The highly anticipated crossover film Avengers: Doomsday will feature Spider-Man, but not Tom Holland’s version of the wall-crawler, marking a significant shift for longtime fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The Tom Holland Avengers Doomsday absence is drawing attention as Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man is set to step in, while Holland’s Peter Parker remains notably excluded from the confirmed roster of heroes expected to appear in this epic event.
Tobey Maguire Confirmed for Avengers: Doomsday
Avengers: Doomsday will showcase an ensemble of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, the Fantastic Four, and the X-Men, but for the moment, Tom Holland’s Spider-Man has not been named as part of the team. Instead, entertainment insider Daniel Richtman has reported that Tobey Maguire, who played Peter Parker (also known as Peter 2) in previous Spider-Man films, will return to the MCU in this movie. Maguire last appeared in Spider-Man: No Way Home, where his web-slinger was returned to his own universe at the film’s conclusion. His return in Doomsday marks only his second appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
This development comes as fans had anticipated seeing Holland’s Spider-Man continue his pivotal role in the MCU, since he has been a cornerstone character since debuting in the Infinity Saga. Although Holland is set to star in his own solo film, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, scheduled for July 2026, his absence from Doomsday has left some fans disappointed. Theories suggest that this might tie back to the events of No Way Home, where a spell erased Peter Parker’s identity, providing an in-universe explanation for why he might skip the Avengers’ first clash with the ominous Doctor Doom.
Speculation Around Maguire’s Appearance and Filming Details
Fueling rumors of Maguire’s involvement, a fan spotted him in London in September 2025, coinciding with Avengers: Doomsday’s filming at that location. This led many to believe Maguire may have already filmed his scenes by the time the film’s production wrapped later that month. If these accounts are accurate, his presence is not just rumor, but a well-planned return that may have significant implications for the movie’s plot.
Daniel Richtman’s report, which followed his earlier claim on October 9, 2025, explicitly stated that Tom Holland would not be involved in Doomsday. Still, Richtman noted that Holland’s iteration of Spider-Man remains lined up for a substantial role in Avengers: Secret Wars, which is planned for release in December 2027. As a result, fans may not have to wait too long before Holland’s Spider-Man returns to the MCU’s main narrative.
Chance for Tom Holland’s Potential Inclusion
Despite initial reports that Holland is excluded, there remains a possibility for his unexpected involvement in Doomsday following news of planned reshoots in Spring 2026. As Marvel Studios is known for making last-minute changes to their films, it is not entirely out of the question that Holland might film additional scenes or make a surprise appearance, especially given the complicated, shifting nature of multiverse storylines.
A Heroic Lineup and Star-Studded Cast
The confirmed cast of Avengers: Doomsday reads like a who’s who of modern superhero cinema. Directed by the Russo Brothers, the film features actors Florence Pugh, David Harbour, Simu Liu, Patrick Stewart, James Marsden, Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Robert Downey Jr., with Downey Jr. returning in the villainous role of Doctor Doom. The film is set for a worldwide theatrical release on December 18, 2026. Among the heroes teaming up for the coming battle, the presence of Tobey Maguire’s character introduces both nostalgia and intrigue for longtime fans.
Why Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man Might Be in the Story
The decision to bring back Maguire’s Peter Parker is likely rooted in multiversal plot mechanics. After No Way Home sent Maguire’s Spider-Man back to his own universe, the stage is set for a compelling reason to bring him into the fray. Some theories suggest that either God Loki or the Time Variance Authority (TVA) may recruit Maguire’s character, perhaps because his version of Earth is threatened by Doctor Doom’s actions on the Multiverse.
This elevated danger provides Peter Parker with a strong motivation for joining the battle—he is not only fighting for Earth’s Mightiest Heroes but also for his own universe’s survival. The chance for Maguire’s Spider-Man to interact with characters like Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards, James Marsden’s Cyclops, or Patrick Stewart’s Charles Xavier, underscores the potential for crossover moments that many fans have long wished to see.
The inclusion of Maguire’s Spider-Man could also naturally address the Tom Holland Avengers Doomsday absence, as his character would likely question why Earth-616’s Spider-Man is missing from the team. The logical flow of MCU’s multiverse storytelling provides opportunities to explore this absence through the narrative itself, potentially keeping Holland’s return a surprise for future installments such as Avengers: Secret Wars.
Possibilities for Maguire’s Role and Future Crossovers
While Maguire’s Spider-Man may face peril in the movie and could possibly be killed off, there is also a chance his character survives. This would set the stage for a highly anticipated reunion between the three live-action Spider-Men—Maguire, Holland, and Andrew Garfield—in Secret Wars, delivering another major event for audiences and cementing Maguire’s evolving contributions to the MCU’s overarching storyline.
The broader fan community remains energized by these developments, as Maguire’s involvement lends both legacy gravitas and unpredictability to Avengers: Doomsday. Whether he is part of a brief cameo or serves as an integral part of the mission against Doctor Doom, Maguire’s presence is sure to influence the trajectory of the MCU’s Multiverse Saga moving forward.
As anticipation builds for Avengers: Doomsday and its ever-growing cast of heroes and villains, the dynamic between returning favorites and the weight of Tom Holland’s ongoing absence will remain a source of speculation and excitement for Marvel fans. With potential reshoots and evolving narrative mysteries, audiences may yet see more surprises as the release date approaches.
