Iron Man Still Can Return- Robert Downey Jr.’s New Mask Same Task Explains How Doctor Doom Will Bring Back a Superior Iron Man into MCU

There has been hardly an actor who has played such an integral part in the success of the MCU as Robert Downey Jr. Having kickstarted the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe, Downey quite literally changed the fate of comic book movies with his extraordinary portrayal of Iron Man. So when Tony Stark ended up sacrificing himself in Avengers: Endgame, fans cried, wailed, and sobbed.

But as fate would have it, thanks to the endless possibilities of the MCU, Downey is back to the fold of the MCU but not as Iron Man. Instead, the actor will now be portraying one of the most iconic villains of all time: Victor Von Doom aka Doctor Doom. While fans lament the loss of Iron Man still, there is a slight chance that Doctor Doom can bring him back but in a more superior form.

Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom Can Bring Back a Superior Iron Man

‘You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain’, is a quote featured in Christopher Nolan’s masterpiece, The Dark Knight. And it couldn’t be more true for Robert Downey Jr.‘s trajectory in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. After portraying one of the best superheroes of all time on the big screen, the actor is back to portray one of the most prominent villains of the Marvel-verse: Doctor Doom.

Yet, there is a slight chance that his Doctor Doom casting can also bring back his legendary Avenger, Iron Man, in a more superior fashion. According to two Marvel comics: What If? Iron Man: Demon in an Armor Vol 1 1 and Infamous Iron Man, there is a way to have Downey return as Iron Man.

As per What If? Iron Man: Demon in an Armor Vol 1 1, Doctor Doom does an experiment that ends up him exchanging minds with Tony Stark, thus, having all his mystical powers as well as Stark’s acclaim and wealth. As per Infamous Iron Man, Doom takes on an Iron Man mantle and even comes across an elderly Tony Stark, who is now Sorcerer Supreme.

Both these comic book storylines, can not only explain why RDJ is Doctor Doom but bring back an Iron Man superior in abilities thanks to Doom’s mystical powers with the downside of him being utterly evil.

Doctor Doom Taking on the Iron Man Mantle Might Turn Out to be True

The above-mentioned two comics seem to be the most plausible way to bring back Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom without forgetting about his Iron Man. Adapting such a storyline will not only keep things comic-accurate but also help explain why Downey is the perfect choice to portray Victor Von Doom.

Furthermore, when he was first announced as Doctor Doom, Downey stated, ‘New mask, same task,’ and this quote of his seems to imply that there are chances that he might be back as Iron Man but instead be portraying Doctor Doom. Even when a user on Instagram pointed out the two comic book arcs that can be used thus to have Tony Stark back, the Russo brothers liked the post, further fueling the possibility that Doctor Doom can perhaps take on the Iron Man mantle.

 

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However, not all Marvel fans would be keen on having RDJ make a return as his celebrated comic book character, even when he will really be portraying Victor Von Doom. Several fans within the fandom believe RDJ’s legacy as Iron Man is too precious to mess up with a comic book arc like this, instead, it would be better to have him portray a new character, with the multiversal concept explaining why he resembles Tony Stark.

While such theories and rumors will keep coming around, only time will tell what the Russo brothers have in mind for the upcoming flick and whether Robert Downey Jr’s return will give the MCU a new lease of life or not.

Avengers: Doomsday will be in theatres on May 1, 2026.