5 Marvel Characters Most Likely To Die In Avengers: Doomsday

Not to get too gloomy, but we've got a feeling that we're going to come out of "Avengers: Doomsday" with a shorter hero roster than we did going in. Such is the cost when Marvel Studios dishes out another character-crammed superhero showdown with a universe-ending threat — in this case, the magical-suit-wearing, vaguely Stark-sounding supervillain from another reality: Doctor Victor Werner von Doom (Robert Downey Jr.). With the baddie already seen deflecting Thor's hefty ax-hammer, Stormbreaker, in the trailer, it's clear Earth's Mightiest Heroes and those from neighboring worlds will have their hands full. But the question is, which ones won't be in the trenches as we head into "Avengers: Secret Wars"?

Having already compiled our favorite theories about "Avengers: Doomsday," we thought it only right to share our worst expectations for who might not make it to the end credits of the new MCU chapter. After reviewing all the footage we've seen so far, we've grown downright bleak about the worst-case scenarios and who will leave us with tears in our eyes — or rolling them at how completely unsurprised we are. All we ask is that when Doom brings down the thunder against the God of Thunder and more, don't say we didn't warn you. Also, who knows? Half the universe snapped back to reality a few years ago, so who's to say these deaths will be permanent? Remember, kids, this is a comic book world, after all.

We don't want to point fingers, but if one person were more likely than most to be snuffed by Doom in the next "Avengers" movie, it'd be the guy who has died three times already. The legendary Patrick Stewart, who brought Charles Xavier to life in 2000 with "X-Men," has seen his character die in "X-Men: The Last Stand" and "Logan," as well as a variant of himself biting the dust in "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness." Seeing the founder of the X-Men get offed has become almost mandatory, which makes us feel safe anticipating the same when he crosses paths with our heroes in December.

Based on the trailers so far, Xavier and his longtime frenemy, Magneto (Ian McKellen), are back on speaking terms just as their reality nears destruction. Stewart's stoic teacher will likely share his thoughts on the current catastrophe, as he did in the "Doctor Strange" sequel, before being thrown from his legendary wheelchair and dying in a pile of rubble. Is it a safe prediction? Incredibly. But it also feels like a solid bet that this will spur Magneto and the rest of the mutants to lose their collective cool with Doom, leading to the rumored massive battle between the Master of Magnetism and the Latverian leader. If that happens, the biggest challenge for the Russos, beyond pulling this whole film off, is getting us even slightly choked up watching a character die for the fourth time.

As far as we know, Sebastian Stan is playing a big role in Matt Reeves' "The Batman Part II," joining the long line of Hollywood stars who have appeared in both the DC and Marvel universes over the years. However, something tells us that his time in the MCU is coming to an end, and in the war against Victor, Bucky will lose his vibranium arm for the final time.

Charles might be an easy kill for Victor, but Bucky would be an emotional gut punch both for characters in this new chapter, and for fans of the former Winter Soldier who will have to sit through the ordeal. Let's not forget that Sebastian Stan joined the franchise at the same time as Chris Evans, but took all the stupid with him following the events of "Avengers: Endgame." It would be a lethal blow for Rogers, who would've only just returned to the fold to see his best friend go down, too.

As proven on numerous occasions, though, death isn't always permanent in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which is good, since Stan hopes to stick around for as long as the franchise will have him. At a Cannes Film Festival interview (via Comic Book Movie), Stan discussed his time in the MCU. "It's sort of like having a sibling you've never known you had, who you've spent 15 years with," he explained. "There's been a comfort there returning every few years, which hopefully I'll keep doing." We'd hope he does too, whether Doom rips him out of existence or not.

If we wanted an easy win in our bets for "Avengers: Doomsday," we'd predict that all the X-Men from their respective universe would bite the dust during Doom's onslaught, but where's the fun in that? More specifically, we're guessing the only major casualties in this reality are Charles Xavier and his good buddy with a helmet, Erik Lehnsherr, aka Magneto (Ian McKellen), after witnessing the former's death. Back in May, McKellen revealed that he was involved in a massive battle sequence in "Doomsday" in which he destroyed New Jersey (via The Wrap). We can only assume that going to such lengths would be out of desperation, a last-ditch effort by Erik against Doom. When you consider a battle of that magnitude (which may or may not include Sentinels), Victor is likely to come out on top.

Like Stewart, McKellen making a somber but awesome exit would feel fitting for the two founding fathers of a film franchise that has run for almost 30 years. Sure, James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender played their respective younger selves to perfection, but Stewart and McKellen have always been the go-to iterations for Xavier and Magneto. So why not give the originals one last hurrah they're more than worthy of, with the MCU's official X-Men on the horizon? And in the case of Magneto, it's apparently tearing apart New Jersey to give Doom some bother.

Loki's redemption story has easily been the greatest highlight of the post-Endgame era, so it would make for a cruel twist of the knife from the Russo brothers that, in their return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, they kill the God of Stories again just as they did in "Avengers: Infinity War." Only this time, they might put him down for good?

We already know Thor's adopted brother will play a big part in "Doomsday" since he appeared in the post-credit scene of "Avengers: Endgame – Encore." Turning up at Steve and Peggy's home with the pair now a very happy family, Loki was burdened with the terrible task of breaking the bad news that the former man out of time would be needed again. Steve might rightfully not want to shoot the messenger, but in the end, Doom might.

Given Doom's obsession with heroes living on borrowed time, it's understandable that one person would suffer his wrath, especially a character who, in one timeline, already died at Thanos' hands. If Loki does go, we'd prefer it be after he's reunited with his brother — who assumes Loki has been dead since the last time the universe was in danger — only for his heart to be ripped out again. Like many potential casualties from all this, seeing Loki back and then down for the count once more would undoubtedly bring us the classic angry god we love to see, and we're okay with Loki taking one for the team. Again.

As a madman who was something of a scientist himself once said, "First you attack the heart." By the sound of things, Victor will be in an incredibly vengeful mood when he goes up against the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, and anyone else in a costume who thinks they can put a dent in his armor. To show how serious he is from the get-go, though, he needs to bring down someone who would be a heartbreaker — and we hate to say it, but we think that the Red Guardian (David Harbour) would be an ideal fit for the gig.

He might claim he's as tough as Steve Rogers, but of all the main MCU contenders going up against this new villain, we don't think Alexei Andreovitch stands a chance. That won't stop him, of course. We think Doom will eventually show up at the New Avengers tower to draw out The Sentry (Lewis Pullman), and the first person to try to stop him will be Russia's super soldier. From there, we bet there are two ways he'll be killed off: either by Doom himself, or, in a worst-case scenario, Doom ticks The Sentry off enough to bring out The Void, who won't be able to tell friend from foe. Either way, it'll be one thing to spur on Yelena (Florence Pugh), who already lost a family member the last time the Earth was almost destroyed. Honestly, sometimes an ex-spy just can't catch a break.