With the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday on the horizon, Marvel followers are buzzing with theories about how Robert Downey Jr. will make his much-hyped return to the MCU, not as Iron Man, however as the enduring villain Physician Doom. One new idea introduced by a fan on-line suggests a surprising twist to the Latverian ruler’s backstory that, if true, would fully rewrite each Tony Stark’s and Victor Von Doom’s legacies. Frankly, I’m undecided I’m a lot of a fan, however let’s check out it.
What The Fan Concept Suggests Will Occur In Doomsday
The idea, which surfaced on X (previously Twitter), is introduced by @Austin_Medzz and presents the concept the upcoming Marvel film will open with What If…?’s The Watcher (voiced by Jeffrey Wright), leaping from animation to stay motion, narrating the tragic rise of the enduring Unbelievable 4 villain. The fan writes:
#AvengersDoomsday Concept 🚨
The film will open with The Watcher explaining the origin of Physician Doom
‘On this universe Tony Stark was not raised by Howard and Maria Stark… however as a substitute was adopted by Cynthia Von Doom’
In response to the fan’s idea, this alternate universe model of occasions reveals that Tony Stark was by no means raised by Howard and Maria Stark. As an alternative, he was adopted by the Sorcerer-Scientist’s mom, Cynthia Von Doom.
On paper, it’s the sort of cosmic remodeling Marvel’s multiverse saga thrives on. The Watcher framing gadget may make sense, particularly after the recognition of What If…? (obtainable to stream with a Disney+ subscription). However I’m personally not bought on the concept.
Why I Hate The Tony Stark Variant Physician Doom Concept
Folding Tony Stark into Doom’s household tree feels much less like daring storytelling and extra like Marvel attempting too exhausting to power an emotional hook for Downey Jr.’s return. The basic villain is already one of many richest, most compelling antagonists in comics and doesn’t should be a Stark variant. The character’s mixture of genius, ego, and mysticism doesn’t should be retrofitted with Stark DNA to hold dramatic weight, and as a substitute, what makes the concept of Downey returning attention-grabbing to me is to see him painting a completely new character.
The adoption twist apart, opening Doomsday with an exposition dump from a personality like The Watcher (who most moviegoers will in all probability have little or no concept who he’s) feels sort of lame to me. It’s the cinematic equal of handing out Cliff Notes earlier than the story even begins. For a film that’s speculated to mark Robert Downey Jr.’s grand re-entry into the MCU, Marvel wants one thing daring and cinematic, not a lazy narration shortcut.
What Fan’s Are Saying About The Concept
My hate for the fan idea will not be singular, as a result of based mostly on on-line reactions, I’m undoubtedly not alone in pondering it is a fairly lazy means of introducing the villian. Listed below are what some followers are saying:
- @Shafer1337: “0% likelihood that is the way it begins. I’ll wager the whole lot in my checking account.”
- @midoublew: “Multiverse are shit.”
- @supernerdK: “Arduous cross.”
- @tasteslikesalt: “Principally subsequent Avengers film is a fuckin what if episode.”
- @Gaara2024: “once more they actually say he isn’t a Tony Stark Variant in any respect.”
It’s apparent quite a lot of followers need Physician Doom’s debut to really feel like a real occasion, not one thing that performs out like a recycled What If…? episode. Tying Victor’s backstory to Tony’s via an adoption twist dangers diluting what makes Doom such a singular determine. Considered one of Marvel’s best villains’ historical past is marked by loss and unchecked ambitions, making him certainly one of Marvel’s most compelling and terrifying characters.
To be truthful, that is only a fan idea, and Marvel hasn’t confirmed something past Downey Jr.’s casting. Nonetheless, given the MCU’s observe document of bending comedian origins for cinematic comfort, it’s not fully out of the query. And that’s the place my nerves kick in. If Avengers: Doomsday, or Avengers: Secret Wars, use this adoption angle as the muse for its villain, it dangers alienating each long-time followers of Doom and audiences who need Tony Stark’s sacrifice in Endgame to stay significant.
Robert Downey Jr. slipping into the masks of Victor Von Doom is already headline-worthy while not having a convoluted backstory twist. Hopefully, when the movie hits the 2026 film schedule on December 18, 2026, Marvel will belief the villain to face tall on his personal, with out counting on the tech-savvy Avenger’s legacy.