Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom has the potential to become the most powerful live-action villain in Marvel’s cinematic universe, especially with his confrontation against the Avengers in the upcoming films Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. These two films promise to be a monumental conclusion to the MCU’s Phase 6 and the overarching Multiverse Saga. Notably, one of the most anticipated revelations about Phase 6 is the introduction of Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom, who will take on the role of the saga’s primary antagonist, marking a significant departure from his long-established character, Iron Man.
As the storyline unfolds, Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom is set to replace Jonathan Majors’ character, Kang the Conqueror, due to Majors’ recent legal troubles. This unexpected shift raises questions about Doom’s origins and motivations, particularly since his arrival was a complete surprise to fans during the San Diego Comic-Con 2024. Speculation surrounds Doctor Doom’s ambitions to ascend as the God Emperor Doom, aiming to master the multiverse, and Avengers: Doomsday might serve as the first crucial step in his quest for dominion over all Marvel timelines.
The multiverse-centric narratives of Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars strongly hint at a possible franchise-wide reboot, a significant development in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Drawing inspiration from Marvel Comics’ 2015 storyline, Secret Wars led to a restructuring of the entire multiverse, which could mirror events in the MCU. The overarching hints throughout the Multiverse Saga point toward an impending Multiversal War, with clues dispersed in various titles such as Loki, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, and Spider-Man: No Way Home.
A compelling theory suggests that Marvel may leverage Kang the Conqueror’s narrative to elaborate on Doctor Doom’s mission. Given the multiverse’s vast possibilities, Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom may wield his formidable powers to eliminate several major heroes in Avengers: Secret Wars. The stakes are incredibly high, with multiple Avengers potentially sacrificing their lives to thwart Doctor Doom’s malicious plans and safeguard the multiverse.
Should a reboot come to fruition, Marvel Studios might introduce a streamlined universe where new iterations of these heroes emerge, effectively replacing those who fell in battle. The deaths of the original heroes would be permanent yet pave the way for new variants, resembling how the original Loki’s death in Avengers: Infinity War was followed by a new variant’s redemption arc in Loki. The complexity of Marvel characters makes it challenging to deliver definitive send-offs, and even death often appears to be a temporary state in the multiverse.
A franchise-wide multiversal reboot could offer a more resolute method for concluding several storylines, and Avengers: Secret Wars presents a tantalizing opportunity. A heroic sacrifice could provide a grand finale for several beloved Marvel actors, allowing them to conclude their journeys with a powerful send-off devoid of unresolved narratives. The prospect of the Avengers facing their demise at the hands of Doctor Doom would underscore his terrifying might.
In Marvel Comics’ 2015 version of Secret Wars, Reed Richards managed to defeat Doctor Doom, but did not kill him. This subplot leaves open the potential for various MCU characters who have pursued peace or have been on the brink of self-sacrifice to fulfill their aspirations in Avengers: Secret Wars. Characters such as Hawkeye, Bucky Barnes, Nick Fury, Thor, and the Hulk have longed for tranquility after their extensive trials, while others like the Scarlet Witch, Ant-Man, and Doctor Strange have consistently found themselves risking their lives for others. Their potential deaths would represent significant turning points in MCU history, especially if they occur right before a reboot ushers in fresh versions of these characters.
In Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Kang the Conqueror disclosed to Scott Lang that he had slain countless Avengers across multiple timelines, to such an extent that he can’t even recall the details of each life he ended. Shortly thereafter, Ant-Man and his entourage managed to defeat Kang, possibly killing him in the process. In the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, Doctor Doom’s actual actions could outshine Kang’s claims if he is portrayed as capable of eliminating multiple Avengers on-screen.
Although new variants of these heroes may return in Phase 7, witnessing favorite characters perish under Doctor Doom’s onslaught could establish him as the most formidable villain in Marvel history. The significant impact of these on-screen deaths would contrast sharply with the mere theoretical losses Kang alluded to in his past. Robert Downey Jr.’s take on Doctor Doom doesn’t need to rack up a death toll comparable to Kang’s for him to resonate more powerfully with audiences; an antagonist’s allure often stems from their narrative depth rather than their sheer power.
Notably, characters like Loki, Killmonger, and Green Goblin showcase more narrative intrigue despite being less powerful than heavyweights like Ultron and Surtur. The eventual death of beloved Avengers in these films would cultivate an emotional bond with the audience far surpassing the off-screen casualties of Kang’s previous ventures. Robert Downey Jr.’s anticipated return to the MCU as Doctor Doom marks a watershed moment in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars.
What lies ahead for Doctor Doom during Phase 6 remains uncertain, but given the parallels drawn between him and Thanos—and acknowledging Robert Downey Jr.’s stature in the franchise—it is likely that Doom will ultimately be defeated. Given his heavy price tag as an actor, it appears unlikely that Downey Jr. will inhabit the role of Doctor Doom for an extended period, as doing so could risk blurring the memories of his iconic portrayal of Iron Man. If a reboot occurs in the MCU, any iteration of Doctor Doom might witness a new performer stepping into those formidable shoes.
Avengers: Secret Wars holds a potential advantage over Endgame: if the final team-up event in Phase 6 honors the heroes’ classic appearances, Doctor Doom, played by Robert Downey Jr., could honorably dispatch numerous heroes or compel several Avengers to lay down their lives in a bid to halt him. Such a twist would parallel Iron Man’s ultimate sacrifice against Thanos, highlighting the cyclical nature of sacrifice and heroism within the MCU. As new variants of Doctor Doom might arise post-reboot, a new actor may choose to portray this character in ways that challenge the heroes without resorting to violent confrontations. With the culmination of Doctor Doom’s arc, the saga of heroes and their sacrifices could leave an unforgettable mark on the Marvel universe.
