# Avengers: Secret Wars Spoilers: Doctor Doom’s Role in the Upcoming MCU Saga
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) keeps advancing, and enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating the forthcoming major entries in the *Avengers* franchise—*Avengers: Doomsday* and *Avengers: Secret Wars*. These two movies, scheduled for release in May 2026 and May 2027 respectively, will signify the conclusion of the *Multiverse Saga*. Despite considerable speculation about possible delays due to last year’s strikes and the controversies involving Jonathan Majors, Marvel has affirmed that these release dates are still firmly set.
One of the most thrilling announcements from Marvel is the return of Robert Downey Jr. (RDJ) to the MCU. However, he won’t be reprising his legendary role as Iron Man this time. Instead, RDJ will don the persona of one of Marvel’s most infamous antagonists—Doctor Doom.
## Doctor Doom: A New Role for RDJ
The revelation of RDJ portraying Doctor Doom has generated significant excitement and intrigue. Doctor Doom, a character mainly linked with the *Fantastic Four*, ranks among the most formidable and intricate villains in the Marvel Universe. His participation in *Avengers: Doomsday* and *Secret Wars* implies that he will be crucial to the developing multiverse narrative.
While numerous fans are speculating that RDJ’s Doctor Doom might be an alternate universe version of Iron Man, there is currently no official validation of this idea. Marvel is known for maintaining major plot details under wraps, and this could be a strategic approach to obscure Iron Man’s comeback. Nonetheless, for the time being, RDJ is officially Doctor Doom, and his depiction of the character is anticipated to be a vital aspect of the forthcoming films.
## The Inevitable Fate of Doctor Doom
As thrilling as RDJ’s return is, there is one spoiler that seems almost certain—Doctor Doom’s demise by the conclusion of *Secret Wars*. Considering the structure of the MCU and the essence of the *Avengers* films, it’s improbable that Doctor Doom will survive the events of *Secret Wars*.
Similar to *Infinity War* and *Endgame*, *Doomsday* and *Secret Wars* are anticipated to follow a comparable narrative trajectory. The Avengers will probably endure a devastating loss in *Doomsday*, only to gather and achieve victory in *Secret Wars*. As the primary villain, Doctor Doom will almost undoubtedly meet his end in the climactic confrontation, enabling the Earth-616 heroes to emerge victorious.
Furthermore, retaining RDJ as Doctor Doom beyond *Secret Wars* would impose a substantial financial burden on Marvel. RDJ ranks among the highest-paid actors in Hollywood, and although his return is a significant attraction for fans, it is unlikely that Marvel would persist in covering his considerable salary for future films. Additionally, RDJ may have aspirations to pursue other ventures following his role as Doctor Doom.
## Insider Speculation: Doctor Doom’s Future
Insider Alex Perez, recognized for his reliable MCU predictions, recently commented on the future of RDJ’s Doctor Doom during a Q&A session. When questioned about the possibility of Doctor Doom’s existence in the MCU post-*Secret Wars*, Perez suggested that RDJ’s interpretation of the character would not be around for an extended period. He hinted that while Doctor Doom might resurface at some point, it would probably be with a different actor in the role.
Perez’s insights resonate with the notion that *Secret Wars* will act as a soft reset for the MCU. Following the conclusion of the multiverse narrative, the MCU will need to incorporate new characters such as the *Fantastic Four* and the *X-Men*. This reboot will provide Marvel the chance to recast specific roles, including Doctor Doom, thus ensuring the franchise evolves without being anchored to RDJ’s portrayal.
## The MCU’s Soft Reboot
The finale of *Secret Wars* is anticipated to initiate considerable transformations within the MCU. As the multiverse tale wraps up, the MCU will likely undergo a soft reboot, resetting various elements of the universe while introducing fresh characters and story arcs. This reboot will facilitate Marvel’s introduction of the *Fantastic Four* and the *X-Men*, two legendary superhero teams yet to be fully incorporated into the MCU.
Perez speculated that this reboot would establish a new version of the multiverse, where certain occurrences from previous films are overlooked, while others leave lasting impacts. Characters like Doctor Strange and Deadpool might retain their memories of the multiverse happenings, but for the majority of the MCU’s heroes, it will seem as if nothing transpired. This reset will grant Marvel the flexibility to recast characters and introduce new plots without being restricted by the events of the *Multiverse Saga*.
## Conclusion: What’s Next for the MCU?
As we anticipate *Avengers: Doomsday* and *Secret
