Summary

• Robert Downey Jr. returns to the MCU as Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday.
• Downey's history with the Marvel villain makes him a fitting choice.
• Downey's Doctor Doom may come from another universe, setting up a battle with the Avengers.

next Avengers movie. The decision seems to phase out Kang the Conqueror and the Council of Kangs, as Downey will give life to one of the biggest Marvel villains of all time.

Marvel Studios has announced at San Diego Comic-Con, where Screen Rant is in attendance, that Robert Downey Jr. will play Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday. Downey appeared on stage in full Doctor Doom costume before revealing himself (via @rob_keyes/Twitter).

The movie was originally called Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, but with MCU films.

Why Robert Downey Jr. Is Doctor Doom In Avengers: Doomsday

Downey Makes His MCU Return In Shocking Manner

After Marvel's Kang the Conqueror plans fizzled out, the only way to get the MCU back on track was to go bigger. Marvel has been making some changes to how it operates, with the studio now set to focus on its biggest franchises and characters in the coming years. As such, introducing Doctor Doom is the perfect move to set up the final chapter of the Multiverse Saga, and Downey makes for an interesting choice for the role.

While there might be some confusion due to Downey's long time as Iron Man in the MCU, the actor actually has a history with the Marvel villain he will now play. That is because Downey auditioned to portray Doctor Doom in the 2000's Fantastic Four movies. With that past connection and the actor coming off an Oscar-winning villain role in Oppenheimer, RDJ can easily make Doctor Doom a major force in the MCU that requires every hero to work together.

As for how the MCU could explain its Tony Stark actor playing Doctor Doom, the answer is fairly simple. Downey's Doom is coming into the Multiverse Saga, and so he could come from another universe, trying to rule over the multiverse, and that leads to a battle with the Avengers and other heroes. Marvel's Fantastic Four reboot is heavily rumored to take place in another universe, so Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom could come from there and cross over into Earth-616 in Avengers: Doomsday.

Source: Marvel Studios/San Diego Comic-Con & @rob_keyes/Twitter