Robert Downey Jr. could be back as Iron Man in Avengers: Doomsday, as a new Marvel Cinematic Universe update boosts the Tony Stark return theories. 2019’s Avengers: Endgame marked the end of an era for the MCU’s Avengers movies, the MCU as a whole, and Downey. It was the final time RDJ played Tony Stark in the Marvel Studios franchise.

I was heartbroken by Iron Man’s death, but his sacrifice as the MCU’s first hero to take down Thanos was perfect for Avengers: Endgame. It was the ideal ending to the Infinity Saga, as it felt like everything had been building up to that point. Due to that, I never expected Downey to be back in the MCU years later.

Avengers: Doomsday‘s cast will be led by the actor, with Robert Downey Jr. now playing Doctor Doom. Ever since Downey was announced to have returned for the two upcoming Avengers movies, theories about how that could lead to Iron Man coming back to the MCU have become increasingly popular. Now, those Iron Man Avengers: Doomsday theories have gotten an interesting boost.

Robert Downey Jr.’s MCU Return Opened The Door To Iron Man Coming Back

The Actor Could Easily Pull Off Double Duty

At first, the focus of the theories was that Downey could be playing an Iron Man variant from the multiverse that had become Doctor Doom in some way. However, it is important to note that when he was announced for the MCU’s next two Avengers movies, it was revealed that not only was he playing Doctor Doom, but Victor von Doom.

That is the original and most popular version of Doctor Doom. As such, I don’t believe that Downey’s Doctor Doom will be revealed as the Tony Stark from another universe in Avengers: Doomsday. Honestly, that would cheapen Doctor Doom’s MCU arrival. However, the fact that Downey is now open to coming back to the MCU in a major role is intriguing.

After Iron Man died in Avengers: Endgame, I feared that would be the last we saw of Downey in the MCU. The actor went on to win an Oscar for his work in director Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, yet here he is back at Marvel Studios. If Downey is game to play Doctor Doom, then Iron Man coming back is not far-fetched.

Multiple MCU Actors Have Already Played Multiverse Variants

The MCU Multiverse Saga Leaves Many Doors Open

What he might not want is to see Iron Man resurrected. On that, I would agree, as Tony Stark’s MCU arc was beautifully closed by Avengers: Endgame. However, that is far from the only way Marvel could bring Iron Man back in Avengers: Doomsday. In that movie, Stark cracked the code to time travel. Iron Man could return from before his death.

As the upcoming Avengers movies are part of the MCU’s Multiverse Saga, they present an even simpler path for Iron Man’s MCU return. Robert Downey Jr. could play an Iron Man variant — or more — from another universe. Many MCU actors have already gone down the path of playing variants of their characters, and even new stars have taken on popular roles.

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For instance, MCU stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, and Tom Hiddleston have played multiverse versions of Doctor Strange, the Scarlet Witch, and Loki. Chris Evans, who also left the MCU with 2019’s Avengers: Endgame, like Downey, recently returned to the franchise as a version of Johnny Storm, whom he played in two Fantastic Four movies, in 2024’s ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool & Wolverine.

Robert Downey Jr. Shared A Comic Book That Could Connect To Iron Man’s Avengers: Doomsday Return

The Doctor Doom Actor Has Been Sharing Many Teases

Based on all of that, the fact that Robert Downey Jr. shared a new Avengers video that teases Iron Man is just the boost that the Iron Man MCU return theories were looking for. While Avengers: Doomsday is filming, the actor took to social media to share a new video that included two Marvel comics. One of them caught my eye.

While the first was a Secret Wars issue from the 2015 event, which makes sense, as it inspires 2027’s Avengers: Secret Wars and features Doctor Doom heavily, the other had an Iron Man tease. Doctor Doom and Iron Man, Downey’s two MCU characters, can be seen facing off on the cover of the comic book shared by Downey.

That comic happens to be Iron Man: Legacy of Doom, which prominently features Iron Man and Doctor Doom in a story of betrayal and shocking reveals. Iron Man helps Doctor Doom in Hell, but is betrayed, as the villain made a deal with Mephisto for the devil to take Tony Stark. They later end up saving the world together.

What Role Could RDJ’s Iron Man Play In Avengers: Doomsday If He Returns?

The MCU Movie Is Bound To Feature Many Surprises

If Iron Man were to return in Avengers: Doomsday, I could see a few different paths for him. Since Downey plays Doctor Doom, the villain will have the same face as the MCU hero. He could use that to manipulate the Avengers, and after realizing they were played, the heroes pluck the original Tony Stark from before his death.

A multiverse variant of Iron Man appearing as Doctor Doom attempts to control all universes and we see the heroes multiverse-hopping would also make sense for the film. That Iron Man could join the heroes to save his universe. As for the comic book Downey shared, its focus on Iron Man and Doctor Doom fighting boosts the Avengers: Doomsday theories.