Marvel has already set up Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom. In a dark new MCU theory

Robert Downey Jr.’s return to the MCU as iconic supervillain Doctor Doom It will certainly take some explaining, but a new theory suggests that Marvel Studios may have introduced the perfect way to explain his dark turn. After over a decade spent playing Tony Stark’s Iron Man, and a five-year hiatus following his sacrifice in Avengers: EndgameRobert Downey Jr. was confirmed to return to the MCU at this year’s SDCC presentation in July. Downey Jr. s return as Doctor Doom has been controversial, but Marvel may already have the perfect explanation.

Doctor Doom will be introduced to the MCU in the upcoming Phase 6 Avengers: Doomsday As the new primary antagonist of the Multiverse Saga, replacing Jonathan Majors’ Kang the Conqueror and his variants. Doctor Doom is one of Marvel’s most notable and powerful villains, so his debut in the MCU is very exciting, but the casting of Robert Downey Jr.. Although it was disputed whether Downey Jr. Will portray Victor Von Doom or a variant of Tony Stark, Marvel Studios already has a fantastic way to integrate Doctor Doom into the MCU’s current story.

Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom could have used the Darkhold

Marvel Studios has established the Darkhold as a formidable weapon

A new theory suggests that Robert Downey Jr. Can portray a character, be it Victor Von Doom or Tony Stark, who has acquired power thanks to the Darkhold of his home universe. First seen in 2021 WandaVisionThe Darkhold is introduced as a formidable book of dark spells, knowledge and ancient power. It seems to provide anyone who holds it with significant power and influence, so it would make sense for Doctor Doom to have used the Book of the DamnedPerhaps to stop the tyrannical ruler of Latvia and take the position.

Despite being one of the most recently introduced relics, the Darkhold is more powerful and dangerous than most other weapons in the MCU. For many years, Agatha Harkness used the Darkhold to hide from other witches before the Scarlet Witch stole the book in WandaVision. A chapter of Darkhold is dedicated to the Scarlet Witch, prophesying her either destroying or ruling the world, and she used the book to dream-walk into her variants’ bodies. This allowed her to enter Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of MadnessHoping to eventually reunite with her sons.

The spells of the Darkhold were originally engraved into the walls of the Darkhold Castle on Mount Wundagore by the demonic entity Chthon, before being transcribed into the physical book. full of dark magic, Acquiring the Darkhold would surely twist a variant of Tony Stark into becoming the villain Doctor Doom, or perhaps corrupt and improve the innocent and powerless Victor Von Doom. Marvel Comics’ Doctor Doom has used the Darkhold before, so it would make sense for Robert Downey Jr. s new villain to claim it for himself too.

Doctor Doom uses the Darkhold in Marvel Comics

Marvel Comics’ Doctor Doom is a powerful sorcerer

It wouldn’t be out of the ordinary for Marvel Studios to establish a connection between Doctor Doom and the Darkhold in the MCU, as the villain has read the book numerous times in Marvel Comics. Although he used a passage from the Darkhold back in the 1990s to access Limbo, it is his more recent use of the Book of Sins that has become more notable.. 2021s Darkhold series, kicking off with Darkhold Alpha #1Seeing Doctor Doom and Zora Vukovic’s Victorious read the original version of the book and inadvertently unleash Chthon upon the world.

The Darkhold corrupts notable heroes including Iron Man, Blade, Spider-Man, The Wasp and Black Bolt, causing them to see twisted versions of their lives. To save them, Doctor Doom fought alongside Wanda Maximoff’s Scarlet Witch, using the Darkhold to fight Chthon and fight back his forces. The Scarlet Witch eventually absorbed both the book and Chthon, reversing the corruption, while Agatha Harkness would go on to create a new version of the Darkhold in human form. Doctor Doom has a significant role in this story, and that could very easily play into the MCU.

Doctor Strange 2 sets up a great way to bring Doctor Doom into the MCU

Doctor Doom may have a vendetta against the Scarlet Witch

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ Focus on the Darkhold confirms that the mythology of the Scarlet Witch is directly connected to the book. This means that, If Doctor Doom had acquired the Darkhold in his reality, he would know all about the Scarlet Witch, her prophecy and her significance.. However, if the Darkhold was the source of Doctor Doom’s power, the events of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of MadnessSpecifically the Scarlet Witch destroying every copy of the Darkhold, may have marked the beginning of Doctor Doom’s vendetta against Earth-616’s Wanda Maximoff.

It’s also possible that, as a Nexus being, the Scarlet Witch of the MCU could replace the Molecule Man in the upcoming secret wars storyline. in 2015 secret wars, Doctor Doom uses Owen Reece’s Molecule Man to take the power of the Beyonders, allowing him to establish Battleworld after incursions decimate the multiverse. The Scarlet Witch could be very important to the schemes and machinations of Robert Downey Jr. Doctor DoomAnd Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness Set the perfect path to connect the two powerful figures.