Summary:
- RDJ might come back to the MCU as Doctor Doom, blending two major Marvel characters using the multiverse.
- Iron Man’s legacy lives on in the MCU through War Machine and Riri Williams.
- Marvel’s Doctor Doom debut is coming soon, possibly in The Fantastic Four or Avengers: Secret Wars.
After more than a decade of playing Iron Man, Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark takes on a surprising new role as Doctor Doom in a shocking Marvel Cinematic Universe theory. Downey kicked off the MCU journey in 2008 with his iconic portrayal of Tony Stark in Iron Man.
Over the years, he starred in numerous Marvel Studios blockbusters, including the Avengers, Captain America, and Spider-Man franchises, along with the Iron Man trilogy. In 2019, Downey bid farewell to the MCU as Tony Stark’s arc culminated in Avengers: Endgame, where he made the ultimate sacrifice to defeat Thanos.
With Tony’s passing and Captain America‘s retirement, the MCU bids farewell to its mainstays. However, Marvel Studios ensures their legacies live on through various heroes and projects.
Iron Man’s influence endures through characters like Rhodey, set to lead the Armor Wars movie, and Riri Williams, introduced in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and slated to headline Disney+’s Ironheart. Despite this, fans clamor for RDJ’s return as Iron Man, leading to a wild MCU theory proposing an intriguing scenario for his comeback.
MCU Theory Suggests Iron Man Transforms into Doctor Doom
A fresh MCU theory suggests a fascinating twist where Iron Man and Doctor Doom become intertwined. In this theory, RDJ’s return to the MCU wouldn’t be as Tony Stark, but as an Iron Man variant from another dimension within the multiverse.
After his encounters with Thanos and realizing the limitations of technology against cosmic threats, this Iron Man variant turns to magic, eventually morphing into a version of Doctor Doom. Empowered by his triumph over Thanos and armed with knowledge of the multiverse’s existence, this alternate Tony Stark learns of the looming threat posed by Kang variants, surpassing even that of Thanos.
Rather than focusing solely on Earth’s protection, this Iron Man variant sets his sights on dominion over the entire multiverse. This journey culminates in the creation of Battleworld, establishing him as a formidable multiversal power.
The theory includes Marvel’s casting for The Fantastic Four, suggesting that the actors chosen would only play their roles until a rumored franchise reboot. This explains the older casting for Reed Richards, possibly Pedro Pascal. This allows RDJ to continue as Iron Man/Doctor Doom until the reboot. Inspired by the “Infamous Iron Man” comics, where Doctor Doom takes on Iron Man’s role, this storyline in the MCU would be captivating.
Robert Downey Jr. Open to Returning as Tony Stark
The ending of Avengers: Endgame, where Tony sacrifices himself to defeat Thanos, was a fitting conclusion. RDJ’s portrayal of Tony Stark evolved throughout the MCU, blending his unique personality with heroic growth.
Iron Man’s ultimate sacrifice set the stage for the next generation of heroes to rise. While it appeared Tony Stark’s MCU journey had concluded, Robert Downey Jr. has expressed openness to reprising the role in the future.
Discussing a potential return to the MCU as Iron Man, Downey remarked, “Happily. It’s too integral a part of my DNA.” Following his Best Supporting Actor win for Oppenheimer, RDJ seems enthusiastic about revisiting the role.
Reports from 2023 suggest Marvel has contemplated bringing back the original Avengers, including Iron Man and Black Widow. Downey’s potential return in Avengers: Secret Wars to conclude the Multiverse Saga would be a fitting continuation of his iconic portrayal.
Iron Man’s MCU Return Theory Addresses Major Endgame Problem
Concerns arise regarding Downey’s potential return as Iron Man, fearing it might undermine his poignant conclusion in Avengers: Endgame. Having initiated the MCU and culminated his journey with a heroic sacrifice, Tony Stark’s legacy seemed perfectly sealed.
While Downey’s reprisal would undoubtedly stir emotions, it must be handled delicately to preserve Iron Man’s impactful story arc.
However, the theory of Iron Man evolving into Doctor Doom offers a workaround without contradicting Avengers: Endgame. Through the multiverse concept, the original Tony Stark could remain deceased while RDJ portrays a new version of the character.
This approach suggests Iron Man’s transformation into Doctor Doom stems from his relentless confrontations with Thanos, honoring the significance of Tony Stark’s sacrifice while allowing RDJ to embark on fresh narratives within the Iron Man legacy.
Reasons Doctor Doom Should Make His MCU Debut Soon
With the Iron Man/Doctor Doom theory gaining momentum, Doctor Doom’s MCU debut seems imminent. As the most iconic villain of the Fantastic Four, Doom has appeared in all live-action adaptations and is a major player in Marvel comics. The upcoming release of The Fantastic Four in 2025 suggests that Doctor Doom’s presence, even if just a cameo, is highly likely.
Additionally, Doctor Doom could play a role in 2027’s Avengers: Secret Wars. He has been pivotal in various comic book versions of the event, such as becoming God Emperor Doom.
Recent reports hint at Marvel considering Doctor Doom as a replacement for Kang the Conqueror in the Multiverse Saga. In this scenario, the MCU theory suggests RDJ’s Iron Man could assume Doom’s role, providing a fresh perspective on the classic character.
