Warning: This article contains spoilers for Agatha All Along episode 6, “Familiar By Thy Side.”
Marvel Studios has introduced an exciting character inAgatha All Alongwho could have a connection to Doctor Doom in theMCU, perfectly explaining his upcoming debut. Robert Downey Jr. was confirmed to be rejoining the MCU as Doctor Doom at this year’s SDCC, set to become the primary antagonist of Phase 6’sAvengers: DoomsdayandSecret Wars. However, it’s possibleDoctor Doom could make his first MCU appearancesooner than these crossover events, and Marvel Studios may have already introduced a character who can reveal how.
As one of Marvel’s most notable and powerful supervillains,Doctor Doom’s debut in the MCUis very exciting, and there has been a huge amount of speculation about when this could happen. While some believeThe Fantastic Four: First Stepswould be a great place to introduce Doctor Doom, it seemsMarvel Television’sAgatha All Alongseries could also bring the villain into live-action. By introducing the ancestor of one ofAgatha All Along’sformidable witches, Marvel Studios may be presented with the perfect opportunity to tease Doctor Doom much sooner than anyone expected.
Lilia Calderu Is A Descendant Of Cagliostro In Marvel Comics
Patti LuPone Portrays Sicilian Witch Lilia Calderu In Agatha All Along
Surprisingly, Doctor Doom could be established as having a connection to Lilia Calderu, who made her MCU debut inAgatha All Along. Played by Patti LuPone,Lilia Calderu was introduced inAgatha All Alongas a 450-year-old Sicilian witch who specializes in divination. She is a valuable member of Agatha Harkness' coven, and had a pivotal role in the protection ofBilly Maximoff, having placed the sigilon him while he was still William Kaplan, though her true relevance and power is still yet to be seen.
Marvel Has Basically Blamed A New MCU Character For Scarlet Witch’s Death
Wanda Maximoff’s death in Doctor Strange 2 has been given some additional and important context in the latest episode of Agatha All Along.
Patti LuPone’s Lilia Calderu is loosely adapted from the Marvel Comics character of the same name, also known as the Witch-Queen of the Gypsies.Marvel Comics' Lilia Calderu was the descendant of Cagliostro, an incredibly powerful sorcerer who was said to have ruled over a kingdom in India in the 11th Century.Cagliostro, otherwise known as O’Bengh, not only wrote the famed Book of Cagliostro, but also has a strong connection to Doctor Doom, so exploring Lilia’s backstory and bringing Cagliostro into the MCU could explain the Latverian supervillain’s debut.
Cagliostro Trained A Time-Traveling Doctor Doom In The Mystic Arts
Doctor Doom Is Connected To Cagliostro In Marvel Comics
In Marvel Comics, Cagliostro was a formidable sorcerer who achieved immortality through his use of the Darkhold, which he claimed after he killed the immortal Egyptian wizard Al-Tothas and usurped his form.Cagliostro took the form of an Italian occultist, Giuseppe Balsamo, in the 1700s, continuing his hunt for vampire blood, which would gift him immortality. Over the years, Cagliostro became involved with Voodoo queen Marie Leveau and fought Doctor Strange, while also becoming the magical mentor to none other than Doctor Doom.
Giuseppe Balsamo was a real-world Italian occultist known by the alias Count Alessandro di Cagliostro who was an adventurer and self-made magician who lived in the 1700s. He formed the inspiration for Marvel Comics' Cagliostro.
Doctor Doom crossed paths with Cagliostro after time traveling to India in 1000 A.D. while searching for a suitable teacher in the arcane arts. Then known as O’Bengh,Cagliostro earned the respect of Doctor Doom, and set about teaching the villain his magical secrets. Doctor Doom helped O’Bengh begin his quest for immortality in return, eventually leaving his teacher with new magical powers instilled in him. This connection would be great to examine in the MCU, and could make Doctor Doom even more terrifying.
Doctor Doom Could Be A Powerful Sorcerer In The MCU
Agatha All Along May Have Laid The Foundations For Doctor Doom’s MCU Debut
Doctor Doom famously spent years in Marvel Comics learning the ways of the Mystic Arts, which eventually culminated in him becoming one of Marvel’s most powerful sorcerers, and even recently becoming the Sorcerer Supreme in 2024’sBlood Huntevent.This side of Doctor Doom’s personality has never been seen in live-action before, so it would be great to showcase his magical prowess in the MCU.Agatha All Along’sfocus on the Darkhold, exploration of witchcraft and sorcery, and introduction of Lilia Calderu may have perfectly set up Doctor Doom’s debut.
1994
2005
2015
Avengers: Doomsday
2026
It would be a mistake for Marvel Studios to ignore Doctor Doom’s sorcery when bringing him into the MCU. A lot of attention has recently been put on the importance of magic in projects such asDoctor Strange, WandaVision, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of MadnessandAgatha All Along, among others.Debuting Doctor Doom as a magic-user would make him even more formidable heading into the MCU’s Phase 6, and by teasing Cagliostro and establishing the Darkhold, the foundations have already been laid.
Marvel Studios Already Introduced A Version Of Cagliostro
Cagliostro Could Easily Make An Appearance In The MCU
Cagliostro has been a known name in the MCU since 2016’sDoctor Strange, as he was mentioned as the author of the Book of Cagliostro.This book contained the spells that allowed Kaecilius to commune with Dormammu in the Dark Dimension, and allowed Doctor Strange to learn how to use the Time Stone, suggesting Cagliostro was, at one time, the most knowledgeable and powerful sorcerer in existence. This was glimpsed inWhat If…?season 1, as a variant of Doctor Strange sought out Cagliostro in the hopes of breaking an Absolute Point.
Doctor Strange Suggests Doctor Doom’s Mentor Already Changed The MCU Timeline
Doctor Strange introduced the Book of Cagliostro, confirming that Doctor Doom’s mentor exists in the MCU - and may have broken time.
Voiced by Ike Amadi,Cagliostro, referred to as O’Bengh, appeared inWhat If…?season 1, episode 4, “What If… Doctor Strange Lost His Heart Instead of His Hands?“He refused to be named Cagliostro, but was the guardian of the Lost Library of Cagliostro who helped Doctor Strange learn how to absorb power from other magical beings, eventually transforming him into a monster. O’Bengh’s appearance inWhat If…?teasedCagliostro’s debut in the MCU, and his connection to Lilia Calderu means this could happen inAgatha All Along, and Marvel Studios has the chance to introduce Doctor Doom alongside him.
Agatha All Along
Cast
Agatha Harkness, after the events of “WandaVision,” seeks to regain her magical powers. Joining forces with unexpected allies, including the son of an old adversary, she battles new mystical threats while uncovering hidden secrets in the magical realm.
