After appearing briefly in theMCU, it’s actually OK that Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom has already broken comics canon ahead of his feature-length debut inAvengers: DoomsdayandAvengers: Secret Wars.These movies are slated for release on August 03, 2025, and July 09, 2025, respectively.
Speculation has been running rampant ever since Robert Downey Jr. was announced to be portraying thenew arch-villain of the Multiverse Saga, Doctor Doom. Given RDJ’s inexorable ties to the Infinity Saga’s de facto protagonist, Iron Man, the biggest question surrounding his return concerns whether hisDoctor Doom will be a Tony Stark variant.
This has been the cause of some concern among comic book fans. Doctor Doom is one of Marvel Comics' most sacrosanct characters, with a defined backstory that is not tied to Tony Stark in any way. Doctor Doom’s true identity is Victor Von Doom, the ruler of Latveria, who attended university with his arch-rival, Reed Richards.
In those early days, Doctor Doom’s face was horribly scarred after a machine he was working on exploded. His obsession with perfection, however, compels him to don a metal mask and never take it off. Nevertheless, it seems as though the MCU is about to flout this defining characteristic, shakingconfidence in RDJ’s rendition of Doom.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps Set A Precedent For RDJ’s Doctor Doom
Doctor Doom finally appeared for the first time in thepost-credits scene ofThe Fantastic Four: First Steps. The scene takes place four years after the main events of the movie, showing theMCU’s newest, most powerful character, Franklin Richards, as a toddler being read to by his mother, Sue, whom he resurrected.
Doctor Doom appears while Sue has turned her back, crouching before Franklin with his face obscured by his green hood. One of the most notable aspects of this appearance is the fact thathe holds his mask in his hand, exposing his face to Franklinas the young mutant reaches out to touch it.
The fact thatthe first scene in which Doctor Doom appears shows him removing his mask seems to set a precedentfor the character. A prevailing theory aboutDoctor Doom’s first sceneis that Franklin, who has mind-bending reality-warping powers, is healing Doom’s scars, negating the need for his mask.
Whether this is what is occurring remains to be seen. Nevertheless,it makes sense that Marvel Studios will wish to capitalize on Robert Downey Jr.’s visage, as his star power is second to none. While this has stoked concern about Doom’s characterization in the MCU, it nonetheless has some precedent in Marvel Comics within an applicable storyline.
Doom’s Face Healing Is Actually Comics-Accurate
Doctor Doom’s face has been healed multiple timesin Marvel Comics. Two of the most applicable instances, however, occur in both of Marvel Comics’Secret Warsruns. Given thatAvengers: DoomsdayandAvengers: Secret Warsdirectors, the Russo brothers, stated that they will be drawing from both runs for their movies, this feels particularly pertinent.
While Doctor Doom’s face is admittedly healed at the very end of the 2015 run ofSecret Wars, it becomes a key plot point in 1984’sSecret Warscomics. In this run,Doctor Doom acquires the godlike powers of the Beyonder and swiftly uses this power to heal his scars.
Doctor Doom’s scars return once Doom loses his new godlike powers. However,the fact that he is devoid of scars at the peak of his villainy within the run feels particularly pertinentforthe upcoming Avengers movies. What’s more is that some recent information suggests that Doom will already boast Beyonder-level powers.
Recent Announcements Suggest That Doom Will Already Be At His Most Powerful In Avengers: Doomsday
The first wave of confirmedcast members forAvengers: Doomsdayrevealed that the movie will star a who’s-who of Marvel superheroes. Alongside the expected inclusion of Avengers like Captain America and MCU newcomers, the Fantastic Four, were several actors from Fox’s X-Men franchise. This signifies thatseveral superhero teams will be teaming up in the movie.
In fact, Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige went on to confirm this, stating that the Avengers, Wakandans, Fantastic Four, New Avengers, and the X-Men will team up to face the movie’s arch-villain. Needless to say,this constitutes some significant firepower to go up against one villain. What’s more is that their ranks are to be bolstered by more heroes.
The combined might of such characters as Thor, Loki, and Sentry suggests that Doctor Doom will be a particularly formidable foewithinAvengers: Doomsday. This, in turn, suggests that Doctor Doom may immediately boast the Beyonder-like powers he acquires in both hisSecret Warscomic book appearances.
If that is the case, or if Franklin Richards aided him with his own powers, thenit’s feasible that Doom will heal his face as he did in the 1984 run. The fact that this has a comic book precedent consequently numbs the sting of having Doom appear without his mask.
Why It Is OK That Doctor Doom Removes His Mask In His MCU Debut
Fans expected Doom to make an appearance in the Multiverse Saga as soon as the title ofAvengers: Secret Warswas announced, given his centrality to the plot in Marvel Comics. Nevertheless, after he was announced to be replacing Kang in the fifth Avengers movie in 2024,it became apparent that there was little room to establish the character beforehand.
Instead, audiences will presumably be introduced to RDJ’s Doom at the height of his villainy inAvengers: Doomsday. With Robert Downey Jr. embodying the role, it’s fair to say that his talents will shine best with his mask removed. It is additionallylikely to help elevate the Multiverse Saga by homing in on Doom (or Tony Stark) being a variant.
It is unlikely that RDJ will portray Doctor Doom in the future of theMCU, which is confirmed to be rebootingafter the Multiverse Saga. Instead, if Doom’s MCU debut sees him remove his mask, then a new, probably lesser-known actor can portray the newest rendition of the character.
If that is the case,then the MCU can delve into an entirely comics-accurate portrayal of Doctor Doom and flesh out his backstory. Ultimately, with Doom’s mask removal being true to theSecret Warscomics, it makes sense that he would do the same inAvengers: DoomsdayandAvengers: Secret Wars,with RDJ sure to do the character justice.
Avengers: Doomsday
Cast
Avengers: Doomsday is the fifth Avengers film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and will bring together heroes, new and old, to face off against Victor von Doom - played by the returning Robert Downey Jr.. Avengers 5 will also mark the beginning of phase 6 of the MCU.
Avengers: Secret Wars
Avengers: Secret Wars is an anticipated installment in Phase 6 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, serving as the finale of The Multiverse Saga. Scheduled for release in December 2027, the film’s plot remains under wraps, fueling curiosity about its role in the expansive Marvel narrative.
