Doctor Doom Becomes An MCU Hero Thanks To A Years-Awaited Marvel Villain In Phase 6 Theory

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A new theory suggests that Doctor Doom might debut in the MCU as a hero, perhaps helping the Avengers to fight one of Marvel Studios" most heavily-rumored and highly-anticipated supervillains. There has been a great deal of confusion and speculation surrounding Robert Downey Jr."s return to the MCU, as he will be debuting as the iconic Doctor Doom, rather than reprising his former role of Iron Man. While there are concerns about Downey Jr."s stint as one of Marvel"s most notable villains, a new theory puts a heroic spin on his return.
Robert Downey Jr. was confirmed to be debuting as Doctor Doom in Phase 6"s Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars, replacing Jonathan Majors" Kang the Conqueror and his variants as the Multiverse Saga"s primary antagonist. While Doom is expected to be the biggest threat facing the MCU"s upcoming Avengers teams, there is speculation that several other villains could also play a part in the Multiverse Saga"s epic conclusion. One of these villains has been heavily rumored for several years, and could provide the perfect explanation for Doctor Doom"s MCU debut.

Related I’ve Worked Out Which Marvel Story Would Be Perfect For Doctor Doom’s MCU Debut Robert Downey Jr. has been confirmed to be bringing Doctor Doom to the MCU, and I know which story would be great for his debut in Avengers: Doomsday.
Mephisto Has Been Rumored For Several Upcoming Projects Mephisto Is One Of Marvel's Most Significant & Recognizable Supervillains

As well as Doctor Doom, popular theories have suggested that Mephisto will also soon debut in the MCU. First seen in Marvel Comics in 1968"s Silver Surfer #3, Mephisto is Marvel"s most notable demon, and one of the most formidable, powerful and terrifying supervillains in comic book history. Mephisto"s longevity has meant that he has come into conflict with practically every hero in the Marvel Universe, which means there are several places in the MCU"s Multiverse Saga where he could appear. This has been the source of major MCU rumors.
Mephisto was previously played by Peter Fonda in 2007"s Ghost Rider movie, and by Ciarán Hinds in the 2011 sequel, Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance.
There was huge speculation that Mephisto was going to debut in 2021"s WandaVision, and this made sense, given his connection to the Scarlet Witch and her children in Marvel Comics, but this didn"t come to fruition. New speculation hints at the villain possibly debuting in Agatha All Along, which will be confirmed soon, or perhaps the upcoming Ironheart series. Sacha Baron Cohen has been rumored to portray Mephisto in Ironheart, which is supported by the inclusion of Anthony Ramos" Parker Robbins, a.k.a. the Hood, who gets his powers from Mephisto in Marvel Comics.
Doctor Doom & Mephisto’s Marvel Comics Feud Explained Doctor Doom Is One Of Mephisto's Greatest Enemies In Marvel Comics Close Mephisto hasn"t only opposed Marvel"s heroes in the decades since his debut, but he has also contributed to one of Marvel Comics" most iconic feuds with Doctor Doom. Victor Von Doom"s hatred for Mephisto dates back to his early childhood, and has persisted throughout the entire duration of both villains" Marvel Comics histories, so it would be fantastic to see this adapted for the MCU. Victor Von Doom was born to Werner and Cynthia, the latter of whom dabbled in the Mystic Arts in rebellion to Latveria"s tyrannical ruler, and this brought her into contact with Mephisto.
Cynthia Von Doom made a deal with Mephisto, gifting her power in exchange for the souls of children from a nearby village. Wrought with guilt, Cynthia allowed the king"s soldiers to kill her, trapping her in Mephisto"s hellish realm for eternity. This had a transformative impact on the young Victor, who went into the field of science in search of a way to enter Mephisto"s realm. During one experiment, it worked, and Victor came face-to-face with Mephisto, but was taunted by the demon and sent back to Earth, being scarred by his malfunctioning machine in the process.
Doctor Doom Live-Action Actor
Debut Movie
Year
Joseph Culp
The Fantastic Four (Unreleased)
1994
Julian McMahon
Fantastic Four
2005
Toby Kebbell
Fantastic Four
2015
Robert Downey Jr.
Avengers: Doomsday
2026
This kick-started Victor"s evolution into Doctor Doom, and as he acquired more power, he came into conflict against Mephisto time and again, each time hoping to save his mother. This complexity has never been seen in Doctor Doom"s previous live-action adaptations, but would make for the perfect debut of Robert Downey Jr."s Doctor Doom in the MCU. One story, in particular, could bring back an MCU veteran for Doctor Doom"s first adventure in the MCU, as he once battled Mephisto alongside Doctor Strange.
Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom Could Fight Mephisto As A Hero Alongside The Avengers Doctor Doom Has Fought Alongside Marvel's Heroes On Several Occasions

So far, the most popular theories concerning Robert Downey Jr."s debut as Doctor Doom have suggested he will join the MCU as a villain. However, it"s very possible that, if Mephisto does appear in Agatha All Along, Ironheart or another upcoming project, Doctor Doom could be introduced as a staunch hero in the MCU. This would be the perfect opportunity for Marvel Studios to showcase new sides to the iconic Marvel Comics character that have never before been seen in live-action.

Related Marvel's Doctor Doom Should Copy The 1 MCU Villain Who Changed Everything Doctor Doom could be set up for a bright and lengthy career in the MCU by copying one other notable villain who"s been around since Phase 1.
While Doctor Doom is one of Marvel"s most notable supervillains, he has been depicted as an antihero on several occasions. This has regularly involved him selfishly teaming up with Marvel"s heroes when their goals aligned, such as when he fought against Onslaught, helped Spider-Man save Aunt May, provided refuge for Namor"s Atlanteans and saved Iron Man after the Secret Wars event. Featuring an epic battle against Mephisto in Avengers: Doomsday could see Doctor Doom debut as a powerful hero, but this wouldn"t stop his descent into villainy.
How Doctor Doom Can Still Be A Villain In Phase 6 After His Mephisto Battle The MCU's Phase 6 Could Explore Doctor Doom's Transformation From Hero To Villain

While Avengers: Doomsday could feature a battle between Mephisto and Doctor Doom, the MCU"s Phase 6 can still explore Doom"s stint as a villain. This is especially likely as returning directing duo the Russo brothers seem committed to delivering a comic-accurate telling of the Secret Wars storyline in 2027"s Avengers: Secret Wars. During the 2015 version of this event, Doctor Doom, perhaps somewhat heroically, using cosmic power to establish the patchwork planet of Battleworld after incursions destroyed the universe, saving many, but setting himself up as "God Emperor Doom."
MCU"s Phase 6 can still explore Doom"s stint as a villain.
His tyrannical reign over Battleworld saw him both at his most heroic and most villainous, and this would be an incredible juxtaposition to display in the MCU"s upcoming Avengers: Secret Wars. Fighting Mephisto could team him up with Earth"s Mightiest Heroes, who then attempt to stop incursions from ravaging the multiverse, leading Doom to acquire power and build Battleworld. This gives Robert Downey Jr."s Doctor Doom a crucial role in the Multiverse Saga, while setting up one of the most interesting depictions of Doctor Doom for the MCU"s future.

Marvel Cinematic Universe The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a multimedia superhero franchise that began in 2008 with Paramount's Iron Man starring Robert Downey Jr. The franchise quickly grew in popularity, with Disney eventually buying out Marvel Entertainment in 2009. The MCU consists of dozens of movies and TV shows, most notably Avengers: Endgame, WandaVision, and Loki.
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