Doctor Doom Just Revealed the Wildest Way Marvel Can Justify Robert Downey Jr.’s Return

Summary In Blood Hunt #5, Doctor Doom becomes Sorcerer Supreme by binding a piece of Doctor Strange's soul to himself – a mechanism that could be used to explain Robert Downey Jr.'s return to the MCU as a unique iteration of Doom.

The reveal of RDJ's casting as Doom has prompted a ton of speculation among the Marvel fandom; the climax of Blood Hunt could have slyly offered the answer with its Doctor Doom twist.

This plot point could pave the way for Robert Downey Jr.'s portrayal of Doctor Doom as a novel spin on his beloved iteration of Tony Stark.

Warning: Contains spoilers for Blood Hunt #5!!

In a major turn at the climax of Marvel's Blood Hunt crossover event, Doctor Doom ascended to the role of Marvel's Sorcerer Supreme, binding a piece of Doctor Strange's soul to himself in the process – a plot point that could be used as a novel way to explain Robert Downey Jr.'s return to the MCU as Doom.

In Blood Hunt #5, Dr. Doom assumes the coveted role of Sorcerer Supreme. With Stephen Strange currently vampirized, Victor is the only one who knows how to dispel the darkness covering the world. Strange agrees to temporarily pass on the mantle until "the world is saved" and offers a piece of his living soul to bind to Doom's.

The ritual is successful but also means Strange is along for the ride. If MCU followed suit and fused Tony's soul with Doom, it would be an incredible way to bring RDJ back into the fold.

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Marvel's "Blood Hunt" Just Offered A Perfect Explanation For Robert Downey Jr.'s Return

Blood Hunt #5 – Writte By Jed MacKay; Art By Pepe Larraz, Marte Gracia, Fernando Sifuentes & Cory Petit

Should the MCU set up its own twist on this scenario, it would allow Robert Downey Jr. to combine his beloved portrayal of Tony Stark with his new role of Doom in an unexpected way.

Although Dr. Strange offered his soul fragment as a way to pass on the Sorcerer Supreme duties in Blood Hunt, the concept could easily be borrowed for the big screen. The Soul Stone, which Tony Stark died wielding in Avengers: End Game, could play a role if needed, or some piece of Iron Man may yet exist in the Multiverse and bind with Doom. Answering the "how" is only part of the puzzle, with the ultimate outcome being Tony Stark's presence alongside Doom. There's precedent and plenty of theory around Iron Man becoming Dr. Doom, but this presents an intriguing alternative.

For now, Doom is blatantly ignoring Dr. Strange's attempts to reason with him, and the (former) Sorcerer Supreme hasn't managed to exert any real influence. That may change in the future, and joining their souls seems to mean that Victor won't ever be completely free from Dr. Strange. Should the MCU set up its own twist on this scenario, it would allow Robert Downey Jr. to combine his beloved portrayal of Tony Stark with his new role of Doom in an unexpected way. Both characters could still shine, and it would be intriguing to see Iron Man in the Latverian's ear.

Binding a part of Tony's soul could help create a dynamic (and conflicted) version of Doom unique to that universe.

Doctor Strange Created By Steve Ditko Alias Stephen Vincent Strange Alliance Avengers, Defenders, Illuminati, Infinity Watch, Midnight Sons, New Avengers, The Order

Combining Doctor Doom & Iron Man Would Be The Best Of Both Characters

The MCU Should Play To Its Strengths

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It's unclear how long Strange will be tagging along following Blood Hunt, but his presence is both a challenge to Victor's power and a voice that exists alongside the Latverian leader's own, possibly letting him take back his magical title. The latter isn't a factor in MCU's vast Multiverse, but binding a part of Tony's soul could help create a dynamic (and conflicted) version of Doom unique to that universe. Right now, a fragment of Doctor Strange allows Doctor Doom to remain Sorcerer Supreme, but it also makes him the perfect vessel to bring Iron Man back to the screen.

Blood Hunt #5 is available now from Marvel Comics.

BLOOD HUNT #5 (2024) Writer: Jed MacKay

Artist: Pepe Larraz

Colorist: Fernando Sifuentes & Marte Gracia

Letterer: Cory Petit

Cover Artist: Pepe Larraz