In July 2024 at San Diego Comic-Con, it was announced that Robert Downey Jr. would be taking on the role of Doctor Doom in upcoming MCU films centered around the Latverian villain. Ever since then, fans have been buzzing about how one of the most iconic Marvel actors could embody Iron Man as well as a villain meant to rival the strength of such adversaries as Thanos. The simplest explanation is that Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom is an evil Tony Stark variant from an alternate universe. Given the history both characters have with one another in the comics, such a narrative would make sense. However, it would likely disappoint audiences, seeing as it would most certainly feel like a cop-out and a cheap way to bring RDJ back to the MCU. If anything, an episode of What If…? would suffice for such a story.

While Downey Jr.’s return to Marvel was met with resounding cheers from the Comic-Con audience, his reentry likely goes beyond the MCU’s storytelling. His casting as Doctor Doom can undoubtedly be attributed to various situations behind the scenes. Given the fiasco that befell Marvel following Jonathan Majors’ personal life and his Kang character, the studio clearly needs a household name they can trust with the future of the franchise. Also, ever since Endgame closed the book on the Infinity Saga, Marvel has struggled to capture the same spark it had with audiences. Downey Jr. could likely reignite that spark once more. Furthermore, his relationship with Kevin Feige, the president of Marvel Studios, certainly left the door open for some kind of return.

That being said, it doesn’t explain exactly how Downey Jr. will return as a completely different, high-profile character. Thankfully, the answer is a simple one, which makes it a genius one as well. Rather than overcomplicate the introduction of Doctor Doom, the MCU will likely stay true to the origins of the character. If that’s the case, Downey Jr.’s face might look a little different than audiences remember, seeing as Doctor Doom isn’t known for removing his mask. Furthermore, the multiverse must factor into the story somehow if Marvel plans to remain loyal to the comics, and one upcoming MCU film proves it.

Downey Jr.’s Face Won’t Be the Same
Avengers: Doomsday (2026)

Doctor Doom is notorious for never removing his mask, either because he’s unable to or he doesn’t want to. Given his face was badly scarred after building and testing a machine he hoped would contact his late mother, Cynthia von Doom, who was banished to Hell for practicing witchcraft, it’s likely that Downey Jr.’s face will be slightly altered as the MCU moves forward. That isn’t to say he’ll be unrecognizable; it simply provides a better contrast with his former role as Tony Stark. As a result, the MCU gets all the charisma of Downey Jr. while simultaneously steering clear of any complications the dual casting might have created.

However, the infamous villain’s scarred face isn’t the only reason Downey Jr.’s casting works. Rather, one of the upcoming MCU films proves his new role won’t interfere with his previous one. As a result, fans of the comics, as well as the wider MCU, will receive the best version of Doctor Doom they could have asked for. Without a doubt, the concept of the multiverse will play into the narrative, but he won’t be a simple Stark variant, which should make audiences happy about what’s to come.

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Fantastic Four: First Steps Proves Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom is From Another Universe

Given the charisma and acting abilities of Downey Jr., his casting as Doctor Doom makes perfect sense. The role requires a level of overconfidence and intellect comparable to a character like Iron Man, which he mastered. Plus, because of both characters’ intertwined history throughout the comics, his casting plays into that and serves as a wink to fans of the comics. However, the characters within the MCU will likely not be related in any way. While Doctor Doom has been an evil variant of Tony Stark in the comics, Downey Jr. is said to be playing Dr. Victor Von Doom, which is not a Stark variant.

Seeing as there’s no way Earth-616’s latest villain will look like one of the most beloved late Avengers, the only plausible conclusion is that Doctor Doom is from another universe, but also is not a variant of the “genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist.” For those who doubt such a theory, the upcoming The Fantastic Four: First Steps all but proves it. Because the film is set in an alternate universe, it strongly suggests that Doctor Doom is as well. The film is set to hit theaters in July 2025, before the arrival of Avengers: Doomsday in May 2026, which means Dr. Victor Von Doom must be introduced in the former if he’s going to be the center of the latter.

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While it’s already known that Galactus will be the main villain in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, that doesn’t mean Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom won’t be introduced somehow. It’s possible he could make an appearance in Captain America: Brave New World or Thunderbolts, both of which will hit theaters in 2025 before Fantastic Four, but it’s unlikely, given those films take place on Earth-616. Unless his appearance is meant to hint at something in the new Fantastic Four film, audiences shouldn’t expect to see him until July 2025.

Furthermore, while the Latverian villain definitely battles various Marvel characters throughout the comics, he’s widely regarded as the archenemy of Mister Fantastic and, by extension, the Fantastic Four. His origin story has direct ties to Reed Richards, who was his college roommate. Richards also warned Victor about his machine and the calculations he used when trying to contact his late mother, a venture that literally blew up in his face. An authentic Doctor Doom without connections to Richards, ergo the upcoming Fantastic Four, wouldn’t make sense if Marvel’s goal is to make the most authentic Doctor Doom. The Fantastic Four: First Steps proves without a doubt that Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom is from another universe, but isn’t a Stark variant, who will ultimately make his way to Earth-616 thanks to the MCU’s multiverse concept.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is scheduled to hit theaters in July 2025, and Avengers: Doomsday will arrive in May 2026.