Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom Debuts In Thunderbolts* According To Surprising MCU Movie Theory (2025)

A new theory suggests that Thunderbolts* is the perfect place to bring Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom into the MCU before he sets his plans in motion in Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars. Thunderbolts*, scheduled to release in May 2025, will bring together a rag-tag team of antiheroes and reformed villains to take on Valentina Allegra de Fontaine and one of the MCU's most terrifying new villains. This adversary might not just be important for Thunderbolts*, however, as a new theory suggests he'll play a pivotal role in the MCU's Phase 6, too.

In recent months, anticipation and excitement have been rising for Thunderbolts*' release, which might make it the best place to introduce Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom to the MCU prior to his full appearance in Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars. He could follow in the footsteps of the Mad Titan, Thanos, who was teased in several MCU projects before embarking on his quest in Infinity War. At first glance, Doctor Doom might not fit into Thunderbolts*' upcoming story, but a new theory explains exactly why Downey Jr.'s new villain may appear in the Phase 5 movie.

Doctor Doom Is Threatened By Lewis Pullman’s Sentry: Major Thunderbolts* Theory Explained

Sentry's Dark Alter Ego Is One Of The MCU's Best New Villains

A new theory shared by the Mighty Myles suggests that the introduction of Robert Reynolds' Sentry in Thunderbolts* could pique Doctor Doom's interest. Lewis Pullman is set to debut as the Sentry, but trailers for Thunderbolts* have also confirmed that Pullman will be playing Reynolds' darker alter ego, the Void, one of Marvel's most terrifying, powerful and seemingly unstoppable supervillains. The Void could easily be seen as a formidable threat to the entire multiverse, perhaps even instigating incursions, which provides Doctor Doom with the best opportunity to appear.

The Void has already shown off some remarkable abilities in Thunderbolts*' recent trailers, including flight and telekinetic powers, extreme strength and the ability to turn organic beings into shadows, which is truly haunting. If this power extends across the entire multiverse, there's no doubt this would get Doctor Doom's attention. The theory notes that Doctor Doom could consider the Void a threat, but it's also possible that Robert Downey Jr.'s upcoming character could hope to steal Robert Reynolds' power for himself, which sets up a dark story for Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars.

Thunderbolts*’ Cast Has Already Been Confirmed To Return In Avengers: Doomsday

Avengers: Doomsday Will See Robert Downey Jr.'s Villain Make His Mark

MCU boss Kevin Feige confirmed during Marvel Studios' panel at 2024's San Diego Comic-Con that the main cast of Thunderbolts* would be reprising their roles in 2026's Avengers: Doomsday. Doomsday is currently Robert Downey Jr.'s confirmed debut as Doctor Doom, so the Thunderbolts team and Doom will surely be battling each other next year, meaning it makes sense for Doom to appear in the Thunderbolts' movie first. The Thunderbolts* cast won't be alone in Avengers: Doomsday, and it would be great to see them also get joined by Lewis Pullman's Robert Reynolds.

Thunderbolts* will mark the return of some of the MCU's most underrealized, underused and neglected antiheroes and villains, and trailers for the Phase 5 movie have teased an incredibly fun, entertaining and action-packed storyline for the team's debut. This fun may be diluted by the emergence of the Void, but it seems the main members of the Thunderbolts have already been revealed to be surviving the events of the movie. While there are theories that Taskmaster will meet her demise, the other Thunderbolts members returning in Doomsday establishes a clear connection between them and Doctor Doom.

What Could Doctor Doom Do With The Sentry’s Power In Avengers: Doomsday?

Doctor Doom Will Be A Massive Threat In Doomsday & Secret Wars

Since Doctor Doom may see Robert Reynolds' Sentry as his biggest threat in Thunderbolts*, it seems likely that the new MCU villain would want to steal Sentry's power for himself, and this could also include the powers of the Void. Doctor Doom is already one of Marvel's most notable, powerful and dangerous villains, and there is already speculation that this could be even more prevalent if he is depicted with magical abilities in the MCU. Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom absorbing Robert Reynolds' powers would exacerbate this, making Doom much more sinister.

In Marvel Comics' Secret Wars event from 2015, Doctor Doom steals the powers of the Beyonder in order to bring together the fragmented pieces of incursion-destroyed universes to create Battleworld. It's possible that Doom could take Sentry's power to pull off this same feat in the MCU, as Robert Reynolds will be introduced as one of Marvel Studios' most powerful characters ever. Debuting a character this strong will surely get Doctor Doom's attention, so it would be fantastic to see Robert Downey Jr. officially return to the MCU in Thunderbolts*.

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Thunderbolts*

Not Yet Rated

Adventure Action

Release Date

May 2, 2025

Director

Jake Schreier

Writers

Lee Sung-jin, Eric Pearson, Joanna Calo

Franchise(s)

Marvel Cinematic Universe

Cast

See All

• 

  Florence Pugh

  Yelena Belova

• 

  Sebastian Stan

  James Bucky Barnes / Winter Soldier

• 

  David Harbour

  Alexei Shostakov / Red Guardian

• 

  Wyatt Russell

  John Walker / U.S. Agent

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