded with Loki embracing his great and glorious purpose, and holding the multiverse together with his own being and willpower. But Avengers: Doomsday is set to have Doctor Doom arrive and shake things up. Presumably, Doom needs a way to access the multiverse, and perhaps the simplest would be to invade the TVA, harness their technology, and begin exploring the multiverse for himself. But even if Doom manages to do that, Loki is one character who stands between him and control of the multiverse.

Loki’s position as the one holding the multiverse together may either threaten Doom’s plans to dominate worlds without number, or Loki may be alerted to Doom’s interference thanks to his position holding it all together. In either case, it seems like Doom and Loki will come into conflict, and if that happens, Loki could stand to be a sacrifice that kicks off the final moments of the Multiverse Saga. Loki is stronger now than ever before, but Doctor Doom stands to be the greatest threat the MCU has ever seen, and Loki appears to be directly in the firing line in Avengers: Doomsday.