Marvel Has Already Set Up Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom In Dark New MCU Theory

Robert Downey Jr.'s return to the MCU as iconic supervillain Doctor Doom will certainly take some explaining, but a new theory suggests Marvel Studios might have already introduced the perfect way to explain his dark turn. After over a decade spent playing Tony Stark's Iron Man, and a five-year hiatus following his sacrifice in Avengers: Endgame, Robert Downey Jr. was confirmed to be returning to the MCU at this year's SDCC presentation in July. Downey Jr.'s return as Doctor Doom has been controversial, but Marvel may already have the perfect explanation.

Custom Image by Kai Young

Doctor Doom is set to be introduced to the MCU in Phase 6's upcoming Avengers: Doomsday as the Multiverse Saga's new primary antagonist, replacing Jonathan Majors' Kang the Conqueror and his variants. Doctor Doom is one of Marvel's most notable and powerful villains, so his debut in the MCU is very exciting, yet Robert Downey Jr.'s casting has caused some confusion. While it's been disputed whether Downey Jr. will portray Victor Von Doom or a variant of Tony Stark, Marvel Studios already has a fantastic way to integrate Doctor Doom into the MCU's current narrative.

Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom May Have Used The Darkhold

Marvel Studios Has Established The Darkhold As A Formidable Weapon

A new theory suggests that Robert Downey Jr. could be portraying a character, whether that be Victor Von Doom or Tony Stark, who acquired power thanks to the Darkhold from his home universe. First seen in 2021's WandaVision, the Darkhold was introduced as a formidable book containing dark spells, knowledge and ancient power. It seems to provide anyone who holds it with significant power and influence, so it would make sense for Doctor Doom to have used the Book of the Damned, perhaps to overthrow Latveria's tyrannical ruler and take the position for himself.

Despite being one of the most recently introduced relics, the Darkhold is more powerful and dangerous than most other weapons in the MCU. For many years, Agatha Harkness used the Darkhold to hide from other witches before the Scarlet Witch stole the book in WandaVision. A chapter of Darkhold is dedicated to the Scarlet Witch, prophesying her either destroying or ruling the world, and she used the book to dream-walk into her variants' bodies. This allowed her to rampage in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, hoping to eventually reunite with her sons.

The Darkhold's spells were originally engraved into the walls of the Darkhold Castle on Mount Wundagore by the demonic entity Chthon, before being transcribed into the physical book. Full of dark magic, acquiring the Darkhold would have certainly twisted a variant of Tony Stark into becoming the villainous Doctor Doom, or perhaps corrupting and enhancing the innocent and powerless Victor Von Doom. Marvel Comics' Doctor Doom has previously used the Darkhold, so it would make sense for Robert Downey Jr.'s new villain to claim it for himself, too.

Doctor Doom Uses The Darkhold In Marvel Comics

Marvel Comics' Doctor Doom Is A Powerful Sorcerer

It wouldn't be outlandish for Marvel Studios to establish a connection between Doctor Doom and the Darkhold in the MCU, as the villain has read the book on numerous occasions in Marvel Comics. While he used a passage from the Darkhold back in the 1990s in order to access Limbo, it's his more recent use of the Book of Sins that has become more notable. 2021's Darkhold series, kicking off with Darkhold Alpha #1, saw Doctor Doom and Zora Vukovic's Victorious read the original version of the book and inadvertently unleash Chthon on the world.

The Darkhold corrupted notable heroes including Iron Man, Blade, Spider-Man, the Wasp and Black Bolt, making them see twisted versions of their lives. To save them, Doctor Doom fought alongside Wanda Maximoff's Scarlet Witch, using the Darkhold to battle Chthon and fight back his forces. The Scarlet Witch eventually absorbed both the book and Chthon, reversing the corruption, while Agatha Harkness would go on to create a new version of the Darkhold in human form. Doctor Doom had a significant role in this story, and this could very easily play out in the MCU.

Doctor Strange 2 Set Up A Great Way To Bring Doctor Doom Into The MCU

Doctor Doom May Have A Vendetta Against The Scarlet Witch

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' focus on the Darkhold confirmed that the mythology of the Scarlet Witch is directly connected to the book. This means that, if Doctor Doom had acquired the Darkhold in his reality, he would know all about the Scarlet Witch, her prophecy, and her significance. However, if the Darkhold was the source of Doctor Doom's power, the events of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, specifically the Scarlet Witch destroying every copy of the Darkhold, may have marked the start of Doctor Doom's vendetta against Earth-616's Wanda Maximoff.

It's also possible that, as a Nexus Being, the MCU's Scarlet Witch could replace the Molecule Man in the upcoming Secret Wars storyline. In 2015's Secret Wars, Doctor Doom uses Owen Reece's Molecule Man to take the power of the Beyonders, allowing him to establish Battleworld after incursions decimate the multiverse. The Scarlet Witch could be hugely important to the schemes and machinations of Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness set up the perfect way to connect these two powerful figures.