New Robert Downey Jr. Doctor Doom Theory Suggests A Major Iron Man Twist For The MCU

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A new Doctor Doom theory provides more of an explanation for Robert Downey Jr.'s casting beyond simply being an Iron Man variant. Ever since the shocking MCU reveal at San Diego Comic-Con where Downy was first announced as Doctor Doom, many have wondered how his previous role as Iron Man will come into play (if it does at all). To that end, there is an intriguing theory surrounding Tony Stark's backstory from the comics.
It's repeatedly been said that Robert Downey Jr. is specifically playing "Victor von Doom". This seemingly casts doubt on theories that RDJ is playing a dark variant of Iron Man who becomes Doctor Doom, and is instead playing a more legitimate Doom. However, many are rightfully still holding onto the idea of an Iron Man connection. With all respect to RDJ's proven range, why else would he have been cast by Marvel Studios, if not to have some sort of Iron Man tie? Keeping that in mind, a new MCU theory suggests a Tony Stark twist where both ideas can be true simultaneously.

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2 Tony Stark Was Adopted In Marvel Comics He's Not Howard and Maria's Biological Son

The crux of this new theory is that Tony Stark is adopted in Marvel Comics. In 2012's Iron Man run, it was revealed that Tony Stark was adopted by Howard and Maria Stark due to their struggles to have a second child. In typical comic book fashion, this was connected to the other big reveal that Tony has a secret brother named Arno. Additionally, 2016's International Iron Man series revealed that Tony's mother and father were respectively SHIELD and Hydra agents, resulting in a romance that was naturally doomed to fail. Tony's mother eventually gave him up to SHIELD and was later adopted by Howard.
The reasoning behind Howard and Maria hiding their firstborn involves an alien and Arno Stark having a fatal illness. Essentially, Tony was adopted as a healthy decoy son to deceive this alien whom Howard and Maria tried to love as their own. However, what truly matters where this new MCU theory is concerned is simply that Tony Stark was adopted.
It's Implied The MCU's Iron Man Is The Biological Son Of Howard and Maria But What About Other Timelines?

In the MCU, it's very strongly implied that Tony Stark is indeed the biological son of Howard and Maria Stark. After all, Howard's video message for his son in Iron Man 2 sees him calling Tony "his greatest creation". Likewise, Tony Stark also has a conversation with his father after time-traveling to 1970 (the year of his birth). Not only do they talk about Maria's pregnancy, but Tony also gets to offer advice to his own expecting father about becoming a father.
Some have suggested that there are elements within Endgame's Tony and Howard conversation that point to Tony Stark being adopted in the MCU as well. However, it does seem a little more far-fetched and outside the realm of plausibility at this point. That said, the possibilities of the multiverse are endless, including a timeline in the MCU where Tony Stark was indeed adopted...with connections to Doctor Doom.
Theory: Tony Stark Was Adopted (But Was Born As Victor von Doom) Or, Doom Was Adopted (And Was Originally A Stark) Close Taking the adoption ideas into account, perhaps there's a reality in the MCU multiverse where Tony Stark was adopted by Howard and Maria just like he was in the comics, only to learn later on in life that he was born as Victor von Doom. This would effectively allow Robert Downey Jr. to play Victor von Doom while also having a Tony Stark/Iron Man connection at the same time. Conversely, the idea would also work if it were to be revealed that Victor von Doom was adopted (his rule isn't through blood) and that he was originally a Stark.
At any rate, it's certainly an alternate approach sourced from the comics that arguably goes beyond Infamous Iron Man, Demon In An Armor, and more Iron Man/Doctor Doom explanations that can be found on the page. The adoption route would certainly be an intriguing way to go, whether Tony Stark was once a Doom or Doom was once a Stark. Either way, it does stand as a viable solution for what will no doubt be a major MCU villain going forward.

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Not Yet Rated AdventureSuperheroAction Avengers: Doomsday is the fifth Avengers film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and will bring together heroes, new and old, to face off against Victor von Doom - played by the returning Robert DOwney Jr.. Avengers 5 will also mark the beginning of phase 6 of the MCU.
Director Destin Daniel Cretton Release Date May 1, 2026 Studio(s) Marvel Studios Distributor(s) Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Writers Michael Waldron Cast Kathryn Newton , Iman Vellani , Mark Ruffalo , Hailee Steinfield , Anthony Mackie , Benedict Wong , Simu Liu , Benedict Cumberbatch , Dominique Thorne , Xochitl Gomez , Chris Hemsworth , Brie Larson Franchise(s) The Avengers prequel(s) The Amazing Spider-Man , Shang-Chi 2 , Captain America , Captain Marvel , Daredevil , Ant-Man and the Wasp Budget $356–400 million Expand Upcoming MCU Movies