Anthony Mackie is laying down the law as Captain America! The Marvel star has some fighting words for Robert Downey Jr. as he makes his return to the MCU as Doctor Doom.

Ever since it was announced that Robert Downey Jr. would be playing Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars, almost every Marvel star under the sun has stated they wanted to take a crack at him. From Ironheart star Dominique Thorne, to Sebastian Stan, to even Wongers himself Benedict Wong!

Anthony Mackie is the latest hero to throw his hat into the ring. The actor seems to be vying for a fist-to-face reunion between Captain America and the Iron Man actor turned Man in the Iron Mask. When asked about the possibility of fighting Robert Downey Jr. in Avengers: Doomsday, Mackie joked that the actor has deserved a whooping since before he ever took on the mantle of Doctor Doom!

“Robert Downey Jr. has had his a**-kicking coming for a long time,” Mackie explained in a recent chat with Nerdbunker. “And I’m very proud to say he [is] going to get it!”

Will Anthony Mackie Lead Avengers: Doomsday?

Anthony Mackie’s comments seem to suggest he plans to lead the charge against Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday. This plays into many fans’ assumptions that Mackie’s Captain America would be taking up the role as the de facto leader of the Avengers in the absence of Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans, especially given he’s one of the only suitable candidates that has also led a team in the past, unlike Captain Marvel and Spider-Man.

A clash between Anthony Mackie’s Captain America and Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom would be a watershed moment for the MCU. It would truly be a passing of the guard from the old cast to the new, especially given the rocky start Marvel Studios has had to their new era in the Multiverse Saga.

Captain America: Brave New World is currently slated to hit theaters on February 14, 2025. Stay tuned for the latest news regarding the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more content!