The Marvel Cinematic Universe has constantly reinvented its own lore and now, with Robert Downey Jr. stepping back into the MCU as Doctor Doom, fans are bracing for a complex and potentially devastating narrative twist.
However, what if Doom’s villainy isn’t rooted in pure ambition or madness? What if it’s the result of trauma, survival, and betrayal at the hands of Reed Richards himself? A new theory is making waves that RDJ’s Doom is waging war on the multiverse not because of ego, but because of what the Council of Reeds did to him.
What Is The Council Of Reeds?
Marvel fans familiar with Jonathan Hickman’s groundbreaking Fantastic Four run know just how mind-bending his stories can be. Director Matt Shakman has openly cited Hickman’s work as a core inspiration for ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps.’ He teased elements like The Bridge (a device that allows Reed Richards to peer into alternate universes) and the Council of Reeds, a multiversal brain trust made up of thousands of Reed variants dedicated to solving the universe’s problems.
Related: ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Director Opens Up About MCU Film’s Humor, Heart And Messiness
Among their most controversial actions? The containment, lobotomization, and imprisonment of Doctor Doom variants. The Reeds, no matter how well-meaning, methodically hunted down every version of Doom they could find and neutralized them, forever. The reason? To prevent these brilliant, yet dangerous minds from becoming threats to their utopian vision.
In many ways, this makes the Council of Reeds just as terrifying as any villain. They act without oversight, accountability, or compassion for those who do not fit their ideal. Now imagine you’re one of the Dooms who escaped. You’ve seen your counterparts silenced. What do you do? You fight back.
Why The Twist Makes Doctor Doom MCU’s Most Tragic And Relatable Villain Yet
Enter Robert Downey Jr.’s version of Doctor Doom, introduced not in ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’, but in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’. Now, with director confirmations that the Bridge and Council of Reeds will appear in the upcoming Fantastic Four film, things are starting to click into place. If this theory holds, then Downey’s Doom isn’t just another power-hungry tyrant.
In case you missed it: The Real Reason Why Doctor Doom Is Missing From ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’
He’s a survivor of a multiversal genocide. His vendetta against Reed Richards isn’t a petty rivalry, it’s revenge, justice, and perhaps a warning. He’s not trying to conquer the multiverse just for power. He’s trying to protect himself and others like him from a horrifying fate. Imagine learning that a council of Reeds has systematically wiped out your variants in other timelines.
This angle radically reframes Doom’s character. Suddenly, his presence in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ makes perfect sense. He isn’t the villain who simply shows up, he was forced to. Even more exciting is the potential collision course between Downey’s Doom and Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards. ‘Thunderbolts’ post-credits scene also hinted that the Fantastic Four have already entered Earth-616.
The brilliance of this theory lies in its emotional complexity. Fans know and love Downey’s portrayal of Tony Stark. To see that same face twisted into one of the most morally layered villains in Marvel history would be a masterstroke. It also turns ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ and ‘Secret Wars’ into something far more personal.
