The new Avengers: Doomsday poster, shared by Marvel Studios during Comic-Con Malaga, immediately captured the attention of fans, not just for its ominous depiction of Dr. Doom, but for the trio of cloaked figures accompanying him. These characters, referred to as the "Witches of Latveria," have been a subject of intrigue since their costumes and masks were first exhibited at San Diego Comic-Con earlier this year. Their prominent placement on the poster suggests they will play a crucial role in the upcoming film, which is slated for a December 18 release.
Speculation is rampant regarding the true identities of these sorceresses. Many fans are convinced that familiar faces from across the Marvel Cinematic Universe are hidden beneath their masks, a theory largely fueled by the color schemes associated with each figure. The prevailing predictions, as reported by Allocine, suggest that the red-clad witch could be Wanda Maximoff, reprised by Elizabeth Olsen, whose Scarlet Witch persona has wielded immense power within the MCU. The purple-garbed figure is theorized to be Clea, a powerful sorceress introduced at the end of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, played by Charlize Theron. Rounding out the trio, the green-attired witch is believed to be Sylvie, the variant of Loki portrayed by Sophie DiMartino in the Disney+ series Loki.
These theories gain significant traction given that Wanda, Clea, and Sylvie are all established figures with deep connections to the multiverse, a concept central to the current phase of the MCU. The film is expected to delve further into "incursions"—the catastrophic collisions and destructions of parallel worlds—providing a narrative framework that could allow for the integration of characters from different Marvel iterations, such as the X-Men from the 2000s films, the original MCU heroes, and even the Fantastic Four. The possibility of these witches being variants of the aforementioned characters also remains a strong contender, offering Marvel Studios ample opportunity to surprise audiences.
Adding to the film's intrigue is the surprising casting confirmation for Dr. Doom. Allocine reports that none other than Robert Downey Jr. will portray the iconic villain, a revelation that recontextualizes his return to the MCU in a major way after his pivotal role as Iron Man. Directors Joe and Anthony Russo, who are at the helm of Avengers: Doomsday, have previously hinted that the full cast has yet to be revealed, further fueling anticipation. They also confirmed that a new trailer is on its way, which could potentially offer more clues or even major reveals, much like the first teaser for a previous Marvel film unveiled Chris Evans' return as Captain America.
As Marvel Studios prepares for the December release, the challenge will be to maintain the secrecy surrounding these key characters. The official tweet from Marvel Studios playfully noted, "Witching season has arrived. Avengers: Doomsday arrives in theaters everywhere December 18. Get tickets now," emphasizing the magical theme. Whether the studio manages to keep the identities of Dr. Doom's sorcerous allies under wraps until the premiere, or if the next trailer will pull back the curtain, remains to be seen. Either way, Avengers: Doomsday is shaping up to be a pivotal and surprise-filled entry in the Marvel saga.