# Avengers: Doomsday Villains: Who Will Join Robert Downey Jr.?
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is renowned for its unexpected developments, and the forthcoming *Avengers: Doomsday* and *Secret Wars* films are anticipated to present some of the most astonishing turns yet. With Robert Downey Jr. (RDJ) making his return to the MCU, not in the role of Iron Man, but as Doctor Doom, fans are buzzing about what might become a transformative villain ensemble. As the MCU distances itself from Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors) due to real-world issues, RDJ’s Doctor Doom is poised to emerge as the central villain. But who else will join this nefarious cast?
## The Emergence of Doctor Doom
The choice to redirect attention from Kang to Doctor Doom came after Marvel decided to replace *The Kang Dynasty* title for *Avengers 5* with *Doomsday*. This shift was prompted by Jonathan Majors’ legal troubles, which caused Marvel to reevaluate its villain approach for the next Avengers films. RDJ’s comeback as Doctor Doom was highlighted at Comic-Con 2024, generating considerable excitement.
Doctor Doom is anticipated to present a multiversal menace, much like Thanos in earlier Avengers films. However, this interpretation of Doom may feature a twist—he could be a variant of Tony Stark who turned into Doom instead of Iron Man. This would not only reintroduce RDJ into the MCU but would also add a layer of depth to his character, rendering him both recognizable and chilling.
## The Demand for a Villainous Coalition
In prior Avengers films, Thanos had the Black Order to aid his pursuit of the Infinity Stones. In a similar vein, Kang was expected to possess a cadre of followers, including significant villains like Rama-Tut, Centurion, and Immortus. With Kang sidelined, Doctor Doom will require his own cadre of formidable allies to confront the Avengers and other multiversal champions.
Based on leaks and speculations, RDJ’s Doctor Doom is set to unite a cadre of villains, paralleling Thanos’ approach. This group might consist of multiversal iterations of well-known characters, potentially even malevolent variants of the core Avengers. Envision a scenario where wicked versions of Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Captain America (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), and Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) ally with Doctor Doom. This would provide not only a stunning twist but also a nostalgic reference to the original Avengers roster.
## The Multiversal Masters of Evil
One of the most captivating rumors surrounding *Avengers: Doomsday* involves the possible introduction of the Multiversal Masters of Evil. This faction could act as Doctor Doom’s elite squad of minions, supplanting the Council of Kangs that was initially intended for *The Kang Dynasty*. According to leaker Alex Perez, the Barons from the comics might be reimagined as a multiversal villain team, with the chance of casting the original Avengers as malevolent counterparts.
This represents a daring strategy from Marvel, but it aligns well with the MCU’s recent emphasis on multiversal narratives. The *What If…?* series has already unveiled the notion of alternate versions of cherished characters, while *Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness* delved deeper into the concept of multiversal variants. Reviving the original Avengers as dark versions of themselves would not only elevate the stakes but also offer a fresh perspective on characters that fans have cherished for more than a decade.
## The Comeback of Cherished Characters
One of the most thrilling elements of this prospective villain roster is the return of characters who have been absent from the MCU. Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow, who made the ultimate sacrifice in *Avengers: Endgame*, might reemerge as an evil variant. Chris Evans’ Captain America, rumored to appear in *Doomsday* and *Secret Wars*, could also be back as a more sinister version of Steve Rogers.
These returns would certainly create massive buzz and enhance box office sales, particularly if Marvel manages to keep these revelations confidential until the films are released. The possibility of seeing RDJ, Johansson, and Evans sharing the screen once more—even in villainous roles—would be a dream realized for countless fans.
## The Economic Impact
Marvel’s decision to reintroduce RDJ as Doctor Doom was not solely a creative initiative, but also a financial consideration. According to insider Daniel Richtman, Marvel chose not to recast Kang due to the lack of enthusiasm surrounding the character. Instead, they selected RDJ as Doom to guarantee that *Avengers 5* would achieve box office success. This is a strategy that’s likely to yield substantial returns.
If the rumors regarding evil Avengers variants hold true, *Avengers: Doomsday* and *Secret Wars* could quite readily become some of the highest-grossing entries in the MCU.
