Robert Downey Jr. recently delivered the biggest unmasking for the Marvel Cinematic Universe in a long time, despite the major success of Deadpool & Wolverine’s R-rated debut. Downey Jr. has reignited a crucial element in the franchise by returning to the Avengers lineup. Although he will not be donning the familiar iron armor this time, his return as Doctor Doom—the iconic villain from the Fantastic Four Universe—could dramatically shift Downey Jr.’s Marvel legacy. As the excitement builds for this new chapter, several theories have emerged predicting the future direction of the Avengers with the latest paralleling the key storyline of Deadpool & Wolverine. 

This new role for Downey Jr., however, might potentially complicate things further, unlike Deadpool & Wolverine’s fairytale ending.

A new theory by Aaron S Bailey circulating on X suggests that in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday, the 616 Universe might be on the verge of extinction. According to the theory, since Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark was identified as the “anchor being” of the Sacred Timeline, the Avengers seek a Stark variant to address this threat. However, they soon discover that this variant is not the Tony Stark they expected, but actually Doctor Doom.

In Deadpool & Wolverine, Logan was the “anchor being” for his universe and Deadpool’s Earth 10005. Hence, Deadpool was tasked with finding a Wolverine variant to prevent the slow rot. Similarly, the Avengers of Earth 616 might embark on a quest to find their "anchor being", Tony Stark. Yet, unlike the heroic Wolverine, Downey Jr.’s Stark variant could turn out to be the doomster Doctor Doom.

6 Years Before Robert Downey Jr.’s Rendition, Joe Russo Had Already Revealed His Wish for a Different Doctor Doom in MCU

For those curious about the concept of anchor being, here is what has been known about it from Deadpool & Wolverine.

In Deadpool & Wolverine, the rogue TVA operative Paradox introduces the idea of the “anchor being”—a crucial figure whose death would gradually lead to the destruction of their universe. For the MCU, it is widely believed that the “anchor being” should be none other than the Iron-clad hero. By that logic, the Sacred Timeline is already at risk due to Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man’s demise in Avengers: Endgame about 6 years ago.

While some theories propose that the revelation of Doctor Doom could be a diversion to introduce a greater villain, potentially played by Cillian Murphy, the latest theory potentially draws a direct connection between Doomsday and Deadpool & Wolverine. The key difference lies in the fate of the universe in this theory, as Doctor Doom's role would be markedly different from Logan's in Deadpool & Wolverine.

“Give that man a raise”- Not Ryan Reynolds, but This Another Deadpool Has Fans in Complete Awe Following Doctor Doom Announcement

What do you think of the latest theory about Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom that could mirror the key plot of Deadpool & Wolverine? Let us know in the comments below!