TheMCUmay be setting up a fight between Tom Holland’s Spider-Man and Robert Downey Jr’s Doctor Doom inAvengers: Secret Wars, putting a new twist on a classic Spidey storyline.Spider-Man 4was recently confirmedwith Destin Daniel Cretton set to direct and Holland expected to return. Marvel is likely reintroducing Spider-Man so he can play an important role in the next Avengers team-up.Spider-Man 4doesn’t currently have a release date, so it’s unknown if he will return before or afterAvengers: Doomsday, but he’ll likely be in2027’sAvengers: Secret Wars.
His return means it’s possible that he could go toe-to-toe with Downey Jr’s Doctor Doom, a possible variant of Tony Stark. It will be Peter’s first time seeingTony since his death inAvengers: Endgame, and it could be tough for Peter to fight someone who looks exactly like his old mentor. However, Spider-Man has a long history of battling villains with whom he has a personal relationship, and Downey Jr’s Doctor Doom would repeat a common storyline within this franchise.
Spider-Man Would Fight Another Mentor Figure With Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom
One of the most unfortunate aspects of Peter Parker’s life is that many of the people he knows turn into his villains, especially his mentors. In 2002’sSpider-Man, Norman Osborn turns into the Green Goblin, forcing Peter to take down someone he saw as a father figure.The same thing happened inSpider-Man 2when Peter had to fight Otto Octavius, whose scientific mind was corrupted after becoming Doctor Octopus.The Amazing Spider-Manrepeated this theme as Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man fought Dr. Curt Connors, who transformed into The Lizard.
10 MCU Heroes Who Could Take Down RDJ’s Doctor Doom In Avengers: Secret Wars
RDJ’s Doctor Doom will be the villain of the next two Avengers movies, and only a select group of heroes could defeat him in Avengers: Secret Wars.
Holland’s Spider-Man has been fortunate to avoid this dilemma, the closest being missing homecoming to send his date’s father to jail.Fighting Downey Jr’s Doctor Doom would force Holland’s Spider-Man to confront his old mentor, similar to what other Peter Parkers had to do. WhileDoctor Doom isn’t the same character as Tony Stark, seeing a character who resembles Tony will trigger a strong emotional reaction from Peter, who is still trying to move away from Tony’s shadow.
Fighting Doctor Doom Is The Perfect Way To Move Peter Parker’s Story Forward
The “Home” trilogy was essentially an extended version of Spider-Man’s origin story. One of the main criticisms of this trilogy was thatPeter Parker often felt like Iron Man Jrand audiences wanted to see a more independent Spider-Man.Spider-Man 4will likely show Peter developing more autonomy as a hero, but fighting Tony, or a character resembling Tony, is a great way to develop Peter’s character. It’s a way for him to put the past behind him and show how he could outsmart his old mentor.
Additionally, Peter has faced a lot of recent tragedies, including Tony’s death, Aunt May’s death, and the loss of his relationship with MJ. It will be difficult for him to move on from recent events, but getting involved with the Avengers again to defeat Doctor Doom inAvengers: Secret Warsmay be what Peter needs to move forward and show his worth as a superhero. There are plenty of storytelling avenues that Marvel can explore with Spider-Man fighting Downey Jr, and besides that, it would be awesome to see.
Avengers: Secret Wars
Cast
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.
