Marvel Comics has recently introduced a new origin story forDoctor Doom, which could be crucial in explaining how Robert Downey Jr. debuts as the legendary villain in theMCU. Marvel Studios confirmed at this year’s SDCC that Robert Downey Jr. will soon be returning to the MCU, but not as Tony Stark’s Iron Man, rather as Doctor Doom. With the MCU moving away from Kang the Conqueror, Doctor Doom will now be the primary antagonist of the Multiverse Saga, butRobert Downey Jr.’s casting as Doctor Doomhas caused some confusion.
A new tease from Marvel Comics writer Deniz Camp could provide a fantastic and dark explanation for this surprising casting choice. Back in July,Deniz Campsuggested thataudiences"MUST read"Marvel Comics’Ultimates #4in order to better understand Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom. Camp does go on to note that he doesn’t actually know how the MCU will adapt Doctor Doom, later stating these are nothing more than"dumb tweets"(viaX). Even so, Camp could be right on the money, as adaptingUltimates #4would be an incredible way to bringDoctor Doom into the MCU.
The Maker Turns Reed Richards Into Doctor Doom In 2024’s Ultimates #4
Ultimates #4, By Deniz Camp & Phil Noto, Released On June 21, 2025
While Marvel’s original Ultimate Universe was destroyed during 2015’sSecret Warsevent, 2023 saw that reality’s version ofReed Richards, a.k.a. the Maker, create a new universe in his own image. While the original Ultimate Universe reimagined the known origin stories of Marvel’s characters, this new Ultimate Universe introduces wildly different versions altogether, and the Maker has had a direct hand in forging many of them, including Doctor Doom.Rather than Victor Von Doom, the new Ultimate Universe’s version of the villain is, in fact, Reed Richards.
The Ultimate Universe’s Reed Richards became the villainous Maker instead of the more heroic Mister Fantastic after suffering a series of huge tragedies and immense mental trauma.
In this Ultimate Universe, the Maker traveled back in time to avert the Age of Heroes, inserting himself as the Imperator, the de facto ruler of Earth.Ultimates #4reveals thatthe Maker sabotaged Reed Richards' original calculations after traveling back in time, meaning Sue Storm, Johnny Storm and Ben Grimm were not gifted abilities by the cosmic radiation, but killed instead. Distraught, Reed Richards goes with the Maker to his base of operations, where he is tortured, both physically and psychologically, until he finally accepts the name “Doom.”
The Maker Turns Tony Stark Into Doctor Doom: MCU Theory Explained
Tony Stark Returns With A Dark Twist In Terrifying MCU Theory
Following on from Deniz Camp’s tease thatUltimates #4could be crucial in explaining Robert Downey Jr.’s return to the MCU as Doctor Doom,a new theory has emerged suggesting this version of Doom could be an alternate Tony Stark who has been twisted and corrupted by the Maker(viaNerdist). The MCU’s Tony Stark often walked the line between hero and villain, as he created some of theAvengers' most notable enemies, and led a very morally gray life prior to becoming Iron Man. It likely wouldn’t have taken much to push him over the edge.
How Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom Can Still Be A Tony Stark Variant Explained In Shocking MCU Theory
A shocking new MCU theory could explain how Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom can be both Victor Von Doom and a Tony Stark variant in Phase 6.
Just as the Maker tortured Reed Richards into becoming Doctor Doom, he could do the same to a variant of Tony Stark in the MCU’s Phase 6. Theories have suggested that Downey Jr.’s return could somehow connect to hisvision fromAvengers: Age of Ultron, in which he saw all his friends dead. The Maker could carry out this act, killing off the other Avengers' variants just as he killed off the other members of the Fantastic Four in the new Ultimate Universe. This harrowing story would clearly explain Robert Downey Jr.’s new role.
MCU Theory Perfectly Explains Robert Downey Jr.’s Casting As Doctor Doom
Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom Casting Has Caused Some Confusion
Robert Downey Jr. revealed himself to be coming back to the MCU as Doctor Doom in July, and, since then, there has been a huge amount of confusion surrounding this casting choice.Many have criticized Marvel Studios for this casting, suggesting that a new actor would have been better suited to the role, especially since Downey Jr. didn’t only have a minor role in the Infinity Saga, but was practically the face of the MCU for over a decade. However, this theory could assuage these concerns.
2008
2010
2012
2013
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2026
2027
Victor Von Doom’s Doctor Doom
The Maker’s manipulation of the alternate Tony Stark could convince him that he is, in fact, Victor Von Doom.Robert Downey Jr. confirmed he’d be Victor Von Doom, but speculation and theories are still rife about how this could be the case.AdaptingUltimates #4’sorigin story for Doctor Doom would be the perfect explanation, as this Stark variant would be so beaten and broken down by the Maker that he may simply not know who he originally was. All the necessary pieces have also already been set up for this dark story to unfold in the MCU’s future.
Marvel May Have Already Cast The Multiverse Saga’s True Villain
2015’s Fantastic Four Was Based On The Team From Marvel’s Ultimate Universe
Adapting this story would make it essential for Marvel Studios to introduce a villainous iteration of Reed Richards who became the Maker instead of Mister Fantastic. Luckily, this has already taken place.2015’sFantastic Fourrebootwas inspired by the Fantastic Four team of Marvel’s Ultimate Universe, and Miles Teller portrayed the younger and more arrogant Reed Richards.While his transformation into the Maker wasn’t explored in the movie, this could have certainly occurred in the almost-ten-years since the movie, just in time forAvengers: Doomsday.
Marvel Studios' recentDeadpool & Wolverinepaid homage to many of 20th Century Fox’s Marvel movies, so it makes sense that the MCU’s upcomingThe Fantastic Four: First StepsorAvengers: Doomsdaycould do the same for 2015’sFantastic Four.
Miles Teller is a strong actor who was wasted in 2015’sFantastic Four.Generally considered to be one of the worst superhero movies of all time,Fantastic Fourdidn’t take advantage of its talented stars, but may have laid the foundations forMiles Teller’s Reed Richards to become the Makerin the MCU. Bringing Teller back inAvengers: Doomsdayto manipulate an alternate Tony Stark into becomingDoctor Doomwould be a brilliant way to explain the iconic villain’s debut, and would be a great way to give Teller the superhero franchise redemption he desperately needs.
