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- What Is an Anchor Being?
- Iron Man Can’t Be the Anchor Being
- The MCU Doesn’t Have an Anchor Being…and That Is Its Strength
- Deadpool & Wolverine Also Disproves Doctor Doom Is an Iron Man Variant Theory
As a longtime fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, I must say that the latest film, Deadpool & Wolverine, has truly outdone itself in debunking some intriguing theories floating around among us fans. One such theory was about Doctor Doom being an Iron Man variant due to Robert Downey Jr.’s portrayal of both characters.
As a seasoned movie critic, I found the intriguing multiverse concept introduced in the action-packed duo flick, Deadpool & Wolverine, to be a game-changer for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The film masterfully portrayed Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine as a pivotal figure whose demise triggered the slow decay of his universe. This sparked wild speculations among fans about who might serve as the Anchor Being in the Sacred Timeline. Naturally, many MCU enthusiasts pointed their fingers at none other than Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man, given his initial presence in the franchise and his swift rise to become the flagship hero.
Some people embraced this theory, especially after Robert Downey Jr.’s reappearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as a new character alongside Doctor Doom. According to the guidelines established by Deadpool and Wolverine, it’s not likely to be Iron Man. While some may guess that another character serves as the MCU’s central figure, Deadpool and Wolverine not only suggested that Iron Man is not the MCU’s Central Being but also hinted at undermining or discarding the idea of a single central figure in the entire MCU.
What Is an Anchor Being?
The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Multiverse Storyline, spanning from Phase 4 (including shows like WandaVision and potentially concluding with Phase 6’s Avengers: Secret Wars), has been enlightening viewers about the functioning of the MCU multiverse. Loki clarified several principles, such as the idea of a sacred timeline, branching timelines, and variants, and the dangers to the multiverse. What If…? introduced fixed points in time, while Doctor Strange explained incursions. The upcoming Deadpool & Wolverine are expected to contribute significantly by introducing the concept of Anchor Beings to the saga.
In simpler terms, Mr. Paradox (Matthew Macfadyen) referred to a character as someone so crucial to their universe’s timeline that when they die, it leads to a slow decay lasting millions of years. For the universe of Deadpool in Earth 10005, this significant figure was Hugh Jackman, who passed away in the movie “Logan”. This observation highlighted the pivotal role Wolverine played in the Fox X-Men film series. Remarkably, the release year for this film (2017) was also when Disney started discussions to acquire 20th Century Fox, eventually leading to the unexpected end of the Fox X-Men universe.
The concept of Anchor Being is frequently employed within the Deadpool and Wolverine series, serving as a humorous metacommentary on the Marvel films produced during the 20th Century Fox era, specifically the X-Men movies, where Wolverine was often emphasized more than other heroes. Fans have expanded this idea across the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe multiverse, and it’s particularly relevant to the MCU. If Anchor Being refers to a character who holds significant weight within the universe, then it seems reasonable that Robert Downey Jr., playing Iron Man for 11 years across ten appearances, would fit this description. However, upon closer examination, it doesn’t quite align with the pieces of the puzzle.
Iron Man Can’t Be the Anchor Being
It seems that some fans might compare Tony Stark’s demise in “Avengers: Endgame” to Wolverine’s sacrifice in “Logan”. However, an interesting observation is that there’s been no indication of the main timeline deteriorating or vanishing, not even in shows like “Loki” and “What If…?”, which delve deeply into the multiverse. In fact, in the premiere of “Loki”, it’s revealed that the events of “Avengers: Endgame”, from the time heist to Thanos’s snap reversal, were all part of a predetermined sequence. Therefore, given this information, Tony Stark doesn’t seem to be the Anchor Being in the MCU.
A common source some people will cite is the real-world box office downfall of the MCU as proof that Tony Stark must be the Anchor Being and why Robert Downey Jr. is returning to the franchise. But that only works in a meta sense, and even then, it is not entirely factual. While The Marvels was the franchise’s first box office bomb, four of the MCU’s ten highest-grossing movies of all time at the domestic box office are Multiverse Saga films.
In the current rankings, “Spider-Man: No Way Home” holds the second spot, followed by “Deadpool & Wolverine” at sixth, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” at eighth, and “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” at tenth. Interestingly, films like “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” and “Thor: Love and Thunder,” currently ranked 14th and 15th respectively, have surpassed box office earnings of movies such as “Thor: Ragnarok,” “Captain America: Winter Soldier,” and “Spider-Man: Homecoming.” This indicates that the Marvel Cinematic Universe is thriving financially even without the presence of Iron Man.
If Iron Man is not the central character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), who then holds this role? Could it be Spider-Man, played by Tom Holland, or would Marvel risk designating such a status to a hero they don’t entirely control? Speculation abounds, ranging from Doctor Strange to Kang the Conqueror. However, the possibility that the MCU may lack a definitive Anchor Being might be intentional and crucial for the survival of its heroes.
The MCU Doesn’t Have an Anchor Being…and That Is Its Strength
The idea of an Anchor Being fits well within the Fox version of the X-Men franchise, considering its focus on Wolverine. However, Marvel Studios has taken a different approach in the MCU. Instead of solely relying on one character like Iron Man as the foundation, they’ve distributed screen time to develop numerous heroes throughout the series. This strategy started with Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Black Widow, and Hawkeye; since then, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has expanded to include many more characters.
As a passionate movie enthusiast, I must confess that there’s an endless list of characters I adore in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), from Doctor Strange to Black Panther, Captain Marvel, and even Ant-Man. Initially, the Guardians of the Galaxy were considered a minor league, but now they stand tall alongside Disney’s most prominent brands, garnering fan bases comparable to Iron Man’s.
The notion of Anchor Beings shares similarities with the Chosen One storyline, featuring a character who plays a crucial role in their universe due to extraordinary cosmic events. However, this concept contrasts sharply with the heroes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Unlike these characters, none of the MCU heroes are predestined or foretold for greatness; instead, they are products of accidents and chance encounters. Characters like The Hulk, Spider-Man, and Captain Marvel were not born with their powers but gained them through unforeseen circumstances. Iron Man created his own suit, while Captain America volunteered for a super soldier program. Even those who have familial legacies, such as Thor, Black Panther, and Shang-Chi, deviate from the paths laid out for them by choosing their own destinies. This concept of an Anchor Being might not align with the MCU, which suggests that it may be intentionally designed to stand apart.
Unlike some stories where a singular anchor figure holds the narrative together, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) thrives on its diversity. It didn’t crumble after Tony Stark’s heroic demise because it isn’t dependent on one individual. Instead, it boasts a multitude of heroes, each choosing their path, not destined for it. This aligns with the MCU’s recurring theme: strength in unity. From The Avengers to the Guardians of the Galaxy, and even unexpected pairings like Deadpool and Wolverine, these heroes are at their strongest when they unite.
Deadpool & Wolverine Also Disproves Doctor Doom Is an Iron Man Variant Theory
When discussing Iron Man MCU theories contradicted by Deadpool and Wolverine, it’s important to clarify that Robert Downey Jr.’s casting as Doctor Doom does not automatically mean that Doom is an Iron Man variant. As we previously explained in detail, the connection between Iron Man and Doctor Doom is not as straightforward as some fans might think. Deadpool and Wolverine provide strong evidence for this, demonstrating how Downey Jr. can convincingly portray two distinct characters without them being variants. Moreover, the timing of the film’s release, just two days before Downey Jr.’s announcement as Doctor Doom, may not be a coincidence. The connection here lies with Downey’s Avengers co-star, Chris Evans.
In the film “Deadpool & Wolverine,” Chris Evans portrays a character different from his role as Captain America. Instead, Deadpool believes he’s encountering Captain America, but it turns out to be none other than Johnny Storm/The Human Torch from the 2005 and 2007 “Fantastic Four” movies that Evans starred in. The movie clarifies that Evans’ Human Torch is not a version of Captain America, despite both roles being played by the same actor.
Evans isn’t the only actor to portray the Human Torch within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as Michael B. Jordan, who gained fame as Erik Killmonger from Black Panther, previously played Johnny Storm in 2015’s Fantastic Four. However, neither Jordan nor Evans’ Human Torch characters will be versions of their MCU characters. Instead, the Human Torch character, played by Joseph Quinn, appears in the upcoming film The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
If neither Michael B. Jordan’s version of the Human Torch from 2015 nor Chris Evans’ version from 2005 are related to Erik Killmonger or Captain America respectively, then it seems likely that Robert Downey Jr.’s portrayal of Doctor Doom in the MCU doesn’t have to be an Iron Man variant. In a universe with countless variations, characters who appear similar might not necessarily share a connection. The examples of Deadpool and Wolverine suggest that neither Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom nor Iron Man serve as the central character early on in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
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2024-08-19 00:02