There’s… a multiverse theory that’s literally blowing people’s minds. This theory asks how Robert Downey Jr. could return as Doctor Doom in the MCU, and the evidence for it is pretty solid.
There is an old saying that goes, “The MCU doesn’t like to leave open endings” and what happened in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness was a very big open ending. But out of a problem comes another opportunity.
The Illuminati were massacred by Wanda in Doctor Strange 2
Do you remember sitting in the cinema and seeing John Krasinski in the role of Reed Richards? Yes, we are talking about that moment. As Doctor Strange travels through different universes, he arrives on Earth-838.
Then we are introduced to the Illuminati. On Instagram, a fan put forward the wild theory that Robert Downey Jr. could return to the MCU as Doctor Doom.
When Strange arrives on Earth-838, Reed Richards (John Krasinski) explains that he should not be here because reality would be disturbed, which could lead to incursion (the collapse of two universes).
But then Wanda Maximoff aka Scarlet Witch shows up and rips Reed Richards apart (literally). What follows is the Illuminati massacre, leaving every member of the team dead and broken. Although Doctor Strange and Wanda Maximoff cross over to another universe, what about Earth-838, which has lost one of its best teams?
This is where Robert Downey Jr. can return.
Iron Man becomes Doctor Doom, but not our Iron Man
The main universe through which we see everything is called Earth-616. According to the theory, when Doctor Strange visits Earth-838, there is a conspicuously empty chair on the table.
We also see an army of Ultrons escorting Strange to the Illuminati, suggesting that Iron Man was/is actually present in the universe (since Ultron could not have been created without Iron Man).
The theory goes that when Iron Man returns and sees his entire team massacred, he will have no choice but to seek revenge. As previously mentioned, Doctor Strange may have caused a raid between Earth-616 and Earth-838, and this… would be the perfect time for Iron Man to step in as the villainous Doctor Doom.
This mind-blowing theory is backed by some solid evidence, and fans seem to agree. Since the MCU doesn’t like to leave loose ends, the return of Robert Downey Jr. could fit well into this narrative.
This is not the first theory that tries to explain RDJ’s return. However, nothing can be confirmed or denied at this point, as we are talking about the MCU, where anything is possible.
Starring Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom, Avengers: Endgame The release date for “The 40 Fingers” is scheduled for May 1, 2026 in theaters worldwide.
