Robert Downey Jr. recently shared an image that suggests his Doctor Doom in theMarvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)may have a more heroic debut inThe Fantastic Four: First Stepsahead ofAvengers: Doomsday. While the MCU has evolved into its own sprawling cinematic universe that exists distinctly outside of the comics, there have been many movies that draw inspiration from the source material in Marvel’s extensive library. This has led to some interesting adaptations of popular storylines, and some unique changes to events from the comics.
However, despite having the names revealed for the Multiverse Saga’s last two entries, and RDJ confirmed to play the infamous Doctor Doom, it’s still unclear how his version of the character will be introduced, and what that could look like in the MCU. Beyond that, it’s still unclear whether RDJ will actually be appearing inThe Fantastic Four: First Steps, or if his on-screen debut as the villain will come inAvengers: Doomsday. However, oneclue dropped by Robert Downey Jr. on his own Instagramsuggests he may be arriving sooner than expected.
Galactus Looks Set To Destroy The Fantastic Four’s Homeworld In The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Galactus Is The Devourer Of Worlds, And The Fantastic Four Are In His Way
The Fantastic Four: First Stepsis going to finally introduce Marvel’s First Family in the MCU, and the film appears to already be stacked with incredible reveals, such as Galactus, Reed and Sue having a baby, and some mystery characters played by big-name talent. And whilespeculation about Galactus destroying the alternate realitythat is home to The Fantastic Four has been circulating since the first trailers, this may also serve to hint at how his story could connect to Doctor Doom.
Beyond the fact that The Fantastic Four currently occupy an alternate timeline in the MCU, and Galactus is arriving to destroy their world, the post-credits scene inThunderbolts*appears to provide further evidence that Reed and the rest of his family will flee to Earth-616 on their ship, likely away from the destruction that Galactus brought to their home world, and everyone they loved. However, since therelationship between Reed Richards and Victor von Doomis such a pivotal one, it’s possible that this version of the character will also hail from the world that The Fantastic Four are fleeing.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps' Story & Robert Downey Jr’s Doctor Doom “Essentials” Make Doom’s Debut Defeat Seem More Likely
Doctor Doom May Have An Unexpectedly Heroic Entrance Into The MCU
Robert Downey Jr. has been dropping some significant hints about what to expect from his Doctor Doom lately, including an Instagram post which included one specific Marvel comic that could hint at what his story will start out like in the MCU. RDJ posted an image which he captioned as being his “Doom workstation essentials.” Among a few less notable items, such as a drink, some tissues, a pair of glasses, and mics, RDJ had a specificDoom one-shot comic written by Jonathan Hickmanwhich features a very interesting story centered on Doctor Doom as the hero, and Galactus as the primary villain.
And if this in fact means that RDJ is revealing more information about how his character will be portrayed early on, it would suggest that Doom could initially be seen as kind of a heroic figure, facing off against Galactus, and trying to save the universe. Due to the recent date that this post was shared, it feelsmuch more likely to be aclue aboutAvengers: Doomsdaythan aboutThe Fantastic Four: First Steps, but assuming he may make his debut earlier, Victor could be a friend and ally to Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards.
Doctor Doom Being Defeated By Galactus Would Be An Oddly Perfect Way To Begin His Story
RDJ’s Doctor Doom Needs A Motivation For His Story Arc In The MCU
However, it could hint at this being how Doom is introduced inAvengers: Doomsday, with the charactergoing head-to-head with Galactuseither before or after the world-eater is done with The Fantastic Four’s home world. This would certainly give the character the motivation he needs to acquire vast amounts of power, and attempt to overpower a being who presents an incredible and enormous threat. In the Hickman story, Doom is defeated by Galactus, and this could lead directly to the character having a larger conflict with other realities, as he tries to build up his army to fight the being who consumed his reality.
It’s not guaranteed that this is howRobert Downey Jr’s Doctor Doomwill be introduced in the MCU, but considering howFirst Stepsis being set up, and the MCU needs to bring these heroes and villains into a major conflict, it makes a lot of sense for Galactus to be a major influence for both the heroic Fantastic Four banding with others to save reality, while Doctor Doom may turn to darker means and seek to take the power for himself in the wake ofThe Fantastic Four: First Steps, and leading into the beginning ofAvengers: Doomsday.
