With Avengers: Secret Wars rumored to end with a soft reboot of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, a new report has suggested that a major villain could look different in the next saga.
A new version of a major MCU villain could be introduced after Secret Wars
The MCU has introduced quite a few iconic Marvel supervillains over its 18-year history, most of which have been played by the same actor through their respective appearances. Some noticeable exceptions include the Red Skull, with Ross Marquand succeeding Hugo Weaving, and Thanos, with Josh Brolin replacing Damion Poitier, who only played him in the post-credits scene of Marvel’s The Avengers.
Now, according to trusted scooper Alex Perez of The Cosmic Circus, Robert Downey Jr.’s time as Doctor Doom may be short-lived.
Responding to a fan’s question about the theory that Downey’s Doctor Doom was originally Iron Man until he was tortured by Kang into believing he was Doom, Perez stated, “There is no truth to that theory.”
The scooper added, “In the same way that Chris Evans can play two different characters in the MCU with the same face, so can Robert Downey Jr. play Victor Von Doom. And just like how now we have a main Johnny Storm with Joseph Quinn, I’m hearing we’ll eventually have another Victor Von Doom.”
Downey is the fourth actor to portray Victor Von Doom/Doctor Doom in a live-action Marvel movie. Joseph Culp played him first in the unreleased The Fantastic Four from 1994. Julian McMahon then played the villain in 2005’s Fantastic Four and its 2007 sequel, Rise of the Silver Surfer, before Toby Kebbell took over the role for 2015’s Fantastic Four.
Marvel fans will see Downey at least three times as Doctor Doom in the MCU. He has already made his debut, appearing in the post-credits scene of The Fantastic Four: First Steps. He will then serve as the main antagonist of both Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars.
With Marvel Studios dialing back on its output, there are not many other opportunities for Downey’s Doctor Doom to appear, unless through further post-credits scenes. The only other movie releasing before the conclusion of the Multiverse Saga is Spider-Man: Brand New Day, while the only live-action small-screen offerings will be Vision Quest and the untitled Punisher special.
In the meantime, fans can rest assured that Doctor Doom will appear in Avengers: Doomsday, which arrives in theaters on December 18. 2026.
