Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom origin story and why he is a threat to the multiverse are explained through a dark Reed Richards twist in a new Marvel Cinematic Universe theory that brings in a major comic book connection. Victor von Doom has a hard task ahead, replacing Kang the Conqueror as the main villain of the Multiverse Saga. That said, I have full faith that RDJ’s villain turn will lead to two of the best MCU movies.

Avengers: Doomsday‘s story sets up how Doctor Doom comes into the franchise, as The Fantastic Four: First Steps director claimed Doom is not in the film. Despite the villain’s MCU debut being in the Avengers movie, the character could very well still share a key connection with the Fantastic Four. A new MCU theory shows how the upcoming Marvel movie could spotlight Doctor Doom and Reed Richards’ rivalry from the comics through a dark twist that makes Doom’s multiversal mission relatable.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps Director Has Confirmed A Key Multiverse Element

A Major Multiversal Team Could Debut During The MCU’s Ongoing Saga

The Fantastic Four will enter the MCU in a movie that sees the heroes live in a different universe. As such, multiversal elements are to be expected, and some have already been teased, both in trailers and by the actors and director of the film. Recently, The Fantastic Four: First Steps‘ director, Matt Shakman, talked about the comics that inspired him during the making of the MCU movie, and I found some elements quite interesting.

According to Shakman, the Jonathan Hickman-written Fantastic Four run was his biggest inspiration for The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Hearing him say that made me even more excited about the debut of Marvel’s First Family, as Hickman’s Fantastic Four run is one of the team’s best, and he is one of the most popular writers Marvel Comics has right now. Shakman also specifically mentioned the Council of Reeds, a multiversal team of Reed Richards, and the Bridge, which lets Reed look into other universes, which I think is huge for the MCU.

The Council Of Reeds Deals With Doctor Doom Variants In A Dark Way

One Victor Von Doom Is Powerful Enough To Threaten The Multiverse

Speaking about the multiversal team of Mr. Fantastic variants, Shakman revealed he was “thrilled by brain-bending innovations like the Council of Reeds.” The Bridge was also one of the elements from Hickman’s Fantastic Four run that Shakman claimed “made it into our film in small and large ways.” Due to those connections, the MCU director’s comments got me thinking about how The Fantastic Four: First Steps could set up a dark origin story for Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom.

That is because Doctor Doom variants were hunted by the Council of Reeds. Mr. Fantastic is a character who tries to solve everything, making his universe and others better. That is the goal of the Council of Reeds, and Doctor Doom is a direct threat to that. This leads the Council of Reeds to lobotomize Doctor Doom variants and trap them indefinitely, thus making sure they will not damage the multiverse. Shakman’s comments make me think the MCU could have that story in mind.

MCU Theory: Doctor Doom Attacks The Multiverse Because Of The Council Of Reeds

With Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom being the main villain of the MCU’s Multiverse Saga and Matt Shakman confirming the Bridge makes its way into The Fantastic Four: First Steps, as well as praising the Council of Reeds, I believe the villain’s origin story and goal will be tied to the multiversal team. Downey’s Doctor Doom could come to learn of the Council of Reeds and how they are hunting and lobotomizing versions of him all over the multiverse.

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This could put him on a path to kill all versions of Reed and take control of the multiverse to ensure what happened to other Doctor Doom variants does not happen to him. With the Fantastic Four destined to come to Earth-616 in some form — their ship did so in Thunderbolts*‘s post-credits scene — Downey’s Doctor Doom could follow them to go after Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards. This would allow the MCU‘s next Avengers movies to spotlight that classic comic book rivalry and make Doctor Doom more relatable to fans, as his mission makes him the hero of his story.

All Announced Upcoming MCU Movies

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  Thunderbolts*

  Release Date

  
  May 2, 2025
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  The Fantastic Four: First Steps

  Release Date

  
  July 25, 2025
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Avengers: Doomsday

  Release Date

  
  December 18, 2026
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Spider-Man: Brand New Day

  Release Date

  
  July 31, 2026
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Avengers: Secret Wars

  Release Date

  
  December 17, 2027
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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