Spider-Man: No Way Home‘s ending set up a new direction for Tom Holland’s Peter Parker, but a major Avengers: Doomsday theory shows how the Marvel Cinematic Universe can walk back on that decision. After many complaints about the Multiverse Saga feeling directionless, Marvel Studios ditched Kang the Conqueror and his variants, choosing to cast Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom, the franchise’s new main villain. The character should appear in at least three upcoming MCU movies, with Doctor Doom reportedly set to debut in the Fantastic Four reboot before starring in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars.

Since Doom will reportedly only appear in a post-credits scene in the MCU’s Fantastic Four movie, the villain’s first major role in the franchise will come in Avengers: Doomsday‘s story. That movie will formally make him the biggest threat in the Multiverse Saga, and as such, the character will go up against many of the franchise’s heroes. This includes Tom Holland’s Spider-Man. However, Peter Parker should have a different reaction to meeting Doctor Doom when compared to most of the other Avengers, and a new theory shows how Spider-Man: No Way Home‘s ending can be affected by it.

Avengers: Doomsday Theory Has Doctor Doom Helping Peter Parker

The MCU Can Use RDJ’s Casting As A Story Element

Doctor Doom was the natural replacement for Kang the Conqueror when Marvel decided to drop Jonathan Majors and his MCU villain. However, no one expected the studio to go after Robert Downey Jr. for the role. The fact that the actor is famous for his Iron Man role has raised alarms, as that could mean Marvel is using the multiverse to make Doom a Tony Stark variant. However, that does not seem to be what is in play. When RDJ was revealed to play Doctor Doom, one of the directors of the next Avengers movies called him Victor von Doom.

Despite seemingly being Victor von Doom, due to RDJ’s casting, the Marvel villain inevitably has the same face as the MCU’s Iron Man. That should lead to some emotional moments when heroes who were close to Tony Stark discover the face hidden by Doctor Doom’s mask. One of the characters that is bound to have the biggest reaction to that reveal is Tom Holland’s Spider-Man, as Downey’s Iron Man was his mentor, and his death had a major impact on Peter Parker. A new Avengers: Doomsday theory has Doctor Doom exploiting that connection to his advantage.

Doom’s manipulation of Spider-Man could be the key to convincing other heroes that he is good in
Avengers: Doomsday
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According to the theory by Reddit user Fluid-Bell895, Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom could use his vast knowledge of magic — which the character could have in the MCU, just like in the comics — to reverse Doctor Strange’s spell. This way, Doom would be able to get Holland’s Spider-Man to trust him, as Peter would be happy to see all the MCU’s heroes and his loved ones remember who he is. That would effectively undo Spider-Man: No Way Home‘s ending, and Doom’s manipulation of Spider-Man could be the key to convincing other heroes that he is good in Avengers: Doomsday.

Doctor Doom Could Also Appear In Spider-Man 4

Tom Holland’s Next Spider-Man Movie Has Had Recent Updates

Through his possible manipulation of Spider-Man, Doctor Doom could end up victorious in Avengers: Doomsday. That move would certainly fall in line with the Russo Brothers’ past entries in the Avengers franchise. The duo, who will be directing Avengers: Doomsday & Secret Wars, had Thanos wipe out half of the universe at the end of Avengers: Infinity War before being defeated by the Avengers in Endgame. The same thing could happen in the next film of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. Like in the comics, Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom could successfully create Battleworld, ruling over multiverse characters.

If Avengers: Doomsday ends with Doctor Doom winning and creating Battleworld, then it would make a lot of sense for Downey’s MCU villain to appear in Spider-Man 4. After some recent updates, it has been revealed that Tom Holland’s Spider-Man 4 will be released on July 24, 2026. That means the film will be released between the Multiverse Saga’s two Avengers movies. If Avengers: Doomsday does end with the villain creating Battleworld, then Spider-Man 4 would most likely be set in that location. As such, Doctor Doom and Spider-Man could cross paths even if he is not the film’s villain.

The Doctor Doom Theory Explains A Spider-Man 4 Casting Update

An MCU Spider-Man Franchise Star Is Coming Back

Tom Holland’s Peter Parker chose not to tell Zendaya’s MJ about their relationship after Doctor Strange’s spell to keep her safe. Peter’s major Spider-Man: No Way Home decision seemed to be the kind of story that would fundamentally change the MCU’s Spider-Man franchise. However, Holland has revealed that he and Zendaya have read the Spider-Man 4 script. This was already enough of a tease that the actress would be appearing in the next Spider-Man film despite her character forgetting who Peter is. However, an even bigger update has come out, as Zendaya is reportedly closing a deal for Spider-Man 4.

Adding to that, Deadline reports that Zendaya and Holland have been involved in the creative process of the movie, which suggests the actress does not have a small role in Spider-Man 4. MJ’s return to the franchise does not make sense if Spider-Man: No Way Home‘s ending is kept intact. As such, Zendaya’s reported return assists the Avengers: Doomsday theory, as Doctor Doom helping Spider-Man reverse Doctor Strange’s spell would lead to MJ remembering her life with Peter. That could lead to the character once again playing a big role in Spider-Man 4, which looks to be the case.

The MCU Could Use Doctor Doom To Explain Why Spider-Man 4 Might Not Be Street-Level

There Are Conflicting Rumors About Spider-Man 4’s Story

With Spider-Man 4 set to enter production in the summer of 2025, the movie’s story should be revealed in the next few months. So far, no official updates have been released about Spider-Man 4‘s plot, though Holland has teased that the film will have a crazy story and attempt to do something different from the rest of the MCU’s Spider-Man franchise. Without a confirmation of where the movie is headed, several rumors have emerged about Spider-Man 4‘s story, suggesting that the street-level story set up by Spider-Man: No Way Home could be cast aside in favor of a multiverse setting.

That direction would fit with Holland’s story comments. Adding to that, if the Avengers: Doomsday theory is accurate, Doctor Doom reversing Doctor Strange’s spell would make everyone remember Peter Parker. That means there would be no reason for the character to be alone and in a dark place in Spider-Man 4. With the next Spider-Man movie’s placement in the Multiverse Saga, it makes more sense for the film to have multiverse elements than be a street-level story, and Avengers: Doomsday‘s ending could directly lead to that if Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom and Battleworld are involved.

All Announced Upcoming MCU Movies