The latest theory surrounding the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) offers a compelling explanation for the casting of Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom. Downey’s pivotal role as Tony Stark in the MCU, particularly as the starting point with 2008’s Iron Man, solidified his status as a vital character within the franchise. Given his return to Marvel Studios following 2019’s Avengers: Endgame, albeit as Doctor Doom instead of Iron Man, has caused quite a stir. The undisclosed manner in which RDJ’s portrayal of Doctor Doom will be executed has left fans and critics intrigued.
Robert Downey Jr. became a household name for his portrayal of Tony Stark in the MCU, and following Iron Man’s heroic sacrifice in Avengers: Endgame, it appeared that Downey had moved on from the Marvel universe to pursue other cinematic endeavors. This included his award-winning performance in “Oppenheimer,” for which he received the Best Supporting Actor award at the Oscars. The concept of the multiverse introduces endless possibilities, with Downey’s portrayal of Doctor Doom potentially hailing from a universe other than Earth-616, which was the home of his Iron Man character.
However, a darker theory proposes a more intricate reasoning behind RDJ’s casting as Doctor Doom, potentially setting the stage for the storyline of “Avengers: Doomsday.”
There is an interesting fan theory suggesting that Robert Downey Jr. could return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as both Doctor Doom and Iron Man in a single role. According to the theory, Doctor Doom’s consciousness could take over Iron Man’s deceased body in an emergency situation, allowing RDJ to play both characters. The theory revolves around the upcoming Fantastic Four reboot, with reports suggesting that Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom will make a debut in the mid or post-credits scene of the film, while another actor will portray Doom in the movie itself.
The theory proposes that in the Fantastic Four reboot, Galactus will be the main villain, and the team will travel to an alternate reality known as Earth-616. It suggests that Galactus will devour the Fantastic Four’s Earth, forcing Doctor Doom to seek a way to survive. According to the theory, Doom will use a device similar to one he used to confront Mephisto in the Marvel Comics, allowing his consciousness to travel through the multiverse and ultimately end up in Tony Stark’s deceased body. This scenario is said to be facilitated by Iron Man’s use of the Infinity Stones, which would leave a signal for Doctor Doom.
In the comics, Doctor Doom previously transferred his consciousness into a deceased Wolverine, setting a precedent for such a storyline.
In a surprising turn of events, a report from November 2023 revealed that Marvel was contemplating the idea of bringing back the original Avengers cast for a new movie. This lineup includes Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man, Chris Evans as Captain America, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Mark Ruffalo as Hulk, Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye, and Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow. The concept of reuniting the original Avengers arose due to the many criticisms faced by the MCU during Phase 4.
Despite the fact that Iron Man and Black Widow had met their demise in previous films, the report suggested that Marvel might resurrect these characters for the reunion movie. Initially, it appeared that this reunion would take the form of a traditional Avengers film. However, with Robert Downey Jr. now potentially cast as Doctor Doom, it seems that these plans may have evolved into something else entirely.
The emergence of a dark MCU theory links Robert Downey Jr.’s potential role as Doctor Doom to the original Avengers cast portraying different Marvel villains in a multiverse setting. This idea suggests the possibility of a film titled “Avengers: Doomsday” in 2026, which could see the return of more original Avengers cast members as various Marvel villains with a multiverse twist. These developments have sparked much speculation and excitement among Marvel fans.
RDJ’s potential casting as Doctor Doom has generated a lot of excitement among MCU fans, and it’s not hard to see why. While many were hoping for a traditional portrayal of the iconic villain, the prospect of having the MCU’s most beloved actor take on the role with a fresh twist has sparked widespread enthusiasm. Following Jonathan Majors’ departure from the MCU, RDJ’s rumored involvement as Doctor Doom quickly became a focal point, effectively redirecting attention away from the previous casting controversy.
What’s more, RDJ’s recent success in an antagonist role and his extensive experience in the industry demonstrate his capability of portraying the complex and compelling character of Doctor Doom with great depth. Additionally, RDJ’s earlier discussions about playing Doctor Doom for the 2000s Fantastic Four films, prior to his portrayal of Iron Man in the MCU, add an intriguing layer to his potential return to the Marvel universe.
Finally, the possibility of RDJ’s face being unveiled as that of Doctor Doom’s, leading to poignant moments as the Avengers confront the villain’s striking resemblance to Tony Stark, further fuels the speculation and anticipation surrounding this casting development.
