Fan Theory: How 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' Possibly Sets Up Robert Downey Jr. To Play Doctor Doom

Marvel

Aug 17

Back in 2024, comic book fans and MCU enthusiasts were stunned and excited by the announcement that Doctor Doom, an iconic Marvel villain, would finally be making his grand debut on the big screen, appearing in both Doomsday and Secret Wars. However, the real shocker was the actor chosen to portray the mad doctor: none other than Tony Stark himself, Robert Downey Jr.

Since then, fans have wondered why they picked RDJ to play Doctor Doom. Many have speculated that, since this marks the end of the “Multiverse Saga,” this version of the iconic Marvel villain comes from a universe where Tony Stark turned evil.

Despite being called Doctor Doom, in reality, he might just be Tony Stark with an evil name. However, the latest developments in The Fantastic Four: First Steps provide more insight into this speculation.

We may now have an idea of where this version of Doctor Doom comes from, but the real question remains: why does he have Tony Stark’s face? Well, the final mid-credit scene of The Fantastic Four: First Steps might just give us the answer.

Spoiler for The Fantastic Four: First Steps ahead

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Baby’s First Steps

In The Fantastic Four: First Steps, the story centers around the already established family team, adding a new member: baby Franklin Richards, the son of Sue and Reed Richards. In the movie, it is revealed by the main antagonist, Galactus, that Franklin possesses what is known as "The Power Cosmic"—a great power that, while ill-defined in the movie, can at least revive people, as demonstrated at the end when Franklin brings Sue back from the dead.

So, how do these powers apply to Doctor Doom, and why does he look like Tony Stark?

In the mid-credit scene of the movie, four years have passed, and we see Doctor Doom with a now four year old Franklin. Franklin seemed mesmerized by Doom’s face, for he had taken off his mask to show him. While we don’t see his face, we do see the back of his cloak and hood, and fans of the character instantly recognize him as the Doctor, with the iconic metal mask in hand. Now, why is this? Why is Franklin holding out his face to Doctor Doom, let alone Doom showing Franklin his face?

While not confirmed in the movie, it has been speculated for a while which universe Doctor Doom comes from. There were hints suggesting that he might be from Latveria, the country where Doctor Doom originates in the comics. However, beyond that, the mystery of where the good doctor truly comes from has remained unresolved. This is where the end-credit scene comes into play, adding weight to the theory in question.

Transforming Face

So, basically, the theory is this: Doctor Doom, using Franklin’s “Power Cosmic,” is altering his face to look like Tony Stark as he prepares to travel to Earth-616. Franklin’s powers, at least as shown in Fantastic Four, seem to be nearly omnipotent—capable of feats like bringing Sue Storm back from the dead. Changing someone’s face should be child’s play for the actual child.

Then the question still remains, why does Doctor Doom want to look like Tony Stark? That is still the million-dollar question.

The events of Secret Wars remain quite a ways away, but from what little we know about it from the comics, it will be a multiversal battle to decide which universe lives and which one dies. In the comics, Doctor Doom is at the center of this event, being the one who creates the “Battle World” where the universe.

If Doctor Doom, though, needs to do things in the Earth 616 universe, it would behoove him to take on an appearance of someone who is trusted within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and that person, of course, will be Tony Stark. Perhaps Doom will use his new face to manipulate the various members of the two Avengers teams, to take on the Fantastic Four, and later, each other, to divide and conquer the heroes of the multiverse. One can imagine that when Avengers Doomsday comes out, Doctor Doom pretends to trick the Avengers team, and maybe even Spider-Man, for his own ends.

There is also the possibility that the cosmic powers at play are using Franklin as a vessel to enact some sort of grand plan to prepare the multiverse for a cosmic reset. For the power cosmic, as described in Fantastic Four, is, as of now, vague and mysterious enough to be some grand omnipotent presence that sees both past, present, and future.

The Doctor Is In

It will be interesting to see how Doomsday and Secret Wars play out. Ever since his announcement, everyone has wondered how they will incorporate the mad doctor into the MCU—and perhaps even beyond. Doctor Doom is one of the most iconic characters in Marvel Comics, and fans and comic book enthusiasts alike have been eagerly awaiting his return. The fact that he will be played by one of the most famous actors of our time, and an MCU staple, makes his debut even more exciting. Hopefully, it won’t be as much of a doomsday for Marvel as the title suggests.

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