In just over a year, Avengers: Doomsday (2026) will arrive in theaters, signaling the beginning of what’s expected to be the grand finale of Kevin Feige’s Marvel Cinematic Universe as we know it.Both Images Credit: Marvel StudiosFollowing the removal of Avengers: The Kang Dynasty from Marvel’s upcoming slate in light of Jonathan Majors’ (He Who Remains/Kang the Conqueror/Victor Timely) legal troubles, the studio quickly retooled its plans for the next era of the Multiverse Saga. The solution? Introducing one of Marvel’s most legendary villains–Victor Von Doom, better known as Doctor Doom.Announced during San Diego Comic-Con 2024, Feige revealed that Anthony and Joe Russo, filmmakers of Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and Avengers: Endgame (2019), will return to direct Avengers: Doomsday and its follow-up, Avengers: Secret Wars, slated for release in December 2027. It was later confirmed that Stephen McFeely would be taking over as scribe. The team replaced the previously announced duo of Destin Daniel Cretton (director) and Michael Waldron (writer).Credit: Marvel StudiosThe announcement that truly shook the crowd came when Feige confirmed that Robert Downey Jr., forever linked to Tony Stark/Iron Man, would return to the MCU–this time as Doctor Doom himself. The decision sparked intense fan debate, with some applauding the surprise twist and others voicing concern over both the character’s recasting and the erasure of Doom’s Romani background. Many also questioned whether using such a recognizable face in a villain role would impact the story’s believability, even within the sprawling Multiverse concept.Avengers: Doomsday is shaping up to rival its predecessors as one of the MCU’s biggest ensemble projects to date. Early plot details hint that the film could revisit one of Endgame’s most emotional moments–Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) and Peggy Carter’s (Hayley Atwell) reunion–potentially serving as the catalyst for Doom’s “Battleworld” plan.Credit: Marvel StudiosThe crossover event will unite characters across Marvel Studios and 20th Century Fox’s legacy franchises, expanding on the Multiversal connections teased in Shawn Levy’s Deadpool & Wolverine (2024). The ensemble includes Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic (Pedro Pascal), Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Professor Charles Xavier/Professor X (Patrick Stewart), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), and Sam Wilson/Captain America (Anthony Mackie).Avengers Writer ReplacedDuring a recent interview with The Wrap, Loki and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022) writer Michael Waldron offered some insight into his creative role in Avengers: Doomsday and its follow-up, Avengers: Secret Wars. Speaking candidly about his time developing the projects, Waldron revealed that his involvement began before any director officially joined the production.“I was writing the movie after that, but there wasn’t a filmmaker attached yet; I was just involved in all those conversations,” he said. “When that movie went away, I was working on what would become Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars for a time, and then they brought in the Russos and Steve McFeely.”Credit: Marvel StudiosOnce Anthony and Joe Russo came aboard alongside writer Stephen McFeely, Waldron shifted from leading the scripts to supporting the creative transition. “As those guys got in and wrapped their hands around what these movies were going to be, and [then] there was an opportunity for me to come back in and get to know Joe and Anthony and Steve and really just help however I could,” Waldron added. “That’s what I’m trying to do is just support them.”In true collaborative fashion, Waldron’s remarks highlight his ongoing connection to the expanding Multiverse Saga–this time as a guiding voice behind the scenes rather than the sole architect. His continued presence in Marvel Studios’ creative process reinforces just how integral his storytelling sensibilities remain to shaping the next chapter of the Avengers franchise.Credit: Marvel StudiosFirst Look at MCU’s Doctor DoomAlthough Doom made a brief post-credits appearance in The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025), fans recently got their first real glimpse at his new look thanks to promotional art revealed at the 2026 Merchandise Expo in China. CinXperience (@CinXperience) shared the artwork on social media.While other 20th Century Studios roles have carried over their original actors, Marvel Studios made the choice to recast Doctor Doom. Previously, Julian McMahon portrayed the character in Fantastic Four (2005) and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007), while Ross Marquand has voiced Doom in Marvel’s animated ventures.Credit: Marvel StudiosBoth Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars are being described not as an end to the Multiverse Saga but as a transition point meant to reinvigorate the franchise. The Russos and Feige have each teased that these films will introduce a new creative direction for the MCU, with Feige noting that a universe-wide “reset” is approaching, led by none other than the X-Men.Details surrounding the X-Men’s MCU debut remain tightly under wraps, but fans do know that Thunderbolts* (2025) filmmaker Jake Schreier will direct their highly anticipated introduction.How do you feel about the journey to Avengers: Doomsday? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments below!The post Marvel Rewrites ‘Avengers 5,’ Removed Star Speaks Out appeared first on Inside the Magic.