Different Mask, Same Task! Is RDJ Hinting at a Return as Iron Man Under Doom’s Mantle? A Comic Run Makes It Possible!

The MCU is currently navigating its Multiverse Saga, filled with incursions, variants, and reality-hopping. Originally, Kang the Conqueror was poised to be the saga’s main villain, with his story unfolding through various installments, some impressive and others less so. However, following Jonathan Majors’ legal troubles, both the actor and the villain were dropped.

At this year’s SDCC, it was announced that ‘Avengers: Kang Dynasty’ is being retitled ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ and that Robert Downey Jr. will be stepping into the role of Doctor Doom.

The announcement received mixed reactions. Some fans felt the studio should have simply recast Kang, while others worried that Kevin Feige might undo one of the greatest moments in the MCU so far.

It’s clear that RDJ will return as a variant. The actor famously stated, “Different mask, same task,” prompting fans to speculate on how his story will be reintroduced to the MCU. Several comic storylines could serve as inspiration for Doom’s origin while incorporating Iron Man.

One potential storyline comes from a ‘What If…?’ series where Doom and Iron Man’s paths intersect in college. After a failed experiment, they accidentally switch minds, with Doom ending up in Tony Stark’s body and vice versa.

For the first time ever, Doctor Doom has privilege and wealth, while Tony Stark must navigate life as an impoverished Latverian commoner. This intriguing premise is explored in the ‘What If? Iron Man: Demon in an Armor’ storyline, which, although unlikely to be adapted, is worth mentioning.

The second storyline, ‘Infamous Iron Man,’ has a greater chance of being adapted and better explains the connection between Iron Man and Doom in the MCU.

After the events of ‘Civil War II,’ Doctor Doom visits Tony Stark’s lab and informs the Tony Stark A.I. that he will take over as Iron Man, continuing Tony’s legacy of protecting the planet. Combining Tony’s technology with his own genius, Doom sets out on a path of redemption. However, several adversaries stand in his way, including Ultimate Reed Richards, S.H.I.E.L.D., The Thing, Gwenpool, and various other “villains” who fear Doom might eventually weaponize Latveria again.

While this “origin” story could be fitting, especially with Tony Stark’s death and his lab now available, it’s unlikely that the MCU will adapt a specific comic storyline. Instead, they will probably opt for a simpler and more digestible approach, given the limited time they have to introduce Doom after spending three installments on Kang.

What are your thoughts? Share them in the comments below!