Apart from Robert Downey Jr. playing Victor Von Doom in Avengers: Doomsday, Disney hasn't cast many other villains in the upcoming film. Rather than focus on several big baddies, the next Avengers film serves as the backdrop for another Civil War-style event. Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) was last seen fighting the Thunderbolts over the use of the Avengers' trademark, suggesting that a good portion of the movie will showcase the two teams battling for control. However, something more sinister may be afoot.
A recent Instagram post by actor Simu Liu depicts him alongside his Doomsday co-stars as they attend a screening of The Thunderbolts. Not everyone is present, but the people in the photo form an interesting collaboration.
The group consists of RDJ standing in the background with his arms draped over Winston Duke and Channing Tatum's shoulders. In front of him is Ant-Man actor Paul Rudd, while Simu Liu, Chris Hemsworth, and Anthony Mackie stand off to the side.
They're just hanging out like a group of friends about to see a movie, except those images promoting Marvel projects always seem to foreshadow coming events. Our theory is that this is the team that'll stand by Dr. Doom's side. Let's explain.
Where Is Doom's Team?
Avengers: Doomsday is unlikely to feature a team of ten-plus heroes against one villain; it simply can't. Doom (RDJ) will need lackeys or some form of henchmen to assist him in his quest for world domination. The heroes alongside RDJ in the above image aren't likely to "break bad," as their histories demonstrate a positive track record. But such an argument may be irrelevant if Doom's guys hail from the same universe as him.
While it's still unsubstantiated, the most popular explanation for Doom's sudden appearance is that he travels from another universe to the Sacred Timeline. Assuming such a theory proves true, he'd presumably bring a team with him to the new universe. And the MCU is no stranger to variants.
Taking those two things into account, Doom standing with variants of Earth-616's heroes doesn't sound far-fetched at all. For instance, Paul Rudd has played the comedic relief throughout his MCU career, and it's about time that he showcases his range of talent. As a villain, he'd have the opportunity to demonstrate his ability to portray a compelling antagonist.
Moreover, dark versions of Shang-Chi, Thor, Gambit, and Sam Wilson could drastically alter the expectations fans have for Avengers: Doomsday. While audiences expect the world to fall into chaos, few people expect variants of Earth's Mightiest Heroes to be key members of Victor Von Doom's group.
Avengers: Doomsday premieres in theaters on December 18, 2026.