Avengers 5 just got a brand new title, marking the official introduction of the Fantastic Four's biggest villain in the MCU, played by a very familiar actor.
What Is Avengers: Doomsday?
Avengers: Doomsday was announced at Marvel Studios' San Diego Comic-Con Hall H, with Robert Downey Jr. playing the almost-titular Doctor Doom.
This means that the Iron Man actor will make his return to the MCU but not as Tony Stark, and Doctor Doom will make his first appearance in the MCU but not in a Fantastic Four movie, leaving many fans confused, if still excited.
Avengers: Doomsday is, of course, a reference to the villain Doctor Doom, also known as Victor Von Doom. He is the monarch of the fictional European nation Latveria, which he typically tends to rule as a tyrant.
Doomsday in Marvel Comics
Downey's return to the MCU as Doom may be indicative of inspiration coming from the Infamous Iron Man comics, wherein Doctor Doom becomes Iron Man, akin to Doctor Octopus' foray as the Superior Spider-Man.
However, it is also extremely likely that there will be inspiration from Ultimate Comics Doomsday by Brian Michael Bendis. In this book comes the reveal that the Ultimate Universe's big bad is The Maker, a variant of Reed Richards.
Granted, The Maker is not the Ultimate Universe's version of Doctor Doom, so this is not meant to imply that Marvel is fully adapting The Maker but replacing Mr. Fantastic with Iron Man for a one-to-one story.
But, it is very likely that elements of this saga surrounding The Maker, especially given his existence as an evil version of someone with a very familiar face, will be incorporated into Avengers: Doomsday.
It will be worth considering where the Fantastic Four end after Fantastic Four: First Steps, as they will be appearing in both Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars.
Plus, The Maker and Doctor Doom both have major roles in the build-up to the Secret Wars comics by Jonathan Hickman (Secret Wars III) that will seemingly inspire Avengers: Secret Wars.
Avengers: Doomsday will hit theaters on May 1, 2026.
Read more from Hall H on The Direct:
Fantastic Four 2025 Movie Releases First Official Concept Trailer at SDCC
First Trailer for Marvel Studios' Thunderbolts Movie Released at Comic-Con
Who Is Marvel’s Sidewinder? Giancarlo Esposito’s Captain America Brave New World Villain Explained
Gillian Blum has been a writer at The Direct since 2022, reporting primarily from New York City. Though she covers news from across the entertainment industry, Gillian has a particular focus on Marvel and DC, including comics, movies, and television shows. She also commonly reports on Percy Jackson, Invincible, and other similar franchises.
