Robert Downey Jr. is returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But this time, he is not playing Iron Man. He is playing Doctor Doom, one of the most dangerous villains in Marvel history. He will make his first appearance as the villain in Avengers: Doomsday, which releases on December 18, 2026. He will then return in Avengers: Secret Wars, scheduled for December 17, 2027.
The first full trailer for Avengers: Doomsday dropped on July 20, 2026. It showed Downey Jr. as Victor von Doom, wearing the green cloak and iron mask. Fans have been talking about this role change ever since it was announced at San Diego Comic-Con in 2024.
Doctor Doom is set to be the main villain of the Multiverse Saga. He is replacing Kang the Conqueror, who was dropped after actor Jonathan Majors was fired. But after Doom’s story ends, the MCU will need new villains to carry the franchise forward.
Here are five Marvel villains that could become the next big threats after Doctor Doom.
Annihilus Could Bring Cosmic Chaos
Annihilus is one of the most powerful cosmic villains in Marvel Comics. He comes from the Negative Zone, a dimension full of dangerous creatures. He rules this dimension and commands an army called the Annihilation Wave.
In the comics, Annihilus has fought against the Fantastic Four and the Guardians of the Galaxy. He uses a weapon called the Cosmic Control Rod, which gives him incredible power.
There are already rumors that Annihilus will appear in the MCU. Reports suggest he could be the main villain in the upcoming Nova series. Insider DanielRPK shared that Annihilus is expected to be the antagonist in that project. Other reports say he might not be a one-time villain. He could appear in multiple projects and become a major force in the cosmic side of the MCU.
If Annihilus enters the MCU, he could open the door to stories set in the Negative Zone. He could also set up a big cosmic event similar to the Annihilation comic storyline. His obsession with survival and conquest makes him a natural threat for future phases.
Magneto Could Lead the Mutant Era
Magneto is already confirmed to appear in Avengers: Doomsday. But many fans wonder if he could become the main villain in a future project.
Magneto is one of the most complex villains in Marvel Comics. He is a mutant who believes that mutants are superior to humans. He has fought against the X-Men many times, but he is not purely evil. His backstory as a Holocaust survivor gives him depth and makes him a layered character.
Marvel is planning to shift its focus to the X-Men after the Multiverse Saga ends. Rumors suggest that Phases 7, 8, and 9 could be the Mutant Saga. If that happens, Magneto could be one of the main villains of that era.
Some reports say Marvel is eyeing two X-Men villains to succeed Doctor Doom. Magneto could be one of them. He has been a major villain in the Fox X-Men movies, and a new version in the MCU could bring fresh energy to the character.
Molecule Man Could Control Reality Itself
Molecule Man, also known as Owen Reece, is one of the most powerful beings in Marvel Comics. His power is simple but terrifying. He can control molecules. Since everything in the universe is made of molecules, he can manipulate almost anything.
In the comics, Molecule Man plays a big role in the Secret Wars storyline. He is connected to the multiverse and his powers come from his cosmic connection to it. He can rearrange matter down to its atoms.
The multiverse is already a key part of the MCU’s current saga. After Doctor Doom, bringing in Molecule Man could allow the franchise to explore even more multiversal stories. The Avengers: Doomsday trailer shows Doctor Doom wielding immense power. Molecule Man’s power could be the next step for the franchise.
Molecule Man is not as famous as Doom or Thanos. But his power level makes him a serious threat. If the MCU introduces him, he could become one of the most dangerous villains the heroes have ever faced.
The Beyonder Could Bring Battleworld to Life
The Beyonder is a cosmic being with godlike power. In the original Secret Wars comic from 1984, he kidnapped heroes and villains and made them fight on a planet called Battleworld. He promised them their heart’s desire if they won.
The Beyonder has the power to destroy galaxies and alter reality. He is one of the most powerful characters in Marvel history.
There is a possibility that the Beyonder could be introduced in Avengers: Secret Wars. Some reports have even suggested that he could be the main antagonist of that movie. However, recent confirmations point to Doctor Doom being the primary villain of Secret Wars.
But even if the Beyonder does not appear in Secret Wars, he could still show up later. His backstory already interests many fans. If the MCU introduces him, he could become a major villain in future phases.
In the comics, Doctor Doom steals the Beyonder’s power and becomes God Emperor Doom. The MCU could follow a similar path, leading to an even bigger story after Doom’s defeat.
Diablo Could Bring Magic and Alchemy
Diablo, whose real name is Esteban Corazón de Ablo, is an alchemist and an enemy of the Fantastic Four. He was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby and first appeared in Fantastic Four #30 in 1964.
Diablo was a court alchemist in 9th century Saragossa. He is immortal and uses ancient experiments to gain power over his followers. He relies on alchemy and magic rather than modern technology.
In The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Diablo was mentioned as being active in Manhattan. Some fans felt the movie turned him into a throwaway joke. But in the comics, he is a powerful villain with god-tier potential.
Doctor Doom already brings a magical presence to the MCU. Diablo could enhance that aspect of the franchise. His connection to the Fantastic Four could pave the way for future storylines.
If the MCU gives Diablo a proper introduction, he could become a significant villain. His alchemy-based powers are different from the science and magic already seen in the MCU. This could make him stand out among other villains.
Other Villains Who Could Join the MCU
These five villains are not the only ones who could appear after Doctor Doom. Several other characters are also being discussed.
Mephisto is one of the most talked-about possibilities. He made his MCU debut in the Ironheart series. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has said that Mephisto will be “prominent” in the MCU going forward. Some fans believe Mephisto could be the true villain of the Multiverse Saga, pulling strings behind the scenes. He has a history with Doctor Doom in the comics, as he once trapped Doom’s mother’s soul in hell.
Apocalypse is another strong candidate. He is one of the most powerful mutants in Marvel Comics. He is immortal and believes in survival of the fittest. Rumors suggest that Marvel is considering Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson for the role. Apocalypse could be one of the main villains of the Mutant Saga.
Knull, the God of the Symbiotes, is also a possibility. He created the symbiotes, including Venom. He recently appeared in Venom: The Last Dance. Some rumors suggest he could be the main villain in Spider-Man 4.
The Maker is an evil version of Reed Richards from an alternate universe. He could be a contender to be the MCU’s next big villain after Doom.
Kingpin is already in the MCU and could become a major street-level villain. He could lead a group of villains in New York while cosmic threats are handled by the Avengers.
The Cabal is a villainous version of the Illuminati. It could include characters like Namor, the High Evolutionary, and Cassandra Nova.
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What Comes After the Multiverse Saga
The MCU is currently in its Multiverse Saga. Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars will close out this saga. After that, the franchise is expected to move into a new era focused on mutants.
An X-Men reboot is in development. Jake Schreier, who directed Thunderbolts, is attached to direct. Michael Lesslie, who wrote The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, is writing the screenplay. The movie is expected to release in 2028.
This new era could introduce many mutant villains. Magneto, Apocalypse, and Mister Sinister are all possibilities. The MCU could build a new saga around these characters, similar to how Thanos was built up over multiple phases.
Avengers: Doomsday will release on December 18, 2026. Avengers: Secret Wars will follow on December 17, 2027. Robert Downey Jr. will appear as Doctor Doom in both movies. After that, the MCU will need new villains to carry the franchise forward.
The five villains discussed here—Annihilus, Magneto, Molecule Man, the Beyonder, and Diablo—all have the potential to reshape the MCU. Each one brings something different. Annihilus brings cosmic chaos. Magneto brings mutant conflict. Molecule Man brings reality-altering power. The Beyonder brings godlike threats. Diablo brings magic and alchemy.
The MCU has a long history of making villains into memorable characters. Thanos became a cultural icon. Loki became a fan favorite. Doctor Doom is already generating massive buzz. The next generation of villains could do the same.
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