5 MCU Projects That Could Feature RDJ's Doctor Doom Debut (Before Avengers: Doomsday) (2025)

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is hurtling toward the conclusion of the Multiverse Saga, with the next two Avengers movies promising to deliver the biggest adventure for Earth's Mightiest Heroes yet. Avengers: Doomsday is set to feature Iron Man actor Robert Downey Jr. as the iconic Marvel villain Doctor Doom, who will give the Avengers a bigger battle than ever before. Their battle is expected to spill over into the events of Avengers: Secret Wars, the final installment of the Multiverse Saga.

While RDJ's Doctor Doom is confirmed to appear in Doomsday and Secret Wars, fans may not have to wait that long to see the supervillain's debut. There are several upcoming MCU movies and Disney+ series that will be released in the years leading up to the Multiverse Saga finale. Some of these projects could feature the debut of the MCU's Doctor Doom, setting up his upcoming battle with the Avengers.

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5 Captain America: Brave New World Could Feature Doctor Doom's Daring Debut

Release Date: February 14, 2025

Captain America: Brave New World is set to be one of the biggest MCU movies of all time. Not only will the film include more of Sam Wilson's arc as he continues to take over the mantle of Captain America after Steve Rogers' retirement, but it will also help lay a more solid groundwork for a post-Endgame MCU. Brave New World is expected to introduce (or, at least set up) the next lineup of Avengers, feature President Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross's transformation into the Red Hulk, deal with the Emergence at the end of Eternals, feature the debut of the long-awaited Serpent Society, and finally bring back Tim Blake Nelson's Leader after he was referenced in The Incredible Hulk. Even with all this to deal with, Brave New World could also feature the introduction of the Multiverse Saga's primary antagonist.

Doctor Doom could make his debut long before Avengers: Doomsday, perhaps as a part of Brave New World. Trailers for the film reveal that the world is on the brink of war, but never reveal exactly which entities are preparing for battle. It could be that the world is now plagued by the rise of a new dictatorship in Eastern Europe, perhaps Latveria. In the comics, Latveria is the domain of Victor von Doom, who rules the country with an iron fist. Brave New World could finally introduce Latveria in the MCU, setting up Doctor Doom for future installments. Although Doom likely wouldn't play a major role in the film given its already overstuffed premise, he could make his first appearance in a short cameo or post-credit scene.

4 Thunderbolts* Might Be More Integral to the MCU Than It Seems

Release Date: May 2, 2025

Thunderbolts* is the next big team-up movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film is set to feature the debut of the eponymous superhero team, which is made up of supporting characters that audiences have met in previous installments of the MCU. Thunderbolts* will follow Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, U.S. Agent, Ghost, Taskmaster, and the Red Guardian as they team up after being set up to die on a dangerous mission, which causes them to cross paths with the mysterious Sentry. Together, they vow to get revenge on the sinister Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, the new director of the CIA.

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Thunderbolts* may be hiding many MCU secrets in its trailers that have yet to be revealed to general audiences. It seems very likely that there is a bigger power at play in the film, with Val merely acting as the mouthpiece for a much more dangerous villain. While there are numerous theories as to who Val may be working for, one of the most exciting contests is none other than Doctor Doom. If Doctor Doom is secretly the one behind the formation of the Thunderbolts, then he might have dangerous designs for the team in the future of the MCU. They could find themselves as unwitting pawns in Doom's schemes, which could even pit them against the Avengers in upcoming projects.

3 The Fantastic Four: First Steps Is the Most Likely Place for Doctor Doom's Debut

Release Date: July 25, 2025

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is one of the MCU's most exciting upcoming projects. The upcoming film is helmed by WandaVision director Matt Shakman, who plans to introduce a retro '60s-style alternate universe that is home to a new version of Marvel's First Family. The film will star Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Susan Storm/The Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/The Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing. Although very few details have been revealed about the 2025 film, The Fantastic Four: First Steps is expected to play a major role in setting up Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars.

One of the most prominent fan theories about The Fantastic Four: First Steps is that it will feature the first appearance of Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom. This would make sense, as Doctor Doom is primarily a Fantastic Four villain in the comics. While he likely isn't the main antagonist of the film, Doom could appear in First Steps to set up his appearance in Doomsday and to build his rivalry with Reed Richards, which is an important element of the character's backstory in the comics. If Doom appears in First Steps, then this would also mean that he hails from a different universe than the mainline MCU, explaining how he could have the same face as Earth-616's Tony Stark.

2 Ironheart Could Explore Doctor Doom's Most Underused Power

Release Date: June 24, 2025

One of the MCU's most exciting upcoming Disney+ series is Ironheart. The miniseries is expected to continue Riri Williams's story after the events of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, which saw the debut of Dominique Thorne's new superhero. In the series, Riri will construct a new suit of armor and reclaim the mantle of Ironheart, all while facing a new threat in Anthony Ramos's the Hood. Ironheart will also most likely play a role in setting up the MCU's upcoming Young Avengers team-up, in which Riri Williams is expected to take part.

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Although Ironheart may seem likely a relatively small project to introduce the next main antagonist of the MCU, there is a connection between the series and Doctor Doom. In the comics, Doctor Doom has many powers, including a mastery over the Mystic Arcs. None of Doom's live-action appearances have included these powers so far, but the MCU most likely will put the character on par with the Avengers. Despite its heavy emphasis on technology, Ironheart is also set to explore the magical side of the MCU, exploring what happens when technology and magic clash. As such, Doom could show up in Ironheart, where he will finally learn the sorcery that has so often eluded his live-action appearances.

1 Robert Downey Jr. Could Star In His Own Doctor Doom Spinoff

A Doctor Doom Spinoff Has Not Yet Been Announced

The best place to introduce Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom before Avengers: Doomsday would be in a spinoff project of his own. Whether in a solo film, a spinoff series, or a Special Presentation, a Doctor Doom project would go a long way in establishing his character before his appearance at the end of the Multiverse Saga. The previous main antagonist of the MCU, Thanos, had the luxury of appearing in multiple projects leading up to his battle with the Avengers. However, Doom is only a few years away from his appearance in Doomsday, giving him very little time to show up in other projects. A Doctor Doom spinoff would fast-track his character development, expertly setting him up for the next Avengers films.

A spinoff centered around Doctor Doom could explore the character's backstory, including his rivalry with Reed Richards. The project could depict his rise to power as the dictator of Latveria, while also showing how he got each of his myriad supernatural abilities. Doctor Doom is the rare supervillain who could easily pull off starring in his own solo film. Moreover, this would give Robert Downey Jr. even more screentime as his new villainous character, giving audiences a chance to get used to the idea of this strange but intriguing mashup between actor and character.

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Marvel Cinematic Universe

Created by Marvel Studios, the Marvel Cinematic Universe follows heroes across the galaxy and across realities as they defend the universe from evil.