Robert Downey Jr. returns to the Marvel Cinematic Universe to play the role he was considered for before giving life to Iron Man in an intriguing Avengers: Doomsday theory. With the Multiverse Saga, many expect MCU stars to play multiple roles in the upcoming Avengers movies. Chris Evans, who is reportedly part of Avengers: Doomsday‘s cast, recently returned to Marvel as Johnny Storm from the 2000s Fantastic Four movies. That opens the door for him to play both Captain America and the Human Torch in the highly-anticipated MCU film.

Evans is not the only MCU star who has either played a Marvel role before or at least been considered for one before entering the MCU. Downey is the other major player on that list. The actor’s performances as Tony Stark helped make the MCU what it is today, with Iron Man emerging as the franchise’s most popular hero. So far, it has only been announced that Downey will play Doctor Doom in the next Avengers movies in the MCU. However, even if he does not play Tony Stark, Avengers: Doomsday could connect RDJ to his Marvel past in another way.

Robert Downey Jr. Was Considered For Doctor Doom Way Before The MCU

Marvel Studios Almost Pulled Two Fantastic Four Stars For The MCU

Downey and Evans would become the faces of the MCU for their work as Iron Man and Captain America. However, they almost starred in another Marvel franchise together, and it would have featured them as enemies instead of the ally dynamic for most of their time in the MCU. The reason for that is Robert Downey Jr. was considered to play Doctor Doom in the 2000s Fantastic Four movies, which starred Evans as Johnny Storm, aka the Human Torch. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige and Iron Man director Jon Favreau revealed it in a featurette for Iron Man‘s 15th anniversary.

Feige and Favreau did not reveal how far beyond his audition Downey got in the casting process, but it is very interesting that the idea of him playing Doctor Doom stayed with the MCU’s creator after all those years. After all, a recent interview with Omelete saw the Russo Brothers, who will direct the next two Avengers movies, reconfirm that casting Downey as Victor von Doom was a decision made by Feige. It would certainly have elevated the 2000s Fantastic Four movies, as Julian McMahon’s version of Doom does not really stand out.

Avengers: Doomsday Theory Makes RDJ’s Lost Marvel Role A Reality

The MCU Is Going To Use The Multiverse In Major Ways

A new Avengers: Doomsday theory shared on Reddit by user Key_Cattle_5525 explains how Robert Downey Jr.’s MCU version of Doctor Doom and the Victor von Doom he almost played in the 2000s Fantastic Four movies could be one and the same. No, that would not mean that Downey is serving as a recast version of McMahon’s Doom. The Marvel theory uses ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool & Wolverine and the Void to bring RDJ’s scrapped Doctor Doom to life. Downey is confirmed to be playing Victor von Doom, so the theory does not make him a Tony Stark variant.

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Instead, he would be a variant of the versions of Doctor Doom seen in Fox’s Fantastic Four movies, which were played by McMahon and Toby Kebbell. The Avengers: Doomsday theory hinges on ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool & Wolverine‘s use of the Void, which featured the broken 20th Century Fox logo, as well as characters from Fox’s Marvel films, which are now ᴅᴇᴀᴅ after the MCU got the rights back to them. The Void can serve as the place where scrapped characters and concepts go, making them multiverse variants. Downey’s Doctor Doom would have been pruned by the TVA, coming from Earth-10005, the X-Men’s.

ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool & Wolverine Showed How Marvel Can Use Scrapped Concepts

The Film’s Most Talked-About Character Came From That

More than just putting characters from past Marvel projects into the Void, ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool & Wolverine made a scrapped player the film’s breakout character. Channing Tatum was cast as Gambit in 2014, but his solo movie was stuck in development hell and never materialized. The actor finally had the chance to portray Remy LeBeau in live-action in ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool & Wolverine, and with a mix of Gambit’s iconic costume, impactful action, and Tatum’s impeccable comedic timing, he was the film’s breakout character. Since Tatum’s Gambit had never appeared onscreen before ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool & Wolverine, Downey’s Doctor Doom could follow suit.

Downey’s Doctor Doom could have been pruned from a similar version of the Fantastic Four movies from the 2000s, which leads to him growing bitter and plotting to take over the multiverse after he leaves the Void. This would give him a strong motivation to take down the TVA, and as the organization now protects the multiverse alongside Loki, Doom would have all the power he needs to create Battleworld as he does in the comics and start ruling. Avengers: Doomsday could pull the same successful move ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool & Wolverine did.

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 (2026)

  
  
  
  
  

  
  

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  MCU Spider-Man 4

  Release Date

  
  July 24, 2026
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Avengers: Secret Wars

  Release Date

  
  May 7, 2027
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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