Since Robert Downey Jr. will be debuting as Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday, the upcoming crossover movie could feature a battle between his new MCU villain and Tom Holland's Spider-Man, perhaps with a Venom-themed twist. The relationship between Downey Jr.'s Tony Stark and Holland's Peter Parker has been one of the MCU's most endearing since the latter's debut in 2016's Captain America: Civil War. Stark's death in Avengers: Endgame had a huge impact on Peter Parker, and this could be made even worse in the MCU's Phase 6.
Custom Image by Kai Young
Tom Holland hasn't yet been confirmed to be returning in Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars, but his return seems likely, given that Spider-Man is one of the MCU's most notable heroes. This could bring him into conflict with Doctor Doom, who looks exactly like his former mentor, and this battle has been imagined in art shared by James Gross.
This art imagines a twist for Spider-Man, however, as he faces Doctor Doom while sporting his Venom Spider-Man suit from Marvel Comics. This enhancement would be amazing to see in Marvel Studios' Avengers: Doomsday.
Why Avengers: Doomsday Is The Perfect Place For Doctor Doom & Venom Spider-Man’s Battle
Returning directing duo the Russo brothers seem to be wanting to adapt Marvel Comics' Secret Wars events from 1984 and 2015 somewhat faithfully in the MCU's Phase 6, which means Tom Holland's Spider-Man will see some huge developments. Spider-Man first gained his black alien costume in 1984's Secret Wars, which means him acquiring this suit in the live-action Avengers: Doomsday or Secret Wars would make a lot of sense. After Tom Hardy's cameo as Eddie Brock in Spider-Man: No Way Home, this is even more likely.
Ever since Robert Downey Jr. was confirmed to be playing Doctor Doom in the MCU at this year's SDCC presentation, the idea of him battling Spider-Man has been a hot topic of conversation. It will surely be heartbreaking for Tom Holland's Peter Parker to face a villain who has the same face as his deceased mentor and friend, Tony Stark. Doctor Doom and Spider-Man have battled several times in Marvel Comics, with Doom's sheer strength often besting the wall-crawler, so the MCU's Spider-Man will need some help to take on Doom in Phase 6.
If Avengers: Secret Wars is based primarily on 2015's Secret Wars event from Marvel Comics, then it's possible Avengers: Doomsday could be inspired by 1984's story of the same name. This makes the 2026 movie the perfect place for Spider-Man to merge with Venom, who may cross over from Sony's Spider-Man Universe, or continue his MCU journey after Spider-Man: No Way Home. This would put an incredible twist on Robert Downey Jr. and Tom Holland's MCU history, and would surely culminate in an epic and truly cinematic battle.
