‘Avengers: Doomsday’: 6 Mind-Bending Theories About Robert Downey Jr.’s Return as Doctor Doom

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As a fervent admirer, I can confidently affirm that there is no denying Robert Downey Jr.’s status as the undisputed superstar in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). After all, it was his 2008 portrayal of Iron Man that ignited the extraordinary saga of interconnected superhero films and franchises we’ve all come to know and love. With his quick-witted humor and a suit brimming with superpowers, RDJ has become synonymous with Tony Stark/Iron Man, breathed life into this legendary hero for audiences worldwide. The day he departed the MCU in 2019’s Avengers: Endgame was undeniably melancholic. However, it appears that the actor may have had a change of heart about his decision to step away from the universe he helped create.

2024 at San Diego Comic-Con took me by surprise as Robert Downey Jr., a beloved figure in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, unveiled an unexpected twist – he’s returning to the MCU, but this time, not reprising his role as Tony Stark/Iron Man. Instead, he’ll be stepping into the shoes of none other than Victor von Doom, the notorious Marvel villain, set to become the next major MCU antagonist. Already lined up are two movies: 2026’s “Avengers: Doomsday” and 2027’s “Avengers: Secret Wars.”

This casting decision has sparked a flurry of mixed reactions and questions among fans. How can one man portray both Iron Man and Dr. Doom? It seems quite perplexing!

Immediately, fans flocked to the internet to discuss theories on how Marvel might tackle this predicament. To make things more intriguing, the Russo brothers, set to direct Avengers: Armageddon, recently commented on RDJ’s role, stating “There’s no one else in the world who could embody this character as he is destined to.” This comment added to the excitement and mystery, as fans pondered the meaning of this cryptic statement. What does it mean that only RDJ can portray Dr. Doom? Why is he the ideal choice for this role?

Here are 6 fan theories that just might answer the question.

6
Dr. Doom Is Tony’s Relative

Marvel introduces a possible familial connection between Tony Stark and Victor von Doom, suggesting they might be long-lost brothers or even identical twins separated at birth. While some fans speculate that this could be the case, it’s yet to be confirmed. If true, Tony would have grown up with his family and eventually become Iron Man, while his brother, for reasons unknown, lived with the von Dooms in Latveria and transformed into Dr. Doom.

Some fans, on the other hand, criticize this theory, asserting that Tony and Victor are not connected in the original comic books. Moreover, they express reluctance towards altering Doom’s backstory merely to account for his likeness to Iron Man.

5
Tony Has Always Been Dr. Doom

This idea implies that the character we know as Tony Stark might actually be Dr. Doom in disguise for the past 15 years. It’s possible that he could resurface, but instead of reappearing as Tony Stark, he chooses to adopt his Dr. Doom persona permanently. Alternatively, it’s conceivable that Tony Stark never truly perished and has been alive this whole time, living somewhere under the identity of Dr. Doom and plotting his nefarious plans.

This concept has some basis in previous stories. It ties into the well-known Iron Man comic book saga, specifically “Civil War II,” where Doctor Doom supposedly steps into the role of Iron Man following Tony Stark’s apparent death. This version of Iron Man is influenced by dark magic. The majority of fans have criticized this idea, arguing that it undermines Tony’s character development and storyline over the past 15 years. Marvel Studios has confirmed that Tony is indeed deceased. However, despite these confirmations, this fan theory continues to circulate.

4
It’s All a Ruse and RDJ Is Returning as Iron Man

Some Marvel enthusiasts aren’t buying Marvel’s trickery. They can’t fathom that Marvel would have the same actor who was iconic as Iron Man portray a significant antagonist. These doubtful fans view Robert Downey Jr.’s announcement as a smokescreen rather than a truthful revelation. Indeed, RDJ is set to return to the MCU, but not as Dr. Doom. Instead, the real twist here is that RDJ will be back as Iron Man. Many speculations are circulating about how this could play out.

It’s possible that Tony Stark might get revived or transformed, much like how characters in the MCU were brought back after a 5-year gap in Avengers: Endgame. Alternatively, he could reappear as an advanced version of his original self with godlike powers. Another possibility is that Marvel could delve into the multiverse and introduce a new Tony Stark/Iron Man character, similar to the multiple Wolverines we saw in Deadpool & Wolverine. In any case, if this happens, it would imply that the genuine Dr. Doom has not been unveiled yet.

3
Doom Won’t Resemble Tony at All

In addition, there’s a straightforward and feasible scenario here. It could be that Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man and Dr. Doom are unrelated, existing independently in the same universe without any acknowledgment of their similarity. Alternatively, Deadpool might make a humorous comment about it by breaking the fourth wall, but that’s all it would be. Lastly, it’s also possible that their resemblance won’t even be mentioned at all.

In the comics, Dr. Doom seldom appears without his mask. It’s likely that he’ll keep wearing it on-screen, much like Darth Vader in Star Wars. The comics have been inconsistent when it comes to Doom’s unmasked appearance. Some stories portray him as having a minor facial scar and looking rather normal, while others depict him as severely disfigured. If Marvel Studios ever reveals Dr. Doom without his mask, they can easily alter his face to make it unlike that of Tony Stark or RDJ.

2
Doom Transfers His Consciousness Into Tony’s Body

Marvel’s “What If…?” series explores alternate scenarios by depicting what could have happened if key events had taken a different course from the usual timeline. For instance, one popular tale is “Iron Man: Demon in an Armor,” where Victor Von Doom switches places with Tony Stark.

Some viewers are theorizing that the Marvel Cinematic Universe might use this comic book plot as a basis for explaining Robert Downey Jr.’s casting as Dr. Doom. They suggest that instead of being an entirely new character, the villain could transfer his consciousness into Tony Stark’s dead body, perhaps even from another Earth or universe. While it may seem far-fetched, the existence of this storyline in the comics does provide some support for this idea.

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1
Doom Is an Evil Tony Stark Variant From the Multiverse

First Steps,” is rumored to take place in another universe on an Earth unlike our own. Interestingly, the Mister Fantastic portrayed in this movie by Pedro Pascal is quite distinct from the Mister Fantastic we saw in “Dr. Strange and the Multiverse of Madness,” where he was played by John Krasinski.

According to fans’ assertions, this data suggests the presence of an evil Tony Stark counterpart existing in another dimension or universe. On a parallel Earth, rather than following the path of Iron Man, Tony Stark selects a different metal mask and suit, transforming into Dr. Doom instead. Somehow, he manages to cross over to our reality, causing chaos while maintaining the appearance of Tony Stark.

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2025-03-30 19:03