After the release of Fantastic Four: First Steps, a surprising theory about Robert Downey Jr Doctor Doom’s role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe has sparked intense debate. While RDJ is slated to be the main villain in Avengers: Doomsday and likely Avengers: Secret Wars, fans are questioning whether Marvel Studios is orchestrating a deeper multiversal secret behind his casting.
Doctor Doom’s Introduction in Fantastic Four: First Steps
Doctor Doom made his debut in the MCU’s Fantastic Four: First Steps during the film’s post-credits scene. Set four years after the main storyline, the scene shows Sue Storm reading to a young Franklin Richards, who is quietly approached by a mysterious figure cloaked in green with a familiar metal mask resting at his side. The figure kneels before Franklin, who touches Doom’s face without fear, suggesting a possible connection.
The portrayal of Doctor Doom masked and hidden from direct view, alongside Franklin’s calm reaction, has raised questions about the nature of their relationship. Throughout the film, numerous Easter eggs and comic references deepen the intrigue around the characters’ dynamics and hint at future storylines within the MCU multiverse.
Could Robert Downey Jr.’s Casting Conceal a Bigger Revelation?
Marvel Studios shocked fans with the announcement at San Diego Comic-Con that Robert Downey Jr. would portray Doctor Doom, a role vastly different from his iconic Iron Man. Yet, the details surrounding his character remain purposefully ambiguous, sparking speculation that his casting may mask a larger secret involving the multiverse.
The unsettling familiarity Franklin Richards shows toward Doom challenges the traditional animosity between Victor von Doom and Reed Richards, Franklin’s father. This inconsistency provokes the theory that RDJ’s Doctor Doom might not be the classic Doom from Earth-828—or even a true version of Victor von Doom at all.
According to the Russos’ statement at SDCC, RDJ’s involvement as Doctor Doom illustrates
“the unimaginable possibilities of the Marvel multiverse,”
fueling speculation that his role could represent an unexpected variation or a disguise for a different identity.
Among the boldest ideas circulating is that Marvel purposely cast Robert Downey Jr. to confuse audiences, potentially setting the stage for a Reveal that Pedro Pascal might actually portray the real Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday.
Reasons Supporting Pedro Pascal as the True Doctor Doom
Several elements in Fantastic Four: First Steps have led some viewers to believe Pedro Pascal might be playing dual roles: Reed Richards and an alternate version of Reed who becomes Doctor Doom. This theory suggests the possibility of an evil Reed Richards variant serving as Doctor Doom instead of RDJ’s character.
- Franklin Richards’ lack of fear toward Doom could indicate the masked figure is someone close to him, possibly his own father, rather than Robert Downey Jr.
- Pedro Pascal’s vocal performance as Reed Richards is pitched higher, which could allow him to easily shift into a deeper, more menacing voice for Doctor Doom, similar to his role as Din Djarin in The Mandalorian.
- Subtle references to twins appear throughout Fantastic Four: First Steps, such as spectators of the Fantastic Four’s launch and the screening of a fictional film, Walt Disney’s The Emperor’s Twin, possibly alluding to the Secret Wars storyline involving God Emperor Doom.
- Avengers: Doomsday’s composer, Alan Silvestri, titled the post-credits score “Doom?”—with the question mark perhaps hinting at uncertainty about who this Doom will truly be.
- The concept of an evil Reed Richards aligns with the Ultimate Universe’s character, The Maker, a well-known sinister variant of Mister Fantastic who played a significant role in 2015’s Secret Wars comics.
- Recent Marvel Comics introduced a tortured Reed Richards forced to become Doom, shortly after RDJ’s casting announcement, adding more intrigue to the connection between these narratives.
- When asked if the post-credits Doom was indeed Robert Downey Jr., Fantastic Four: First Steps director Matt Shakman hesitated before confirming, which some interpret as Marvel’s attempt to keep a major surprise under wraps—a tactic seen previously with actors like Andrew Garfield in Spider-Man: No Way Home.
This interpretation could address the MCU’s current lack of a deep rivalry between Victor von Doom and Reed Richards. Instead of traditional opposition, fans might witness a conflict where the “good” Reed clashes with a darker alternate Reed, who uses horrible future outcomes as Doctor Doom’s weapon, embodying a more complex villain within the multiverse.
Such a twist would show a version of Reed Richards corrupted by tragedy and power, potentially reshaping the multiverse according to his ambition, while involving Franklin Richards’s unique connection as a vital element in this story.
What Lies Ahead for RDJ and the MCU’s Multiverse Storyline
Though currently speculative, these theories open the door for major surprises in upcoming MCU phases. Robert Downey Jr. could return as Iron Man in a new role connected with Doctor Doom, or his casting might serve as a diversion to set up Pedro Pascal’s double role as both Reed Richards and an alternate Doom.
Avengers: Doomsday, directed by Anthony and Joe Russo and set for release on December 18, 2026, promises to be a pivotal entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, marking the beginning of Phase 6. Fans can expect a large ensemble cast, including actors such as Chris Hemsworth, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, to join the fight against Victor von Doom.
His return as Doctor Doom, portrayed by Robert Downey Jr., will challenge the heroes while expanding the multiverse’s intricate narrative web. Whether or not Pascal’s role as an evil Reed Richards variant is true, the MCU continues to explore complex themes of identity, family, and destiny through its evolving multiverse saga.
As Fantastic Four: First Steps continues its theatrical run, audiences worldwide are left questioning how deeply the Marvel multiverse will be reshaped by Doctor Doom’s next chapter—and whether Robert Downey Jr.’s role is as straightforward as it first appeared.
