With Marvel Studios finally pushing the boundaries of the cinematic multiverse once again, fans are buzzing over the direction the MCU might take with ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ and ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’. And among them, the most thrilling prospect is Robert Downey Jr.’s return as Doctor Doom.
Moreover, if recent theories hold true, his portrayal of Doom won’t just be menacing, it might shake the very foundation of the multiverse. A growing theory suggests that Downey’s Doctor Doom will absorb the immense power of Galactus. He will use that power to create Battleworld, setting the stage for ‘Secret Wars’ in epic fashion.
Doctor Doom And Galactus Have A Lot Of Lore In The Comics
Doctor Doom stealing Galactus’ power is not just fan service, it’s straight out of classic Marvel lore. In the 1984 Secret Wars comic, Doom is transported to Battleworld along with Marvel’s mightiest heroes and villains by an all-powerful being known as the Beyonder. However, Doom refuses to be a mere pawn. He sets into motion a plan that involves siphoning off Galactus’ Power Cosmic.
Related: How Doctor Strange Made Doctor Doom Earth-616’s Greatest Enemy In ‘Avengers: Doomsday’
This then allows him to challenge even the Beyonder himself. Fast-forward to the MCU’s upcoming saga and the parallels are hard to ignore. Marvel Studios is known for adapting comic book arcs while giving them a fresh twist. Now, they may be blending the original ‘Secret Wars’ with its 2015 spiritual sequel, which deals heavily with multiversal incursions and Battleworld.
So, the inclusion of both Doom and Galactus in close narrative proximity is no coincidence. Adding fuel to the fire is Robert Downey Jr.’s recent Instagram post from the set of ‘Avengers: Doomsday.’ the actor shared an exciting image labeled “Doom workstation essentials.” Among the items? A copy of Doom #1, a comic that sees Doom take on Galactus directly, was spotted. If this is any indication, Marvel may be positioning Doom as more than just a villain.
Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom Could Unite The Multiverse By Creating Battleworld
At the heart of this theory lies Battleworld. As the name suggests, it’s a planet stitched together from the fragments of collapsing realities. In ‘Secret Wars’ (2015), Battleworld becomes the stage for a new kind of Marvel epic, governed by none other than Doom, who assumes the title of “God Emperor Doom.” It’s an iconic moment in Marvel history.
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Additionally, here’s where things get especially interesting: with the multiverse unraveling in Phase 5 and 6, as seen in ‘Loki’, ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’, and ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home‘, there’s a dire need for narrative cohesion’. So, the idea that Doom could seize Galactus’ power to absorb the remnants of broken universes and forge them into one Battleworld makes sense.
It gives a single location for the various characters and storylines to converge. Additionally, this move would also echo how Marvel handled Thanos. The Russo Brothers have hinted at portraying Doom in a similar light: not as a one-dimensional antagonist, but as a man with a vision, twisted as it may be. Downey’s Doctor Doom could emerge as a tragic anti-hero.
Moreover, the theory of Doom creating Battleworld by absorbing Galactus’ power isn’t just exciting for fans, it offers the MCU a pathway to redefine itself. It bridges the gap between existing characters and franchises, including the introduction of the Fantastic Four, the original Fox X-Men, and Sam Wilson’s Avengers. It also allows Marvel to conclude the Multiverse Saga with gravity and spectacle.
