Avengers: Doomsday could bring back a major Marvel villain from the dead – and reunite us with a former Spider-Man

11 hours ago 7
Robert Downey Jr wearing a green suit and sunglasses during Marvel's Hall H panel at San Diego Comic-Con 2024
Two more actors might join Robert Downey Jr as part of Doomsday's cast (Image credit: Jesse Grant/Stringer/Getty Images)

  • Two new Avengers: Doomsday cast rumors have emerged online
  • The Marvel movie might bring a major villain back from the dead
  • It could also include an appearance from a fan-favorite Spider-Man star

Avengers: Doomsday might include two characters who've yet to be announced as part of its cast.

Over the weekend (November 15-16), a couple of new rumors circulated online that suggested the Doomsday's initial 27-strong cast may have grown during its ongoing development.

Potentially big spoilers immediately follow for Avengers: Doomsday. Turn back now if you don't want any surprises ruined ahead of time.

Robert Downey Jr sitting in a chair and holding a finger to his lips during Marvel's Avengers: Doomsday cast reveal

Possible Doomsday spoilers follow from now on! (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

The first piece of gossip concerns Thanos, aka the Big Bad of the Marvel Infinity Saga that ran from 2008 to 2019. The Mad Titan, who was played by Josh Brolin, died in Avengers: Endgame, but it sounds like Brolin's time in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) may not be over.

In an interview with Entertainment Tonight (ET) Online that was originally posted on November 10 but didn't gain traction until a few days later, Brolin implied that he'd back as Thanos in a forthcoming Marvel movie.

"If Joe Russo [one of Doomsday's directors] comes to me, which he may have, I don't know, and has an idea, then I might acquiesce, probably pretty quickly," Brolin teased.

Josh Brolin might be dropping hints about a potential Thanos return in an upcoming ‘MCU’ Avengers movie 👀 pic.twitter.com/UMUML9RHBbNovember 10, 2025

Now, that doesn't confirm that Brolin is involved in Avengers: Doomsday. Equally, it doesn't mean he'll be back for another Marvel Phase 6 project, such as the aforementioned flick's sequel Avengers: Secret Wars.

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That said, an appearance from Thanos would allow the Russo brothers to recreate one of the most memorable scenes in any Marvel comic book. Said incident, which occurs in issue 8 of 2015's 'Secret Wars' comic series, sees Doctor Doom – in his God Emperor form – kill Thanos by ripping out his spine.

It's a scene that would be too graphic to show in Doomsday, i.e., a Marvel film that'll likely receive a PG-13 / 12+ age rating ahead of release. Nonetheless, it would sell how powerful Robert Downey Jr's Doom is if he makes light work of the only supervillain who's defeated the Avengers so far in the MCU. Any chance we could see a more family-friendly version of this scene instead, Marvel?

Is Tobey Maguire in Avengers: Doomsday?

 no way home

Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man is the latest superhero to be linked with a role in Avengers: Doomsday (Image credit: Sony Pictures)

The other rumor – one that's as equally compelling – revolves around an appearance from Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man.

According to industry insider DanielRPK (thanks to the AvengersUpdated X/Twitter fan account for the spot), Maguire's Peter Parker is reportedly going to show up in Avengers 5, too.

It's worth taking this piece of speculation with a giant pinch of salt for the time being, though. Sure, Doomsday is the first installment of a two-part story that'll bring Marvel's Multiverse Saga to a close. The chances of Maguire's beloved take on the infamous webslinger appearing in another MCU flick, then, are pretty high.

For me, though, Maguire's next – and potentially final – outing as the wallcrawler would be a better fit for Secret Wars. Its predecessor should focus on setting up Downey Jr's Doom as an unstoppable force who, depending on who you ask, will save or destroy the multiverse. Secret Wars should then be about Earth's Mightiest Heroes banding together with other heroes from other cinematic franchises, including Maguire's Spidey, defeating Doom ahead of the MCU's soft reset.

But, what do you think? Do you want Thanos and/or Maguire's Spider-Man to turn up in Avengers: Doomsday? Let me know in the comments.

Once you have, read about when Doomsday's first trailer might be released. Then, find out everything we know so far about Avengers: Doomsday.


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As TechRadar's senior entertainment reporter, Tom covers all of the latest movies, TV shows, and streaming service news that you need to know about. You'll regularly find him writing about the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and many other topics of interest.

An NCTJ-accredited journalist, Tom also writes reviews, analytical articles, opinion pieces, and interview-led features on the biggest franchises, actors, directors and other industry leaders. You may see his quotes pop up in the odd official Marvel Studios video, too, such as this Moon Knight TV spot.

Away from work, Tom can be found checking out the latest video games, immersing himself in his favorite sporting pastime of football, reading the many unread books on his shelf, staying fit at the gym, and petting every dog he comes across.

Got a scoop, interesting story, or an intriguing angle on the latest news in entertainment? Feel free to drop him a line.

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