The Marvel Cinematic Universe has been teasing the arrival of its next Big Bad in all of its 2025 films. During Captain America: Brave New World‘s post-credits scene, Samuel Sterns, aka the Leader, mentions “others” that are threatening the safety of the multiverse, and it’s fair to say that Doctor Doom is one of them. Thunderbolts* takes a more direct approach, confirming the Fantastic Four’s arrival on Earth-616 by showing the team’s ship fleeing their own universe. However, The Fantastic Four: First Steps takes the cake, outright showing the villain as he enters the Baxter Building to meet Franklin Richards.
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While the MCU has been feeling Doom’s presence all year, there is still virtually nothing known about him. Marvel Studios is keeping its cards close to the vest as it prepares for Robert Downey Jr. to return to the franchise he helped build in Avengers: Doomsday. The uncertainty hasn’t stopped the theories from flowing, though, especially when it comes to why Doctor Doom looks so much like Iron Man.
1) Doctor Doom Used the Infinity Stones
Outside of announcing himself as Iron Man, Tony Stark’s biggest moment in the MCU is using the Nano Gauntlet to wipe Thanos and his army off the map in Avengers: Endgame. Of course, the hero can’t handle the power of the Infinity Stones, dying in front of his wife and friends. However, as the Multiverse Saga has demonstrated, the same situation can unfold in multiple ways.
One major Doomsday theory claims that Doom is a Tony Stark variant that survived the battle with Thanos. Instead of succumbing to his injuries, he got scars all over his body, forcing him to wear a mask all the time. It’s hard to believe Iron Man would turn to a life of villainy after saving the universe, but stranger things have happened.
2) Tony Stark Was Always a Member of the Doom Family
The Victor von Doom name is important, so it’s more likely that the MCU chooses to use it rather than ignoring it completely to push the Stark agenda again. However, there’s a way the franchise could have its cake and eat it, too, and it involves messing with some family history.
While Howard Stark makes a big deal about his wife being pregnant in Endgame, one Reddit user thinks Doomsday could retcon things a bit by having the Starks adopt a child rather than have one of their own. Tony could be a baby named Victor von Doom who comes from the country of Latveria, and while he never learns that fact on Earth-616, he might embrace a different destiny in another reality.
3) Doctor Doom Stole Tony Stark’s Face
Sometimes, taking the simple route is for the best because it doesn’t leave the door open for loose ends. In Doomsday‘s case, the easiest way to explain why Doom looks like Iron Man is that he steals the hero’s face before he arrives on Earth-616.
No matter the iteration, Doom is a man of great intelligence, putting together wild schemes to push the Marvel Universe’s heroes to their limits. The MCU version of the villain may realize that Iron Man is an idol to every hero, and by looking like him, he could throw everyone off their rhythm.
4) Robert Downey Jr. Isn’t Going to Play Doctor Doom
While lying is a nasty habit, it’s necessary to keep secrets in the world of comic book movies. Of course, it’s hard to forget RDJ’s big moment at San Diego Comic-Con 2024, when he took the stage wearing the Doctor Doom mask and announced his return to the MCU. The actor promised that he was preparing to play a villain this time around, but he may have been throwing everyone off the scent.
No one can play Iron Man like RDJ, so to hide the character’s return in Doomsday, the powers that be might be lying to keep the secret under wraps. A lie that big could have major ramifications, but it’ll all be worth it if the MCU has a worthwhile story in mind for Iron Man.
5) The Real Doctor Doom Won’t Appear in Avengers: Doomsday
Kang didn’t make much of an impact in the MCU, having a great introduction in Loki before delivering a lackluster performance in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. However, he did prove one thing: variants are a real threat, especially if they work together.
Another Reddit theory claims that RDJ is playing one version of Doom, but that he won’t stick around for the long haul. Instead, another actor will pick up the baton in Avengers: Secret Wars and play the villain for much longer. Since RDJ probably isn’t signing another multi-picture deal, going down that road would allow Doom to kick off his rivalry with the Fantastic Four and appear in a sequel to First Steps.
Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters on December 18, 2026.
Which of the Doctor Doom theories on this list do you hope turn out to be true? Is there another one that you’re a fan of? Let us know in the comments below!
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