There are many heroes in theMCUwho we think will likely lose their lives in the battle against Doctor Doom in Phase 6’sAvengers: DoomsdayandAvengers: Secret Wars. After over a decade of playing Tony Stark’s Iron Man in the Infinity Saga, Robert Downey Jr. is set to make his return to the MCU as the villainous Doctor Doom in 2026.Doctor Doom is one of Marvel’s most significant, notable and powerful villains, so his debut is very exciting, but this could unfortunately spell bad news for several beloved MCU heroes.
A number of iconicMCU characters lost their livesduring the fight against Josh Brolin’s Mad Titan, Thanos, duringInfinity WarandEndgame, including Heimdall, Loki, Gamora, Vision, Natasha Romanoff and Tony Stark.It stands to reason that more heroes will be taken down by Doctor Doom inDoomsdayandSecret Wars, especially sinceRobert Downey Jr.’s new villainneeds to prove his strength and influence in the MCU’s Phase 6. Unfortunately, it seems some characters are more likely than others to lose their lives at Doctor Doom’s hands.
10Clint Barton’s Hawkeye
Hawkeye’s Death Could Inspire The MCU’s Young Heroes
Avengers: Endgamesaw two members of the original Avengers team sacrifice themselves to defeat Thanos, while a third retired, leaving only Thor, Bruce Banner and Clint Barton surviving in the MCU’s current timeline.It seems likely that one or more of these original superheroes will be taken down by Doctor Doom in Phase 6, and Hawkeye would be a perfect candidate. While it would be a tragic loss for the MCU and for his family,Hawkeye’s death inDoomsdayorSecret Warscould inspire the new generation of heroes, namely Kate Bishop.
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It would make a lot of sense for Kate Bishop to finally bring together theMCU’s Young Avengers teamin an effort to avenge the death of Clint Barton, who became her mentor during 2021’sHawkeyeseries. Following Jeremy Renner’s 2023 snowplow accident and his subsequent recovery, it’s unclear whether he’d want to stick around in the MCU for much longer.Clint Barton could get a hero’s death in Phase 6, sacrificing himself to make way for new heroes, with perhaps even some of his own children stepping in to take his place.
9Hank Pym & Janet Van Dyne
After reuniting in 2018’sAnt-Man and the Waspand embarking on an adventure in the Quantum Realm together in 2023’sAnt-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania,now may be the perfect time for Hank Pym and Janet van Dyne to meet their ends in the MCU. In February 2023, Michael Douglas revealed he’d only return to the MCU if Hank Pym"could die"(viaTHR), and he later revealed he’d asked to get a"serious"death inQuantumania(viaEntertainment Weekly), but this didn’t come to pass. Doctor Doom’s debut presents the perfect opportunity forMichael Douglas to get his wish.
Killing Hank Pym and Janet van Dyne, who have already had their time as classic versions of Ant-Man and the Wasp, would be a quick and easy way for Doctor Doom to prove his strength inDoomsdayorSecret Wars. This would also seriously motivate Scott Lang’s Ant-Man to leap into battle, especially if Hope van Dyne’s Wasp is also killed off followingEvangeline Lilly’s retirement from acting.Michael Douglas doesn’t seem to want to portray Hank Pym for much longer, but he could still get a valiant death in the MCU’s Phase 6.
8Rhodey’s War Machine
War Machine’s Battle Against Doctor Doom Would Be Very Emotional
The fact that it’s Robert Downey Jr. who will be bringing Doctor Doom to life in Phase 6 creates some wild opportunities for Marvel Studios. It would be great to see how many heroes react when battling a villain with the face of their former teammate, ally and friend, and this would be extremely powerful ifDon Cheadle’s Rhodeyis put in the spotlight.Rhodey has been Tony Stark’s best friend for many years, so seeing him fight Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom as War Machine would be poignant and emotional, and this could end in tragedy for the armored hero.
Don Cheadle is expected to reprise the role of James “Rhodey” Rhodes, a.k.a. War Machine, inArmor Wars, his debut solo feature film in the MCU, but there have been no updates regarding this project since September 2022, so the movie’s status is unclear.
Rhodey’s future in the MCU has been uncertain after his controversial spin in the MCU’s Phase 4.The Falcon and the Winter Soldierset him up to have cameo appearances in a number of subsequent projects, but 2023’sSecret Invasioninstead revealed that Rhodey had been replaced by the Skrull Raava, seemingly before the events ofInfinity WarandEndgame. Withupdates regardingArmor Warshaving fallen silent, it would be great to see Rhodey’s War Machine given a powerful and intense death at the hands of a villain with the appearance of his late friend.
7Wong
Wong’s Death Could Give Doctor Strange A Huge Promotion
Benedict Wong’s Wong has become a firm fan-favorite since his debut in the MCU back in 2016’sDoctor Strange, so his death at the hands of Doctor Doom would hopefully just be temporary. However, Wong’s death could have a huge impact on the MCU, and one hero in particular, asthe removal of the current Sorcerer Supreme could allow Doctor Strange to finally assume this formidable role.Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnessmade several quips aboutWong replacing Strange as Sorcerer Supremefollowing the latter’sInfinity Wardeath, but the MCU can now redeem this change.
10 Marvel Storylines The MCU Could Explore For Wong’s Return
Benedict Wong has recently teased his return to Marvel Studios as Wong, and several potential MCU storylines would be perfect for Wong’s return.
There has also been speculation that Robert Downey Jr.‘sDoctor Doom could harbor magical abilitiesinAvengers: DoomsdayandSecret Wars, just as he does in Marvel Comics. He could acquire some of this power from Wong, and perhaps even usurp him as Sorcerer Supreme after dispatching him.Displaying the power to take down the Sorcerer Supreme would prove that Doctor Doom is a major threat to Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, which would be shocking and unexpected in Phase 6, and would hopefully be reversed, as we wouldn’t want to lose Wong.
6Shuri’s Black Panther
Marvel Is Rumored To Be Introducing A New Black Panther
Following the tragic passing of Chadwick Boseman in 2020, the decision was made to write T’Challa out of 2022’sBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever. A year after he succumbed to an undisclosed illness,Shuri successfully created a synthetic heart-shaped herb and enhanced herself with its vibranium-empowered gifts, becoming Wakanda’s new Black Panther, but it seems her time as the legendary superhero may be short-lived. Recent reports suggestMarvel will recast T’Challa’s Black Panther(viaThe Insneider), meaning Shuri could be on the chopping block when facing Doctor Doom.
With Marvel reshuffling the deck in advance ofAvengers: DoomsdayandAvengers: Secret Wars, and Robert Downey Jr. coming back not as Iron Man but as Doctor Doom, I’m told that the door is firmly open for T’Challa to be recast via the magic of the multiverse… I heard that an actor was actually offered the role this past fall, a couple of months after Downey’s big reveal at Comic-Con, but they turned it down, not wanting to jeopardize their career momentum by stepping into Boseman’s gigantic shoes, which may be too big to fill, even for Hollywood’s most talented Black actors… Now, it’s unclear whether T’Challa will appear inAvengers: Doomsday, orAvengers: Secret Wars, but I think it’s fair to assume that whoever is cast as the character will reprise the role inBlack Panther 3, which has been discussed by everyone from Ryan Coogler to Denzel Washington.
Doctor Doom has waged war on Wakanda numerous times in Marvel Comics, leading to the Latverian ruler forming a notable rivalry with the Black Panther. This could easily be depicted in the MCU if Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom invades Wakanda and leads an assault against Shuri’s Black Panther, which could culminate in her demise. This would create the perfect opportunity forMarvel Studios to introduce a new T’Challafrom across the multiverse, though it would be a shame to lose Shuri so soon after she became a bona fide superhero.
5Nick Fury
Nick Fury Has Been In The MCU Since The Beginning
Samuel L. Jackson hasn’t yet been confirmed to be reprising his role ofNick Fury, the former Director of SHIELD, in Phase 6, but it seems likely that he will come back, given his connections to many of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.The original Avengers team came together under the watchful eye of Nick Fury, but the character’s more recent MCU adventures haven’t been so well-received.Secret InvasionandThe Marvelsbecame two of the MCU’s biggest disappointments, which, while surprising for the latter, could lead to Nick Fury’s MCU tenure finally coming to an end.
Nick Fury formed a special connection with Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark in thepost-credits scene of 2008’sIron Man, and the pair shared many jokes in the following years.It would be great to see Samuel L. Jackson and Downey Jr. come face-to-face again inDoomsdayorSecret Wars, this time as Nick Fury and Doctor Doom, respectively. Given Nick Fury’s influence and tenure, it would make sense for Doom to want to remove him from the equation, weakening the world’s heroes, so tragedy could be on the horizon for this iconic MCU hero.
4Wade Wilson’s Deadpool
Deadpool’s Death Has Already Been Seen In The MCU
Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool finally joined the MCUin 2024’sDeadpool & Wolverine, and while he hasn’t been announced to be returning forAvengers: DoomsdayorSecret Wars, the movie’s success makes his return almost inevitable. Luckily,even if Deadpool is killed by Doctor Doom, he can simply regenerate and spring back into action, which means it’s very likely Downey Jr.’s new villain will take down the Merc with a Mouth. In fact, we might have already seen this moment play out in the MCU, asDeadpool & Wolverineprovided a hilarious glimpse of the future.
Deadpool & Wolverineconfirmed that the universe featured in 20th Century Fox’sX-Menfranchise, dubbed Earth-10005, is canon to the MCU, which could allow even more FoxX-Mencharacters to return inAvengers: DoomsdayandSecret Wars.
After being taken to the Time Variance Authority inDeadpool & Wolverine,Wade Wilson sees a moment from a"distant future"in which Thor cries over his bleeding and broken body.Archive footage from 2013’sThor: The Dark Worldwas used for this moment, with Deadpool taking the place of a dying Loki, but this could have easily taken place in an alternate timeline across the multiverse that may be explored inAvengers: DoomsdayorSecret Wars. While Thor may believe Deadpool’s death to be permanent, audiences know otherwise.
3Johnny Storm’s Human Torch
Johnny Storm’s Death Has Precedence In Marvel Comics
Joseph Quinn is set to make his MCU debut asJohnny Storm’s Human Torch in 2025’sThe Fantastic Four: First Steps, which has also been speculated to feature the first appearance of Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom. The Fantastic Four and Doctor Doom are archenemies in Marvel Comics, so it would be great to see this depicted in the live-action MCU, and this could culminate in one of the Fantastic Four’s most emotional losses.Johnny Storm has died a number of times in Marvel Comics, including during 2015’sSecret Warsevent, so this could easily occur in the MCU.
Johnny Storm’s deaths in Marvel Comics have always been temporary, which means that,even if he is taken down by Doctor Doom in Phase 6, Joseph Quinn could still reprise the role in the MCU’s future. This could, however, allowPeter Parker’s Spider-Man to join the Fantastic Four, as he takes the Human Torch’s place in 2011’sFF #1. Johnny Storm’s upcoming debut as part of Marvel’s First Family inThe Fantastic Four: First Stepsis very exciting, but tragedy could be on the horizon for the young superhero.
2Peter Parker’s Spider-Man
RDJ’s Doctor Doom Killing Tom Holland’s Spider-Man Would Be Huge For The MCU
Similarly to him coming face-to-face with Rhodey inAvengers: DoomsdayorSecret Wars, it would be great to seeRobert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom face off against Tom Holland’s Spider-Man. Following Peter Parker’s debut in 2016’sCaptain America: Civil War, he became a firm admirer and steadfast mentee of Tony Stark, culminating in some emotional moments when the pair met their respective demises inInfinity WarandEndgame.This would be underlined in Phase 6 if Spider-Man meets Doctor Doom, who looks exactly like his deceased mentor, and would be even worse if this is the last face he sees.
Doctor Doom Theory Explains How Spider-Man Could Be Crucial To Robert Downey Jr’s MCU Return
According to a Doctor Doom theory, Deadpool & Wolverine might have already revealed how Tom Holland’s Spider-Man could connect to RDJ’s MCU return.
Of course,it’s unlikely that Tom Holland’s Peter Parker will die permanently inAvengers: DoomsdayorSecret Wars, but he could easily be taken down temporarily by Doctor Doom. This could perhaps allow anew Spider-Man, such as Miles Morales, to step into Parker’s shoes for a time, which could expand the MCU’sSpider-Manfranchise massively. Tom Holland is expected to appear in a new MCU trilogy, beginning withSpider-Man 4in 2026, but seeing him die and be resurrected alongside a new Spider-Man would introduce a wild dynamic for his upcoming stories.
1Thor
Thor’s Future In The MCU Is Uncertain
Chris Hemsworth’s Thor has had quite a journey in the MCU since his debut in 2011’s eponymousThor. While he is currently the only superhero to get four solo MCU feature films (this will soon change),not all of Thor’s adventures have been well-received, and 2022’sThor: Love and Thunderwas a new low for the God of Thunder.Love and Thunderwas very divisive, which may have thrownThor’s future in the MCUinto jeopardy, so just as how original Avenger Hawkeye could meet his end inAvengers: DoomsdayorSecret Wars, so could Thor.
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Deadpool & Wolverine(Archive Footage)
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There has been speculation of Marvel Studios developingThor 5, which would presumably release afterAvengers: DoomsdayandAvengers: Secret Wars, hinting at Thor’s survival, but this hasn’t yet been announced.It’s very possible that Doctor Doom could show his strength in Phase 6 by dispatching one of the MCU’s most formidable and powerful superheroes. Kang the Conqueror revealed he had killed a variant ofThor inAnt-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, and Doctor Doom could bring this prophecy to life, marking a heroic end for Chris Hemsworth in the MCU.
Avengers: Doomsday
Cast
Avengers: Doomsday is the fifth Avengers film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and will bring together heroes, new and old, to face off against Victor von Doom - played by the returning Robert Downey Jr.. Avengers 5 will also mark the beginning of phase 6 of the MCU.
Avengers: Secret Wars
Avengers: Secret Wars is an anticipated installment in Phase 6 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, serving as the finale of The Multiverse Saga. Scheduled for release in December 2027, the film’s plot remains under wraps, fueling curiosity about its role in the expansive Marvel narrative.
