AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY Reportedly Won’t Explain Why Doctor Doom Looks Like Tony Stark, but SECRET WARS Will
There’s been lots of speculation about Robert Downey Jr. returning to the MCU as Doctor Doom, and a new rumor may offer some clarity on when fans should expect answers.
If you’re hoping Avengers: Doomsday explains why Victor Von Doom looks exactly like Tony Stark, don’t get your hopes up. According to a new report, Marvel is saving that reveal for another movie entirely.
Some fans think Doom is an Iron Man Variant. Others believe Victor literally steals Tony Stark’s face to manipulate Earth-616’s heroes. Some believe here’s just playing Victor Von Doom and that there’s no connection to Stark at all.
It’s been nearly seven years since Downey’s emotional goodbye as Iron Man, and in theory, that’s plenty of time for him to return as a totally different character without any narrative gymnastics. If Doom is a full-on transformation, it could simply be Downey tackling a new kind of role.
Still, most fans aren’t buying that it’s that simple. When Doom removes his mask, the resemblance is just going to feel too intentional to ignore.
That’s where film pundit John Campea comes in. He’s claiming that Marvel won’t address Doom’s Stark-like appearance in Avengers: Doomsday at all. Instead, the explanation is reportedly being held back for Avengers: Secret Wars, suggesting that Doom’s true origins are deeply tied to the endgame of the Multiverse Saga.
Until then, speculation is all we’ve got. One possibility is that Marvel could borrow from the comics and move Victor toward becoming the Infamous Iron Man after Secret Wars, following a version of the storyline where Doom attempts to redeem himself by taking up Tony Stark’s legacy. Whether that sticks or spirals into something darker is anyone’s guess.
What we do know is that these Avengers movie are shaping up to be massive. Anthony Russo and Joe Russo are directing Avengers: Doomsday from a script by Stephen McFeely, continuing their long-running collaboration on the Avengers and Captain America films. Michael Waldron, who worked on Loki and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, also contributed to the screenplay.
Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters on December 18, while Avengers: Secret Wars is locked in for December 17, 2027.