Ever since Marvel Studios announced that Robert Downey Jr. will be back in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Doctor Doom, fans have been wondering, how can such a major villain look just like Tony Stark?
The answer has been kept a secret by Marvel. However, one fan theory has a very elegant solution that might tie into the Multiverse Saga without spoiling Iron Man’s emotional conclusion.
Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom Could Have A Comic-Accurate Origin After All
The theory envisions a Victor Von Doom that is on the verge of dying and desperately looking for a radical solution. He doesn’t throw away his identity. Instead, he moves his consciousness into the body of a Tony Stark variant and becomes a Doom with Stark’s face but Victor Von Doom’s heart.
Related: Doctor Doom’s Reported ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Plan Could Set Up ‘Secret Wars’ Perfectly
It’s a theory based on the Marvel Comics universe that would be a perfect fit for Robert Downey Jr.’s surprising new character. The concept is inspired by the comic book series What If? Iron Man: Demon in an Armor, which looked at the Tony Stark/Doctor Doom dynamic in a completely different light.
This theory doesn’t mean Tony Stark becomes a bad guy; it just means that Doom takes over him. That’s a distinction that matters. Marvel has made it clear over and over again that Robert Downey Jr. isn’t playing a corrupted Tony Stark, but the iconic Fantastic Four villain.
The use of a Stark variant’s body would maintain that separation, while providing a clear justification for Doom’s presence. It would also help to strengthen the unpredictable nature of the Multiverse, where the same characters can play vastly different roles in alternate realities.
The Theory Also Sets The Stage For ‘Secret Wars’
The theory extends even further, claiming that Doom has already won his universe before attacking the Multiverse. Once he gets his hands on Franklin Richards, he becomes powerful enough to invade numerous realities, putting Earth’s heroes and the Time Variance Authority in a huge crisis.
In case you missed it: Oscar Isaac’s ‘Moon Knight’ Is Reportedly Being Eyed For A Daredevil Team-Up In MCU
As events get out of control, Doom may ultimately end up changing the world itself into the patchwork reality for which Battleworld is the foundation of ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’. This would provide a logical stepping-stone for both ‘Avengers: Doomsday‘ and its much-anticipated sequel.
It would also make Doctor Doom the most dangerous villain in the MCU to date. None of this is official, of course, and Marvel Studios has a history of keeping its best secrets. Still, the theory has been gaining traction due to its logical explanation of one of the most surprising casting choices in the MCU.
You might like to read: How The MCU ‘X-Men’ Reboot Plans To Finally Honor The Greatest Comic Run
