Who is Doctor Doom? What's the connection between Marvel's supervillain and Robert Downey Jr's Iron Man?

Out favourite superhero from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Robert Downey Jr had hinted about his return to the Avengers world. While everyone in their reams imagined him returning as heroic version of Iron Man from an alternate universe in Avengers: Secret Wars, the MCU had a different plan altogether. Downey Jr will return to the superhero world for sure - not as a hero but as a supervillain Doctor Doom.

Who is Doctor Doom?

Presenting Victor Von Doom.

Robert Downey Jr. stars in Marvel Studios¡¯ Avengers: Doomsday, in theaters May 2026. #SDCC

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¡ª Marvel Entertainment (@Marvel) July 28, 2024

The character was first introduced in 1962 issue The Fantastic Four as Victor Von Doom, a genius scientist from a fictional European country called Latveria. Victor von Doom has a god complex and is one of the most brilliant minds in Marvel history, with intelligence surpassing even that of Tony Stark. Not just that, he has extraordinary pride in his intellect too - which is one of his defining traits.

As described in the comic, Von Doom gets scarred after a machine that he invented explodes. This leads him to always wear a mask and suit of armor. Considering his intelligence, he also becomes the monarch of Latveria and wants to dominate the world. As per Marvel.com, Doom "craves power, control, and acknowledgment that he's the best at everything. Whether he is using time travel, making deals with demons, or even teaming with his enemies to fight a common foe, Doom's endgame is to be the one in charge."

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Fantastic Four's Reed Richards is his arch-enemy. Both of them met when they were students. For the unversed, Pedro Pascal has been cast as Reed Richards alias Mr Fantastic and will be seen in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, to be released in 2025.

Is Doctor Doom connected to the Marvel superhero Iron Man?

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Since, The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set in an alternate universe, this could mean Doctor Doom originates from there and not from the main timeline of MCU. This could also be a hint that Downey Jr's version of Doom is an evil, alternate Tony Stark.

Furthermore, if you look at the character traits of Doctor Doom, you'd realise RDJ possessed similar qualities in his portrayal of Stark. To play Doom only requires amplifying these traits and completely negating any path to righteousness.

Fans are also sharing their own theories. One of them wrote on Instagram, "My theory. RDJ is playing Doom playing Tony Stark. Tropic Thunder trained him for this. God Emperor Doom (Not RDJ) will be the secret wars villain. They will deny it but they're doing some version of Infamous Iron Man."

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Previously actors like Julian McMahon (in 2005's Fantastic Four) and Toby Kebbell (in 2015's reboot) have played the role of Doctor Doom. The character also played a prominent role in 2015's Secret Wars comic, in which the supervillain created Battleworld, a planet where multiple universes converge. This storyline could inspire the upcoming movie Avengers: Secret Wars.

Fans meanwhile have mixed reactions to the actor who was the face of MCU ever since he starred as Tony Stark in Iron Man in 2008 playing the role of supervillain Doctor Doom. While fans are happy with Robert Downey Jr's return to MCU, others feel Doctor Doom, one of their favorite characters in comic book history, might be sold to them as "Evil Iron Man" instead of as his own distinct character. What do you think of this? Let us know in the comments section below.

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