Avengers: Doomsday has officially confirmed Robert Downey Jr. (RDJ) as Doctor Doom, but speculation is mounting about whether his role will also tie back to his original MCU character, Iron Man. Given Tony Stark’s sacrifice in Avengers: Endgame, how could RDJ’s Victor Von Doom be connected to his legacy?
Speaking to The Times while promoting The Electric State, directors Joe and Anthony Russo teased that Downey’s Doom would have deep narrative ties to the MCU’s past, stating, “We can’t explain that as it’s part of the story. But there’s nobody else in the world who could play this character the way he’s about to.”
With Doom’s confirmed involvement in Avengers: Doomsday (set for release on May 1, 2026), here are the most likely ways his story could intersect with Iron Man.
Could Doctor Doom Be a Multiversal Tony Stark Variant?
One possibility is that RDJ’s Doctor Doom is actually a Tony Stark from an alternate universe where his life took a much darker turn. The MCU’s Multiverse Saga has already introduced the concept of alternate versions of heroes (Spider-Man: No Way Home, Loki, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness), making this theory viable.
How This Would Work:
- In this universe, Tony experiences a different origin—perhaps a failed Iron Man experiment leads to Victor Von Doom’s tragic transformation instead.
- Instead of becoming a self-sacrificing hero, this version of Stark embraces power and control, establishing himself as Doom.
- His Iron Man technology could be reimagined into his signature Doom armor, incorporating elements of both characters.
Comic Precedent:
- In the Infamous Iron Man storyline (2016), Doom briefly takes on Iron Man’s identity, using his armor and tech to fight crime before reverting to villainy.
- In Marvel Team-Up #2, Tony Stark is revealed to be an alternate universe’s Doctor Doom, known as Iron Maniac.
MCU Fit:
This approach would allow RDJ to blend Tony’s charisma with Doom’s menace, making him a powerful and emotional antagonist.
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Could Doom Exploit Stark’s Legacy?
Rather than being an alternate Tony, Doctor Doom could instead manipulate Iron Man’s legacy for his own purposes.
How This Would Work:
- Doom could gain access to Stark Industries technology, using it to bolster his own power.
- He could harness remnants of Iron Man’s AI (similar to J.A.R.V.I.S. or F.R.I.D.A.Y.) to create an army of Doom-bots that mimic Iron Man.
- By posing as a resurrected Tony Stark, Doom could deceive the world long enough to enact his master plan.
Comic Precedent:
- In Dark Reign, Doom has manipulated technology and identities to deceive heroes.
- Infamous Iron Man explored Doom adopting Iron Man’s role after Tony’s death.
MCU Fit:
Given how Stark drones were misused in Spider-Man: Far From Home, Doctor Doom could similarly use Iron Man’s inventions to cement his influence over Earth-616.
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Could Tony Stark Have Turned Evil Instead of Good?
In another timeline, Tony Stark could have become a villain instead of a hero. Instead of sacrificing himself for the universe in Endgame, he could have become a power-hungry ruler akin to Doom.
How This Would Work:
- After being captured by the Ten Rings, Tony chooses a path of domination rather than redemption.
- Instead of founding the Avengers, he creates a technological empire similar to Latveria.
- He uses his genius for control rather than protection, aligning himself with the ideologies of Doctor Doom.
Comic Precedent:
- In What If? Iron Man: Demon in an Armor #1, Tony and Doom switch lives, showing how easily Stark could have become Doom.
- In Exiles #23, Tony Stark kills Doctor Doom and becomes the ruler of Earth.
MCU Fit:
This would present Doom as a dark reflection of Tony Stark, reinforcing the idea that Iron Man’s influence still looms large in the MCU.
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Could Doctor Doom Be Using Tony Stark’s AI?
With Tony Stark’s vast intellect and technological advancements, it’s possible that Doctor Doom has acquired a copy of Tony’s AI consciousness.
How This Would Work:
- Doom hacks into Stark’s AI records, potentially resurrecting Tony in a digital form to serve his empire.
- An AI Tony could be used to manipulate the Avengers, possibly pretending to be a posthumous message but actually serving Doom’s will.
- This AI could struggle between Iron Man’s original programming and Doom’s corruption.
Comic Precedent:
- Iron Man 2020 features Tony living on as an AI, struggling with his sense of identity.
- Avengers Forever explored multiversal versions of Tony Stark in different roles.
MCU Fit:
An AI Tony could interact with Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) or Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), creating emotional weight for characters still mourning his death.
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Could Tony Stark and Victor Von Doom Have Swapped Bodies?
Another radical possibility is that Doctor Doom is actually Tony Stark, with the two having switched bodies at some point.
How This Would Work:
- A multiversal accident or mystical event (possibly involving Kang or the Time Variance Authority) causes Tony and Doom to swap minds.
- Tony is trapped in Doom’s body while Doom impersonates Tony Stark, leading to chaos within the MCU.
- This would allow RDJ to play both characters in an intense, psychological battle.
Comic Precedent:
- In What If? Iron Man: Demon in an Armor, Tony and Doom swap lives, each taking on the other’s role.
- The Exiles comics also explored similar multiversal body swaps.
MCU Fit:
This could serve as a major twist in Avengers: Doomsday, with Doctor Doom revealing he is actually a displaced Tony Stark from another timeline.
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How Will RDJ’s Doctor Doom Connect to Iron Man?
While Tony Stark’s death in Avengers: Endgame remains one of the most definitive moments in MCU history, Avengers: Doomsday presents an opportunity to revisit his legacy in a new way. Whether Doctor Doom is a multiversal Tony Stark, manipulates Iron Man’s technology, or even interacts with an AI Tony, RDJ’s dual role ensures that Iron Man’s impact will still be felt in Phase Six.
With filming beginning in Spring 2025 and Avengers: Doomsday set for release on May 1, 2026, fans will have to wait to see how Doctor Doom and Iron Man’s legacies collide.
Source: The Direct
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