{"id":16109,"date":"2026-07-24T22:00:05","date_gmt":"2026-07-24T17:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=16109"},"modified":"2026-07-24T22:00:05","modified_gmt":"2026-07-24T17:00:05","slug":"doctor-doom-iron-mans-mcu-connection-was-revealed-7-years-before-avengers-doomsday-theory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=16109","title":{"rendered":"Doctor Doom &#038; Iron Man&#8217;s MCU Connection Was Revealed 7 Years Before Avengers: Doomsday (Theory)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>The Marvel Cinematic Universe is poised to connect Doctor Doom and Iron Man in <a href=\"https:\/\/screenrant.com\/db\/movie\/avengers-5\/\" target=\"_blank\"><em><strong>Avengers: Doomsday<\/strong><\/em><\/a> and <em>Avengers: Secret Wars<\/em>, and while the exact explanation has not come, a Marvel theory suggests it was already revealed years ago. Theories have been running wild for nearly two years about how Victor Von Doom and Tony Stark may be tied, ever since <a href=\"https:\/\/screenrant.com\/mcu-doctor-doom-cast-robert-downey-jr\/\" target=\"_blank\">Robert Downey Jr.&#8217;s casting was announced at San Diego Comic-Con 2024<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<p>The biggest assumption for <a href=\"https:\/\/screenrant.com\/robert-downey-jr-recast-doctor-doom-not-iron-man-explained\/\" target=\"_blank\">why Marvel recast RDJ<\/a> with this villain role has been that they are variants of each other. As the big bad of the Multiverse Saga&#8217;s conclusion, linking Iron Man and Doctor Doom in this way would make sense for the larger universe and explain why Downey specifically had to be the one to play Victor. However, a non-multiverse-specific explanation appears to be coming.<\/p>\n<p>The Russo brothers have confirmed that the next two <a href=\"https:\/\/screenrant.com\/avengers-doomsday-tony-stark-doctor-doom-connection-explain-russos\/\" target=\"_blank\"><em>Avengers<\/em> movies will explain how Doctor Doom and Iron Man are connected<\/a>. Joe said, <em>&#8220;It will all make sense when you watch the movies.&#8221;<\/em> Anthony hinted at the connection reshaping the very fabric of Doom&#8217;s conception, saying, <em>&#8220;It\u2019s a brand new character that you can\u2019t even guess at.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"w-display-card-vignette\">\n<div class=\"mc-quiz\">\n<p>  <canvas class=\"mc-particles\" id=\"mc-particles\"\/><\/p>\n<p>  <input type=\"radio\" id=\"mc-s0\" name=\"mc-step\" checked=\"checked\"\/><br \/>\n  <input type=\"radio\" id=\"mc-s1\" name=\"mc-step\"\/><br \/>\n  <input type=\"radio\" id=\"mc-s2\" name=\"mc-step\"\/><br \/>\n  <input type=\"radio\" id=\"mc-s3\" name=\"mc-step\"\/><br \/>\n  <input type=\"radio\" id=\"mc-s4\" name=\"mc-step\"\/><br \/>\n  <input type=\"radio\" id=\"mc-s5\" name=\"mc-step\"\/><br \/>\n  <input type=\"radio\" id=\"mc-s6\" name=\"mc-step\"\/><br \/>\n  <input type=\"radio\" id=\"mc-s7\" name=\"mc-step\"\/><br \/>\n  <input type=\"radio\" id=\"mc-s8\" name=\"mc-step\"\/><br \/>\n  <input type=\"radio\" id=\"mc-sR\" name=\"mc-step\"\/><\/p>\n<p>  <input type=\"radio\" id=\"mc-q1a\" name=\"mc-q1\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"mc-q1b\" name=\"mc-q1\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"mc-q1c\" name=\"mc-q1\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"mc-q1d\" name=\"mc-q1\"\/><br \/>\n  <input type=\"radio\" id=\"mc-q2a\" name=\"mc-q2\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"mc-q2b\" name=\"mc-q2\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"mc-q2c\" name=\"mc-q2\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"mc-q2d\" name=\"mc-q2\"\/><br \/>\n  <input type=\"radio\" id=\"mc-q3a\" name=\"mc-q3\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"mc-q3b\" name=\"mc-q3\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"mc-q3c\" name=\"mc-q3\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"mc-q3d\" name=\"mc-q3\"\/><br \/>\n  <input type=\"radio\" id=\"mc-q4a\" name=\"mc-q4\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"mc-q4b\" name=\"mc-q4\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"mc-q4c\" name=\"mc-q4\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"mc-q4d\" name=\"mc-q4\"\/><br \/>\n  <input type=\"radio\" id=\"mc-q5a\" name=\"mc-q5\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"mc-q5b\" name=\"mc-q5\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"mc-q5c\" name=\"mc-q5\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"mc-q5d\" name=\"mc-q5\"\/><br \/>\n  <input type=\"radio\" id=\"mc-q6a\" name=\"mc-q6\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"mc-q6b\" name=\"mc-q6\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"mc-q6c\" name=\"mc-q6\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"mc-q6d\" name=\"mc-q6\"\/><br \/>\n  <input type=\"radio\" id=\"mc-q7a\" name=\"mc-q7\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"mc-q7b\" name=\"mc-q7\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"mc-q7c\" name=\"mc-q7\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"mc-q7d\" name=\"mc-q7\"\/><br \/>\n  <input type=\"radio\" id=\"mc-q8a\" name=\"mc-q8\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"mc-q8b\" name=\"mc-q8\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"mc-q8c\" name=\"mc-q8\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"mc-q8d\" name=\"mc-q8\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"mc-slides\">\n<p>    <!-- INTRO --><\/p>\n<section class=\"mc-slide mc-sl0\">\n<div class=\"mc-intro-box\">\n        <span class=\"mc-ep-label\">From \u201cI Am Iron Man\u201d to \u201cI Am Inevitable\u201d \u00b7 Eight Questions<\/span><br \/>\n        <span class=\"mc-main-title\">How Well Do You Know the MCU?<\/span><br \/>\n        <span class=\"mc-crawl-sub\">\u201cWhatever it takes.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"mc-theme-previews\">\n<p><span class=\"mc-theme-icon\">\ud83e\udd16<\/span><span class=\"mc-theme-name\" style=\"color:#ee3838\">Phase One<\/span><span class=\"mc-theme-words\">RDJ &amp; the founders, 2008<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"mc-theme-icon\">\ud83d\udee1<\/span><span class=\"mc-theme-name\" style=\"color:#58a0e0\">The Avengers<\/span><span class=\"mc-theme-words\">Whedon\u2019s team, 2012<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"mc-theme-icon\">\ud83d\udc8e<\/span><span class=\"mc-theme-name\" style=\"color:#a080d8\">Infinity Saga<\/span><span class=\"mc-theme-words\">Thanos &amp; the stones<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"mc-theme-icon\">\u26a1<\/span><span class=\"mc-theme-name\" style=\"color:#f0b840\">Endgame<\/span><span class=\"mc-theme-words\">Whatever it takes, 2019<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"mc-theme-icon\">\ud83c\udf0f<\/span><span class=\"mc-theme-name\" style=\"color:#70c098\">Multiverse<\/span><span class=\"mc-theme-words\">Phase 4\u20136, 2021\u2013<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><label class=\"mc-btn-primary\" for=\"mc-s1\">ASSEMBLE \u2192<\/label><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p>    <!-- Q1: RDJ casting risk --><\/p>\n<section class=\"mc-slide mc-sl1\">\n<div class=\"mc-question-card\">\n<p>01<\/p>\n<p>        <span class=\"mc-question-text\">Iron Man (2008) is, in retrospect, the most consequential casting decision in modern blockbuster history \u2014 but at the time Marvel Studios and parent company Paramount were openly hostile to director Jon Favreau\u2019s push for the lead actor he eventually got. Favreau later said he had to fight \u201ctooth and nail\u201d and the actor had to do a paid screen test, a screen-test deal almost unheard of for an A-lister. What was the executive objection to him?<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n<p>\n        <label class=\"mc-option-btn mc-opt-1a\" for=\"mc-q1a\"><span class=\"mc-option-letter\">A<\/span>He was considered too old for a 15-year contract<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"mc-option-btn mc-opt-1b\" for=\"mc-q1b\"><span class=\"mc-option-letter\">B<\/span>His history of drug arrests made him uninsurable<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"mc-option-btn mc-opt-1c\" for=\"mc-q1c\"><span class=\"mc-option-letter\">C<\/span>He was already under contract to DC\/Warner Bros.<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"mc-option-btn mc-opt-1d\" for=\"mc-q1d\"><span class=\"mc-option-letter\">D<\/span>He\u2019d publicly refused to do any superhero work<\/label>\n      <\/p>\n<div class=\"mc-feedback\">\n<p>\u2713 Correct! Robert Downey Jr. had been arrested multiple times between 1996 and 2001 on drug and weapons charges, served roughly a year in California state prison (1999\u20132000), and was fired from Ally McBeal in 2001 after relapsing. By 2007 he\u2019d been clean for several years, but Marvel\/Paramount considered him essentially uninsurable for a $140 million tent-pole. Favreau pushed for him over studio favourites Tom Cruise (who\u2019d had Iron Man development at Fox years earlier) and Sam Rockwell (who\u2019d later play Justin Hammer in Iron Man 2 as a consolation). RDJ took a reported $500,000 base salary \u2014 less than Terrence Howard, whose role he then permanently overshadowed.<\/p>\n<p>\u2717 Wrong. The answer is his arrest history. RDJ had drug-related arrests from 1996\u20132001, served prison time in 1999\u20132000, and was fired from Ally McBeal in 2001 \u2014 which made him uninsurable in studio terms even though he\u2019d been sober for several years by 2007. Favreau fought for him over Tom Cruise and Sam Rockwell, and RDJ took a reported $500,000 base salary \u2014 less than co-star Terrence Howard.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><label class=\"mc-btn-next\" for=\"mc-s2\">NEXT \u2192<\/label><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p>    <!-- Q2: Whedon directs Avengers --><\/p>\n<section class=\"mc-slide mc-sl2\">\n<div class=\"mc-question-card\">\n<p>02<\/p>\n<p>        <span class=\"mc-question-text\">The Avengers (2012) \u2014 the film that proved the shared-universe model could work, grossed $1.52 billion, and ended Phase One with Loki, Thanos\u2019s mid-credits reveal, and the \u201cswarm shot\u201d of the team rotating in Manhattan \u2014 was written and directed by a TV showrunner best known at the time for Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Firefly. Name him.<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n<p>\n        <label class=\"mc-option-btn mc-opt-2a\" for=\"mc-q2a\"><span class=\"mc-option-letter\">A<\/span>Jon Favreau<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"mc-option-btn mc-opt-2b\" for=\"mc-q2b\"><span class=\"mc-option-letter\">B<\/span>Kenneth Branagh<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"mc-option-btn mc-opt-2c\" for=\"mc-q2c\"><span class=\"mc-option-letter\">C<\/span>Joss Whedon<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"mc-option-btn mc-opt-2d\" for=\"mc-q2d\"><span class=\"mc-option-letter\">D<\/span>Joe Johnston<\/label>\n      <\/p>\n<div class=\"mc-feedback\">\n<p>\u2713 Correct! Joss Whedon. Marvel hired him in mid-2010 partly on the basis of his uncredited script rewrites and his comfort writing ensemble team dynamics from Buffy\/Angel\/Firefly. He directed The Avengers (2012) and the follow-up Age of Ultron (2015), then exited the MCU and Marvel handed the next two Avengers films to the Russo brothers. The three other directors named all really did make Phase One films: Favreau directed Iron Man (2008) and Iron Man 2 (2010), Branagh directed Thor (2011), and Joe Johnston directed Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) \u2014 which is why this question separates Phase One trivia from Avengers-specific trivia.<\/p>\n<p>\u2717 Wrong. The answer is Joss Whedon \u2014 hired largely on the strength of Buffy, Firefly, and uncredited Hollywood script work. The three wrong options are deliberately all real Phase One MCU directors: Favreau did Iron Man 1 &amp; 2, Branagh did Thor (2011), and Joe Johnston did The First Avenger (2011). Whedon directed Avengers (2012) and Age of Ultron (2015) before exiting the MCU.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><label class=\"mc-btn-next\" for=\"mc-s3\">NEXT \u2192<\/label><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p>    <!-- Q3: Stan Lee final cameo --><\/p>\n<section class=\"mc-slide mc-sl3\">\n<div class=\"mc-question-card\">\n<p>03<\/p>\n<p>        <span class=\"mc-question-text\">Marvel co-architect Stan Lee (1922\u20132018) appeared in every theatrical MCU film from Iron Man (2008) onward, even shooting cameos in advance to outlast him. He died on November 12, 2018. In which film does his final filmed MCU cameo appear \u2014 as the long-haired young driver of a 1970 car bearing the bumper sticker \u201cNUFF SAID\u201d?<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n<p>\n        <label class=\"mc-option-btn mc-opt-3a\" for=\"mc-q3a\"><span class=\"mc-option-letter\">A<\/span>Avengers: Endgame (2019)<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"mc-option-btn mc-opt-3b\" for=\"mc-q3b\"><span class=\"mc-option-letter\">B<\/span>Avengers: Infinity War (2018)<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"mc-option-btn mc-opt-3c\" for=\"mc-q3c\"><span class=\"mc-option-letter\">C<\/span>Captain Marvel (2019)<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"mc-option-btn mc-opt-3d\" for=\"mc-q3d\"><span class=\"mc-option-letter\">D<\/span>Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)<\/label>\n      <\/p>\n<div class=\"mc-feedback\">\n<p>\u2713 Correct! Avengers: Endgame (April 2019). Lee appears digitally de-aged behind the wheel of a 1970 Chevy at the New Jersey army base where Tony Stark and Steve Rogers travel back to retrieve the Tesseract; he shouts \u201chey man, make love, not war!\u201d The cameo was filmed before Lee\u2019s death and confirmed by the Russos as his final filmed MCU appearance, although the next-released film, Spider-Man: Far From Home (July 2019), became the first MCU film with no Stan Lee cameo at all. Captain Marvel (March 2019) has him reading the script for Mallrats on the L.A. train and was the first posthumously-released cameo, but Endgame was the last one he actually shot.<\/p>\n<p>\u2717 Wrong. The answer is Avengers: Endgame \u2014 the de-aged hippie-era driver in the 1970 New Jersey time-heist scene. Captain Marvel (March 2019) was the first cameo to release posthumously, but Endgame (April 2019) was the last one Lee actually filmed. Spider-Man: Far From Home (July 2019) became the first MCU film with no Stan Lee cameo at all.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><label class=\"mc-btn-next\" for=\"mc-s4\">NEXT \u2192<\/label><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p>    <!-- Q4: Tesseract = Space Stone --><\/p>\n<section class=\"mc-slide mc-sl4\">\n<div class=\"mc-question-card\">\n<p>04<\/p>\n<p>        <span class=\"mc-question-text\">Across Phase One through Three, each Infinity Stone is hidden inside a distinctive container before being claimed for Thanos\u2019s Gauntlet. The blue Space Stone is housed inside a glowing cube that originates with the Asgardians, is recovered by Howard Stark from the wreckage of the Red Skull\u2019s plane, is taken to Asgard by Loki in 2012, and is finally retrieved by Hulk on Sakaar before falling to Thanos. What is that container called?<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n<p>\n        <label class=\"mc-option-btn mc-opt-4a\" for=\"mc-q4a\"><span class=\"mc-option-letter\">A<\/span>The Tesseract<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"mc-option-btn mc-opt-4b\" for=\"mc-q4b\"><span class=\"mc-option-letter\">B<\/span>The Aether<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"mc-option-btn mc-opt-4c\" for=\"mc-q4c\"><span class=\"mc-option-letter\">C<\/span>The Orb<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"mc-option-btn mc-opt-4d\" for=\"mc-q4d\"><span class=\"mc-option-letter\">D<\/span>The Eye of Agamotto<\/label>\n      <\/p>\n<div class=\"mc-feedback\">\n<p>\u2713 Correct! The Tesseract \u2014 the blue cube that houses the Space Stone \u2014 first appears in Captain America: The First Avenger (2011), powers the portal Loki opens over Manhattan in The Avengers (2012), and is destroyed by Thanos in Infinity War (2018) when he crushes it to claim the stone inside. The wrong options are all real Infinity Stone containers from the MCU: the Aether (red liquid form) houses the Reality Stone in Thor: The Dark World, the Orb houses the Power Stone in Guardians of the Galaxy, and the Eye of Agamotto houses the Time Stone in Doctor Strange. So all four answers refer to genuine stone containers \u2014 only the Tesseract holds Space.<\/p>\n<p>\u2717 Wrong. The answer is the Tesseract. The trap is that all four options are real Infinity Stone containers: the Aether holds Reality (Thor: The Dark World), the Orb holds Power (Guardians of the Galaxy), and the Eye of Agamotto holds Time (Doctor Strange). Space \u2014 the blue stone shown in Cap\u2019s 1942 plane wreckage and Loki\u2019s 2012 invasion \u2014 is the Tesseract.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><label class=\"mc-btn-next\" for=\"mc-s5\">NEXT \u2192<\/label><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p>    <!-- Q5: Gamora sacrificed on Vormir --><\/p>\n<section class=\"mc-slide mc-sl5\">\n<div class=\"mc-question-card\">\n<p>05<\/p>\n<p>        <span class=\"mc-question-text\">In Avengers: Infinity War (2018), the Soul Stone is hidden on Vormir and guarded by a Stonekeeper \u2014 revealed to be a cursed Red Skull. To claim it, the seeker must sacrifice the person they love most by throwing them from a cliff. Thanos arrives on Vormir with one adopted daughter, weeps, and pushes her over the edge. Which character does Thanos sacrifice to obtain the Soul Stone?<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n<p>\n        <label class=\"mc-option-btn mc-opt-5a\" for=\"mc-q5a\"><span class=\"mc-option-letter\">A<\/span>Nebula<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"mc-option-btn mc-opt-5b\" for=\"mc-q5b\"><span class=\"mc-option-letter\">B<\/span>Gamora<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"mc-option-btn mc-opt-5c\" for=\"mc-q5c\"><span class=\"mc-option-letter\">C<\/span>Mantis<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"mc-option-btn mc-opt-5d\" for=\"mc-q5d\"><span class=\"mc-option-letter\">D<\/span>Proxima Midnight<\/label>\n      <\/p>\n<div class=\"mc-feedback\">\n<p>\u2713 Correct! Gamora (Zoe Salda\u00f1a). Thanos forces her to lead him to Vormir because Nebula has earlier revealed under torture that Gamora knew the Soul Stone\u2019s location all along. The scene is the emotional pivot of Infinity War: it confirms that Thanos really does love Gamora, which means the sacrifice qualifies. In Endgame (2019), a 2014 version of Gamora returns through time travel with her father \u2014 meaning Gamora-of-Infinity-War remains dead at the end of the saga, while a different Gamora wanders the cosmos in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Nebula is alive throughout Infinity War; Mantis survives Vormir entirely; Proxima Midnight is one of Thanos\u2019s Black Order children, killed in the Battle of Wakanda.<\/p>\n<p>\u2717 Wrong. The answer is Gamora. Nebula is alive throughout Infinity War (she\u2019s the one whose torture reveals Gamora knew where the stone was hidden). Mantis isn\u2019t on Vormir. Proxima Midnight is Thanos\u2019s adopted daughter via the Black Order, not via Zen-Whoberi, and is killed during the Battle of Wakanda by Scarlet Witch. Thanos sacrifices Gamora \u2014 the only adopted daughter he genuinely loves.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><label class=\"mc-btn-next\" for=\"mc-s6\">NEXT \u2192<\/label><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p>    <!-- Q6: Cap passes shield to Sam --><\/p>\n<section class=\"mc-slide mc-sl6\">\n<div class=\"mc-question-card\">\n<p>06<\/p>\n<p>        <span class=\"mc-question-text\">In Avengers: Endgame (2019), Steve Rogers travels back in time to return the Infinity Stones, then chooses to remain in the past and live out a life with Peggy Carter. He returns to the present as an old man, sits on a bench by the lake at the Avengers compound, and hands his vibranium shield to a younger Avenger as the symbolic transfer of the Captain America identity. To whom does Steve give the shield?<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n<p>\n        <label class=\"mc-option-btn mc-opt-6a\" for=\"mc-q6a\"><span class=\"mc-option-letter\">A<\/span>Bucky Barnes<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"mc-option-btn mc-opt-6b\" for=\"mc-q6b\"><span class=\"mc-option-letter\">B<\/span>Sam Wilson<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"mc-option-btn mc-opt-6c\" for=\"mc-q6c\"><span class=\"mc-option-letter\">C<\/span>T\u2019Challa<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"mc-option-btn mc-opt-6d\" for=\"mc-q6d\"><span class=\"mc-option-letter\">D<\/span>Peter Parker<\/label>\n      <\/p>\n<div class=\"mc-feedback\">\n<p>\u2713 Correct! Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) \u2014 the Falcon. The choice deliberately bypasses Bucky, the original comics successor, because the Russos and screenwriters Markus &amp; McFeely wanted the moment to read as a deliberate, racially-charged passing of an American icon rather than the obvious comics-canon handoff. The thread is then picked up directly in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (Disney+, 2021), in which Sam initially gives the shield to the Smithsonian, sees the government install John Walker as a replacement Cap, and ultimately takes the mantle himself \u2014 setting up Captain America: Brave New World (2025) with Mackie as the franchise\u2019s new lead.<\/p>\n<p>\u2717 Wrong. The answer is Sam Wilson, the Falcon. In the comics Bucky is the classic Cap successor, but the Russos and screenwriters Markus and McFeely deliberately picked Sam instead \u2014 a choice the entire Falcon and the Winter Soldier series (Disney+, 2021) then unpacks before Mackie carries it into Captain America: Brave New World (2025).<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><label class=\"mc-btn-next\" for=\"mc-s7\">NEXT \u2192<\/label><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p>    <!-- Q7: WandaVision first Disney+ --><\/p>\n<section class=\"mc-slide mc-sl7\">\n<div class=\"mc-question-card\">\n<p>07<\/p>\n<p>        <span class=\"mc-question-text\">After Endgame, Marvel Studios\u2019 Phase Four launched the MCU on Disney+ with a sitcom-pastiche limited series in which Wanda Maximoff and a resurrected Vision live inside a reality-warping suburban hex. Each episode parodied a different era of US TV sitcom \u2014 The Dick Van Dyke Show, Bewitched, Family Ties, Modern Family. The show premiered January 15, 2021 and ran nine episodes. Which series was it \u2014 the first MCU project on Disney+?<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n<p>\n        <label class=\"mc-option-btn mc-opt-7a\" for=\"mc-q7a\"><span class=\"mc-option-letter\">A<\/span>WandaVision<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"mc-option-btn mc-opt-7b\" for=\"mc-q7b\"><span class=\"mc-option-letter\">B<\/span>Loki<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"mc-option-btn mc-opt-7c\" for=\"mc-q7c\"><span class=\"mc-option-letter\">C<\/span>The Falcon and the Winter Soldier<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"mc-option-btn mc-opt-7d\" for=\"mc-q7d\"><span class=\"mc-option-letter\">D<\/span>Hawkeye<\/label>\n      <\/p>\n<div class=\"mc-feedback\">\n<p>\u2713 Correct! WandaVision (January 15 \u2013 March 5, 2021), created by Jac Schaeffer and directed by Matt Shakman. It launched Phase Four, earned 23 Emmy nominations, and effectively rebooted Wanda Maximoff as the Scarlet Witch ahead of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022). The Falcon and the Winter Soldier followed it in March 2021 \u2014 not first \u2014 and Loki landed in June 2021. Hawkeye is the 2021 Christmas series with Jeremy Renner and Hailee Steinfeld. The original launch order was WandaVision \u2192 FATWS \u2192 Loki \u2192 What If&#8230;? \u2192 Hawkeye, and WandaVision\u2019s sitcom format remains the boldest swing of the Disney+ era.<\/p>\n<p>\u2717 Wrong. The answer is WandaVision (January 15, 2021), the first MCU show on Disney+ and the launchpad for Phase Four. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier came in March 2021, Loki in June 2021, and Hawkeye in late 2021. The sitcom-pastiche structure \u2014 Dick Van Dyke through Modern Family \u2014 is unique to WandaVision.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><label class=\"mc-btn-next\" for=\"mc-s8\">NEXT \u2192<\/label><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p>    <!-- Q8: RDJ returns as Doom --><\/p>\n<section class=\"mc-slide mc-sl8\">\n<div class=\"mc-question-card\">\n<p>08<\/p>\n<p>        <span class=\"mc-question-text\">At the closing panel of San Diego Comic-Con on July 27, 2024, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige brought the Russo brothers back on stage to announce a new title for the next Avengers film \u2014 previously labelled \u201cThe Kang Dynasty\u201d before Jonathan Majors\u2019s December 2023 conviction forced a pivot \u2014 and then unmasked a cast of actors wearing green hoods. The final hood came off Robert Downey Jr. RDJ is returning to the MCU, but not as Tony Stark. As whom?<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n<p>\n        <label class=\"mc-option-btn mc-opt-8a\" for=\"mc-q8a\"><span class=\"mc-option-letter\">A<\/span>Mister Sinister<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"mc-option-btn mc-opt-8b\" for=\"mc-q8b\"><span class=\"mc-option-letter\">B<\/span>Doctor Doom<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"mc-option-btn mc-opt-8c\" for=\"mc-q8c\"><span class=\"mc-option-letter\">C<\/span>Norman Osborn<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"mc-option-btn mc-opt-8d\" for=\"mc-q8d\"><span class=\"mc-option-letter\">D<\/span>Mephisto<\/label>\n      <\/p>\n<div class=\"mc-feedback\">\n<p>\u2713 Correct! Doctor Doom \u2014 Victor von Doom, the Latverian dictator and Reed Richards\u2019s lifelong nemesis, generally considered Marvel\u2019s greatest comics villain. The next Avengers film, originally announced as Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, was retitled Avengers: Doomsday after Jonathan Majors was dropped as Kang following his December 2023 assault conviction. Doomsday is scheduled for May 2026, with Avengers: Secret Wars to follow in May 2027 \u2014 both directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, returning to the MCU after Endgame. The in-universe explanation for RDJ playing Doom rather than Stark hinges on the multiverse: Doom is being positioned as a variant of Stark from another timeline.<\/p>\n<p>\u2717 Wrong. The answer is Doctor Doom. The film was retitled from Avengers: The Kang Dynasty to Avengers: Doomsday (May 2026) after Jonathan Majors was dropped, and the Russos returned to direct. RDJ\u2019s casting as Doom \u2014 rather than as Tony Stark \u2014 is being explained in-universe via the multiverse: Doom as a Stark variant from another timeline.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><label class=\"mc-btn-next\" for=\"mc-sR\">REVEAL MY RATING \u2192<\/label><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p>    <!-- RESULTS --><\/p>\n<section class=\"mc-slide mc-slR\">\n<p>\n        <span class=\"mc-result-label\">The Stones Are Cast \u00b7 Final Scorecard<\/span><br \/>\n        <span class=\"mc-result-title\">Your Avengers Standing<\/span>\n      <\/p>\n<div class=\"mc-score-box\">\n        <span class=\"mc-score-icon\">\ud83d\udc8e<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\n          <span class=\"mc-score-num\"\/><span class=\"mc-score-of\"> \/ 8<\/span>\n        <\/p>\n<p>        <span class=\"mc-score-msg\">A worthy Avenger \u2014 or dusted in the snap?<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n<p><label class=\"mc-btn-restart\" for=\"mc-s0\">\u2934 ROUND TWO<\/label><\/p>\n<\/section><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p>Doctor Doom being an Iron Man variant (or vice versa) doesn&#8217;t really fit this, as it&#8217;s the most obvious and popular suggestion. The real reason RDJ was specifically chosen to play Doom could be because Victor and Tony are brothers. The Russos even already explained how this could be in <em>Avengers: Endgame<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"mcu-theory-doctor-doom-amp-iron-man-are-biological-brothers\">\n                        MCU Theory: Doctor Doom &amp; Iron Man Are Biological Brothers<br \/>\n               <\/h2>\n<div class=\"body-img landscape mobile-optimized\">\n<div class=\"responsive-img  image-expandable  img-article-item\" style=\"padding-bottom:56.25%\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/doctor-doom-closeup-of-mask-in-avengers-doomsday.jpg\" data-modal-id=\"single-image-modal\" data-modal-container-id=\"single-image-modal-container\" data-img-caption=\"&quot;&quot;\">\n<figure><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/doctor-doom-closeup-of-mask-in-avengers-doomsday.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=500&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/doctor-doom-closeup-of-mask-in-avengers-doomsday.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=500&amp;dpr=2\"\/><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/doctor-doom-closeup-of-mask-in-avengers-doomsday.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=800&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/doctor-doom-closeup-of-mask-in-avengers-doomsday.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=800&amp;dpr=2\"\/><source media=\"(max-width: 1023px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/doctor-doom-closeup-of-mask-in-avengers-doomsday.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/doctor-doom-closeup-of-mask-in-avengers-doomsday.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\"\/><img width=\"1650\" height=\"928\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Doctor Doom closeup of mask in Avengers: Doomsday\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/doctor-doom-closeup-of-mask-in-avengers-doomsday.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\" src=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/doctor-doom-closeup-of-mask-in-avengers-doomsday.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\"\/>\n        <\/picture><figcaption style=\"display: none;\">Doctor Doom closeup of mask in Avengers: Doomsday<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> Even if Doom&#8217;s mask never comes off in <em>Doomsday<\/em>, the MCU will have to eventually address why Victor and Tony look alike. We already know Marvel isn&#8217;t undoing Tony&#8217;s death in <em>Endgame<\/em> through this reveal. Some have suggested <a href=\"https:\/\/screenrant.com\/avengers-doomsday-robert-downey-jr-doctor-doom-casting-theory\/\" target=\"_blank\">Doom is dreamwalking in Tony&#8217;s body<\/a>, but that feels too complicated and unnecessary. If the variant explanation isn&#8217;t being used, a biological one is possible. But rather than Doom being a distant descendant of Tony, how about a sibling?<\/p>\n<p>The MCU revealing that Victor and Tony are brothers solves the creative, practical, in-universe reason for Downey&#8217;s casting (ignoring the financial\/popularity reasons that also played a factor). Them being biologically related would mean that Marvel needed someone who at least looks similar to Downey, but rather than find another actor who has some resemblance, they just got the MCU&#8217;s original star back to do it.<\/p>\n<p>Marvel could always still use the randomness of the multiverse to explain Downey playing both, similar to how Chris Evans has played Johnny Storm and Steve Rogers. Feige even cited Evans&#8217; dual Marvel roles as a precedent for Downey now portraying Doom in a <a href=\"https:\/\/m.weibo.cn\/status\/R9RVkvn5n?jumpfrom=weibocom\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">recent interview<\/a>. But with the Russos teasing there is a deeper reason, the brother explanation becomes more intriguing. Especially when one <em>Avengers: Endgame<\/em> scene is reconsidered.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"avengers-endgame-teased-how-doctor-doom-could-be-iron-man-39-s-brother\">\n                        Avengers: Endgame Teased How Doctor Doom Could Be Iron Man&#8217;s Brother<br \/>\n               <\/h2>\n<div class=\"body-img landscape mobile-optimized\">\n<div class=\"responsive-img  image-expandable  img-article-item\" style=\"padding-bottom:56.25%\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/robert-downey-jr-as-tony-stark-looking-intense-in-avengers-endgame.jpg\" data-modal-id=\"single-image-modal\" data-modal-container-id=\"single-image-modal-container\" data-img-caption=\"&quot;\u00a9 Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures \\\/ \u00a9 Marvel Studios \\\/ courtesy Everett Collection&quot;\">\n<figure><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/robert-downey-jr-as-tony-stark-looking-intense-in-avengers-endgame.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=500&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/robert-downey-jr-as-tony-stark-looking-intense-in-avengers-endgame.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=500&amp;dpr=2\"\/><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/robert-downey-jr-as-tony-stark-looking-intense-in-avengers-endgame.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=800&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/robert-downey-jr-as-tony-stark-looking-intense-in-avengers-endgame.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=800&amp;dpr=2\"\/><source media=\"(max-width: 1023px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/robert-downey-jr-as-tony-stark-looking-intense-in-avengers-endgame.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/robert-downey-jr-as-tony-stark-looking-intense-in-avengers-endgame.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\"\/><img width=\"1650\" height=\"928\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Robert Downey Jr as Tony Stark looking intense in Avengers Endgame\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/robert-downey-jr-as-tony-stark-looking-intense-in-avengers-endgame.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\" src=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/robert-downey-jr-as-tony-stark-looking-intense-in-avengers-endgame.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\"\/>\n        <\/picture><figcaption style=\"display: none;\">Robert Downey Jr as Tony Stark looking intense in Avengers Endgame<\/figcaption><small class=\"body-img-caption\">\u00a9 Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures \/ \u00a9 Marvel Studios \/ courtesy Everett Collection<\/small><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> In the 2019 blockbuster, Tony goes with Steve to Camp Lehigh in 1970 to acquire the Tesseract and more Pym Particles to complete their time heist. They are successful in this mission, but not without detours to seeing important people from their pasts: Peggy Carter for Steve and Howard Stark for Tony. The exchange between father and son is quite memorable, and it may hold the key to Doom being Iron Man&#8217;s brother.<\/p>\n<p>When Tony and Howard walk into an elevator, Tony asks his father about the flowers and sauerkraut he&#8217;s carrying, to which Howard remarks that his wife is expecting a child. Tony immediately becomes confused and asks his father how far along she is. The moment has always stuck out as a curious reaction for Tony, as he should know his mother, Maria, is pregnant.<\/p>\n<p>Tony says he has a <em>&#8220;vaguely exact idea&#8221;<\/em> about when to go to Camp Lehigh and that <em>&#8220;I know for a fact they were there, and I know how I know.&#8221;<\/em> If that vague idea was because he knew his dad was working there while his mom was pregnant with him, then why the surprised reaction to Howard saying his wife is expecting?<\/p>\n<p>Theories have previously suggested that Tony&#8217;s response hints towards <a href=\"https:\/\/screenrant.com\/avengers-endgame-theory-tony-stark-adopted\/\" target=\"_blank\">him being adopted by the Starks<\/a>, with Howard and Maria&#8217;s biological child dying as an infant. This would be comic-accurate, teasing the history of Arno Stark. But perhaps Maria isn&#8217;t pregnant with Arno or Tony at this point, but rather a son destined to be Victor von Doom, hence Tony&#8217;s odd response.<\/p>\n<p>With Downey now back and playing Doom from another reality, there is an opportunity for Marvel to make Victor the brother Tony never knew he had. As for why they never met, that could come down to Victor dying in the womb, during birth, or as a young child. And the pain of that loss could have led Howard and Maria to never talk about it, explaining why Tony never mentioned it either. It will just take retconning the MCU timeline somewhat.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-mcu-will-need-to-retcon-a-minor-detail-to-make-victor-amp-tony-stark-brothers\">\n                        The MCU Will Need To Retcon A Minor Detail To Make Victor &amp; Tony Stark Brothers<br \/>\n               <\/h2>\n<div class=\"body-img landscape mobile-optimized\">\n<div class=\"responsive-img  image-expandable  img-article-item\" style=\"padding-bottom:56.25%\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/robert-downey-jr-in-iron-man.jpg\" data-modal-id=\"single-image-modal\" data-modal-container-id=\"single-image-modal-container\" data-img-caption=\"&quot;&quot;\">\n<figure><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/robert-downey-jr-in-iron-man.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=500&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/robert-downey-jr-in-iron-man.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=500&amp;dpr=2\"\/><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/robert-downey-jr-in-iron-man.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=800&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/robert-downey-jr-in-iron-man.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=800&amp;dpr=2\"\/><source media=\"(max-width: 1023px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/robert-downey-jr-in-iron-man.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/robert-downey-jr-in-iron-man.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\"\/><img width=\"1650\" height=\"928\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark in Iron Man\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/robert-downey-jr-in-iron-man.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\" src=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/robert-downey-jr-in-iron-man.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\"\/>\n        <\/picture><figcaption style=\"display: none;\">Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark in Iron Man<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> The issue here is that Tony is talking to Howard in <em>Endgame<\/em> on April 7, 1970, less than two months before his canonical MCU birthday, May 29, 1970, which was established in SHIELD&#8217;s file on Iron Man from <em>Iron Man 2<\/em>. The timeline indicates that Maria is pregnant with Tony at that point, but Marvel could change his birthday to add this connection.<\/p>\n<p>Tony&#8217;s birthday is not really that important in the grand scheme of the <a href=\"https:\/\/screenrant.com\/marvel-mcu-complete-timeline\/\" target=\"_blank\">MCU timeline<\/a>, only really impacting the date that <em>Iron Man 2<\/em> takes place (as he celebrates his birthday midway through). And since the original date is only sourced in a minor SHIELD file, most audiences will not even realize if Marvel makes Iron Man&#8217;s birth occur much later in 1970 or in another year entirely.<\/p>\n<p>While the MCU could still do the Doctor Doom and Iron Man brothers twist by making them twins (but where only one survives in each universe potentially), this does not account for Tony&#8217;s reaction in <em>Endgame<\/em>&#8216;s 1970 scene. So, if this is what Marvel has planned for connecting its biggest hero and newest villain, a retcon of some magnitude will have to be introduced.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"how-doomsday-amp-secret-wars-can-address-doctor-doom-amp-iron-man-being-brothers\">\n                        How Doomsday &amp; Secret Wars Can Address Doctor Doom &amp; Iron Man Being Brothers<br \/>\n               <\/h2>\n<div class=\"body-img landscape mobile-optimized\">\n<div class=\"responsive-img  image-expandable  img-article-item\" style=\"padding-bottom:56.25%\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/doctor-doom-stopping-stormbreaker-in-avengers-doomsday.jpg\" data-modal-id=\"single-image-modal\" data-modal-container-id=\"single-image-modal-container\" data-img-caption=\"&quot;&quot;\">\n<figure><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/doctor-doom-stopping-stormbreaker-in-avengers-doomsday.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=500&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/doctor-doom-stopping-stormbreaker-in-avengers-doomsday.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=500&amp;dpr=2\"\/><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/doctor-doom-stopping-stormbreaker-in-avengers-doomsday.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=800&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/doctor-doom-stopping-stormbreaker-in-avengers-doomsday.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=800&amp;dpr=2\"\/><source media=\"(max-width: 1023px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/doctor-doom-stopping-stormbreaker-in-avengers-doomsday.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/doctor-doom-stopping-stormbreaker-in-avengers-doomsday.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\"\/><img width=\"1650\" height=\"928\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Doctor Doom stopping Stormbreaker in Avengers: Doomsday\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/doctor-doom-stopping-stormbreaker-in-avengers-doomsday.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\" src=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/doctor-doom-stopping-stormbreaker-in-avengers-doomsday.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\"\/>\n        <\/picture><figcaption style=\"display: none;\">Doctor Doom stopping Stormbreaker in Avengers: Doomsday<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> Whether an explanation comes in <em>Doomsday<\/em> or <em>Secret Wars<\/em>, these <em>Avengers<\/em> movies won&#8217;t need to spend much time detailing how Doctor Doom and Iron Man can be brothers. The films will certainly provide some understanding about Victor&#8217;s backstory. Mentions that his parents were named Howard and Maria would do the trick alone.<\/p>\n<p>The MCU can then go in numerous directions with the rest of the connection. Howard and Maria could raise a family in Latveria instead of America in one reality. They could find another family to <a href=\"https:\/\/screenrant.com\/doctor-doom-iron-man-twist-mcu-theory-robert-downey-jr\/\" target=\"_blank\">adopt Victor in his or every universe<\/a>. He could also get adopted as a child after they die.<\/p>\n<p>But to ensure audiences didn&#8217;t get confused that Doctor Doom is an Iron Man variant, <em>Doomsday<\/em> and <em>Secret Wars<\/em> would also have to confirm that Doom&#8217;s family tree includes a brother, Tony. This could even be tied to his motivation for destroying the multiverse and creating a new reality, possibly after watching Earth-616&#8217;s Iron Man die (which does tie into <em>Doomsday<\/em>&#8216;s story).<\/p>\n<p>Such a reveal would explain why Marvel needed Downey to play Doctor Doom in <em><strong>Avengers: Doomsday<\/strong><\/em> and <em>Secret Wars<\/em>. Who better to play Iron Man&#8217;s secret brother than Downey? Only time will tell whether this theory proves correct, but it will be a remarkable example of the MCU weaving together different movies to support a big reveal if so.<\/p>\n<div class=\"display-card type-screen large\" data-show-streamrentbuy-links=\"true\" data-include-community-rating=\"true\" id=\"1bd9-4b60-aa90c875666a\">\n<div class=\"display-card-main-content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"display-card-main-content\">\n<div class=\"display-card-content image-column\">\n<p>                        <!--    Rating block community and brand ratings --><br \/>\n                        <!--  Image --><\/p>\n<div class=\"w-img \" data-stnl-group-once=\"qdmVrMA5ca\">\n<div class=\"body-img portrait \">\n<div class=\"responsive-img  img-article-square\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/sharedimages\/2026\/07\/avengers-doomsday-poster.jpg\" data-modal-id=\"single-image-modal\" data-modal-container-id=\"single-image-modal-container\" data-img-caption=\"&quot;&quot;\">\n                                                                                                                                                            <picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/sharedimages\/2026\/07\/avengers-doomsday-poster.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=contain&amp;w=300&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/sharedimages\/2026\/07\/avengers-doomsday-poster.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=contain&amp;w=300&amp;dpr=2\"\/><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/sharedimages\/2026\/07\/avengers-doomsday-poster.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=contain&amp;w=400&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/sharedimages\/2026\/07\/avengers-doomsday-poster.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=contain&amp;w=400&amp;dpr=2\"\/><source media=\"(max-width: 1023px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/sharedimages\/2026\/07\/avengers-doomsday-poster.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=contain&amp;w=320&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/sharedimages\/2026\/07\/avengers-doomsday-poster.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=contain&amp;w=320&amp;dpr=2\"\/><img width=\"960\" height=\"1440\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"avengers-doomsday-poster.jpg\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/sharedimages\/2026\/07\/avengers-doomsday-poster.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=contain&amp;w=480&amp;dpr=2\" src=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/sharedimages\/2026\/07\/avengers-doomsday-poster.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=contain&amp;w=480&amp;dpr=2\"\/>\n        <\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>                        <!-- User Rating widget --><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"display-card-content info-column\">\n                                                                                                                            <!--  Display card tags widget --><\/p>\n<p>                                                <!--  Display card community and brand rating widget --><br \/>\n                                                                <!--  Display card main info widget --><\/p>\n<div class=\"w-display-card-info main-info\">\n<dl>\n<p><dt>\n                                            <strong>Release Date<\/strong>\n                                        <\/dt>\n<dd>\n                                            <span><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDecember 18, 2026<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                                        <\/dd>\n<\/p>\n<p><dt>\n                                            <strong>Runtime<\/strong>\n                                        <\/dt>\n<dd>\n                                            <span><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t165 Minutes<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/span>\n                                        <\/dd>\n<\/p>\n<\/dl><\/div>\n<p>                                        <!--  Display card main info widget end --><\/p>\n<p>                    <!--  Display card media widget start --><\/p>\n<p>                                        <!--  Display card media widget end --><\/p>\n<p>                    <!-- Cast widget start --><\/p>\n<div class=\"w-display-card-cast\">\n<ul class=\"cast-tab-list\">\n<li class=\"cast-tab full-width\">\n                                                                                <img width=\"100\" height=\"130\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Chris Hemsworth Profile Picture\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/instar53754444.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=50&amp;h=65&amp;dpr=2\" src=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/instar53754444.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=50&amp;h=65&amp;dpr=2\"\/><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"cast-tab full-width\">\n                                                                                <img width=\"100\" height=\"130\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Headshot Of Vanessa Kirby\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/instar53209605.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=50&amp;h=65&amp;dpr=2\" src=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/instar53209605.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=50&amp;h=65&amp;dpr=2\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"w-cast-info flex\">\n<p>Vanessa Kirby<\/p>\n<p>\n                                                    Sue Storm \/ Invisible Woman\n                                                <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"cast-tab full-width\">\n                                                                                <img width=\"100\" height=\"130\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Headshot Of Joseph Quinn In The Premiere Of A Quiet Place: Day One\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/instar53694481.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=50&amp;h=65&amp;dpr=2\" src=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/instar53694481.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=50&amp;h=65&amp;dpr=2\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"w-cast-info flex\">\n<p>\n                                                    Johnny Storm \/ Human Torch\n                                                <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"cast-tab full-width\">\n                                                                                <img width=\"100\" height=\"130\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Headshot of Ebon Moss-Bachrach\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/instar51706718.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=50&amp;h=65&amp;dpr=2\" src=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/instar51706718.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=50&amp;h=65&amp;dpr=2\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"w-cast-info flex\">\n<p>Ebon Moss-Bachrach<\/p>\n<p>\n                                                    Ben Grimm \/ The Thing\n                                                <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<p>                                        <!-- Cast widget end --><\/p>\n<p>                    <!-- Where to watch button preview --><\/p>\n<p>                    <!-- Where to watch preview end --><\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>            <!-- Extra content section, display hidden by default --><br \/>\n            <input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"extra-content-1bd9-4b60-aa90c875666a\" name=\"extra-content-1bd9-4b60-aa90c875666a\" class=\"expand-extra-info-checkbox css-menu-checkbox\"\/> <!-- Checkbox: control the expandable behavior  of the extra info --><\/p>\n<p>            <!-- Display card footer --><\/p>\n<p>            <!-- PROS and CONS section --><\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Marvel Cinematic Universe is poised to connect Doctor Doom and Iron Man in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, and while the exact explanation has not come, a Marvel theory suggests it was already revealed years ago. Theories have been running wild for nearly two years about how Victor Von Doom and Tony Stark&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":16110,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/doctor-doom-looking-down-in-avengers-doomsday.jpg?w=1600&h=900&fit=crop","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16109","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-newsweek-trending"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16109","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=16109"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16109\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/16110"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=16109"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=16109"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=16109"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}