Dark MCU Theory Explains Why Iron Man’s RDJ Is Doctor Doom

Summary

• RDJ’s return as Doctor Doom could involve his mind taking control of Iron Man’s corpse, tying into the Fantastic Four reboot.
• Marvel had considered resurrecting RDJ’s Tony Stark for a possible original Avengers reunion film.
• RDJ’s casting as Doctor Doom brings excitement to the MCU, bringing back the franchise’s most beloved star.

A new theory about the Marvel Cinematic Universe offers a possible explanation for why Robert Downey Jr. was chosen to play Doctor DoomDowney is the most prominent actor in the MCU, having started the franchise with the 2008 film Iron ManThe announcement of his return to Marvel Studios for the first time since 2019 Avengers: Endgame would have been shocking in and of itself, but the fact that he will be playing Doctor Doom, rather than Iron Man, in several upcoming MCU films made the return all the more surprising. Marvel has not explained how RDJ could have played Doctor Doom..

Downey rose to fame in the MCU for bringing Tony Stark to life. After Iron Man’s sacrifice in Avengers: EndgameDowney seemed to have moved away from Marvel, moving on to different types of films, which led to the star winning the Best Supporting Actor award for Oppenheimer at the Oscars and many other awards. With the multiverse, anything is possible, so Downey’s Doctor Doom May Not Be From Earth-616same as his Iron Man, but in another universe. However, a dark MCU theory offers a more complex twist to why RDJ was cast as Doom, setting Avengers: Judgment Daythe story of .

MCU Theory: Doctor Doom’s Mind Takes Over Iron Man’s Corpse

RDJ returns as Tony Stark in a way

There is a way for RDJ to return to the MCU as both Doctor Doom and Iron Man in one role. According to a theory shared on Reddit by 0nlyHere4TheZipline, Doctor Doom’s mind could take over Iron Man’s corpse in an emergency. The theory is based on the Fantastic Four reboot. According to a report, Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom is in Fantastic Four: First Stepsmaking his debut in the film’s mid/post-credits sceneThe theory proposes that, while RDJ’s Doom will appear in the mid-credits scene, another actor will play Doom in the film itself.

With Galactus as the villain of the Fantastic Four reboot and the team having to go to Earth-616, the theory goes that Galactus will devour the Fantastic Four’s Earth, with Doom forced to find a way to survive. The villain would then use a machine similar to the one he used to confront Mephistopheles in the Marvel comics, with his consciousness travels across the multiverse and lands on Tony Stark’s corpsewith Iron Man’s use of the Infinity Stones leaving a signal for Doom. In the comics, Doom once transferred his consciousness into a dead Wolverine, though he transplanted his brain, which sets a precedent.

Marvel Studios was reportedly considering resurrecting RDJ’s Tony Stark

Marvel has revised its plans for the multiverse saga

RDJ’s dark MCU theory about Doctor Doom ties into a past report about a possible Iron Man return. In November 2023, a report claimed that Marvel was considering a new Avengers movie with the original castwhich means RDJ, Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Jeremy Renner, and Scarlett Johansson will all be returning as their MCU heroes. Talk of a possible reunion of the original Avengers started because of the many problems the MCU has had in Phase 4, which is by far the most criticized of the franchise. The only problem with this idea is that two characters died.

However, according to the report, Marvel Wants to Resurrect RDJ’s Iron Man and Johansson’s Black Widow for the original Avengers reunion movie. At the time, it seemed like the report was talking about a traditional Avengers movie with the original crew back together; however, given Downey Jr.’s casting as Doctor Doom, it seems like that idea may have evolved into something else. RDJ’s Doom may not be the only twist on the original Avengers, with 2026 Avengers: Judgment Day perhaps bringing back other characters from the original Avengers as different Marvel villains with a multiverse twist.

How RDJ as Doctor Doom Could Be the MCU’s Best Move

Casting Injects Excitement into Franchise

The casting of RDJ as Doctor Doom has many fans excited about the future of the MCU, and for good reason. While a traditional Doom would have been awesome to see, seeing the MCU’s most beloved actor return to the franchise with a twist as perhaps Marvel Comics’ best villain is a fantastic alternative. After Jonathan Majors was fired from the MCU, Downey’s casting as Doctor Doom was the easiest way for Marvel to make audiences forget about Kang the Conqueroras excitement over Downey’s return and numerous casting questions filled the conversation.

In addition, RDJ’s recent Oscar win in a villainous role, as well as his long career, prove that he has the acting chops to bring a complex villain like Doctor Doom to life in a masterful way. Downey also has a history with the character, as The actor had talks to play Doctor Doom in the 2000 Fantastic Four films before finally playing Iron Man in the MCU. Finally, RDJ is the face behind Doctor DoomThe mask should create some heartbreaking moments when the Avengers discover that the villain looks just like Tony Stark — or maybe it is him, as the MCU theory suggests.

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  Fantastic Four: First Steps

  Marvel’s Fantastic Four is the first MCU film to feature Marvel’s First Family in the same live-action universe as the Avengers. It introduces the Marvel Cinematic Universe version of Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Ben Grimm, and Johnny Storm, and precedes Phase 6’s Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars.

  Release date

  July 25, 2025

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  Avengers: Judgment Day

  Avengers: Doomsday is the fifth Avengers film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and will bring together heroes, new and old, to face Victor von Doom, played by the returning Robert D’Owney Jr. Avengers: Doomsday will also mark the beginning of Phase 6 of the MCU.

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  Avengers: Secret Wars

  Avengers: Secret Wars is the sixth Avengers film and takes place during the sixth phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film will see several heroes from previous phases return to battle a cosmic threat to rival Thanos, and borrows elements from the Marvel Comics event of the same name.

Upcoming MCU Movies