Will Doctor Doom surface in the MCU? It is hard to imagine the FF without him, but Marvel could have other plans for Latveria's favorite dictator. Here are some ideas.

THE ARRIVAL

The Fantastic Four joining the MCU means more than just Mister Fantastic, Human Torch, Invisible Woman, and The Thing. Marvel’s first family brings a litany of characters to Kevin Feige’s personal sandbox. None are bigger than Doctor Doom.

Doom is no stranger to the silver screen. Fox has used the character in three different Fantastic Four movies. Alas, none of those films did him justice, but those films did not get any of the characters right. In that regard, Marvel Studios has nowhere to go but up. 

“I DIDN’T SPEND SIX YEARS IN EVIL MEDICAL SCHOOL TO BE CALLED MISTER.”

There have been persistent rumors that Doom will be entering the MCU. As the iconic FF villain, he can be assumed for that movie. Lately, he has been rumored to wage war against Wakanda in Black Panther 2. There also has been speculation that Mandalorian and Breaking Bad actor Giancarlo Esposito could don the iron mask

All rumors aside, one thing is clear: if Marvel puts Doom in the MCU, he will be a far cry from what we saw in the Fox FF films. 

In fact, Doom may not be part of the FF films at all. 

Marvel Studios has options for portraying an “all-new, all-different” Doctor Doom. From co-starring with Doctor Strange, going toe-to-toe with the Avengers, or even taking up the Iron Man mantle as an anti-hero, there is more to the Latverian despot than just antagonizing the FF.

DOCTOR STRANGE AND DOCTOR DOOM: TORMENT AND TRIUMPH

This could be the most interesting way for Marvel to introduce the classic Doctor Doom to the MCU. 

As comic fans know, Doom is a master of magic as well as technology. In the graphic novel, Doctor Strange and Doctor Doom: Triumph and Torment, the doctors join magical forces to battle Mephisto and save Doom’s mother. 

Since Fox has used Doctor Doom in three Fantastic Four movies, I believe we will see a new and different Doom than before. Making him the antithesis to Doctor Strange (and perhaps even Loki, who is an anti-hero in his own right these days) would help establish a new Doom that functions more in the magical side of the MCU. 

INFAMOUS IRON MAN #1

Marvel Studios is looking to replace Iron Man in the MCU. Riri Williams/Ironheart is getting her own Disney+ series, and James Rhodes/War Machine will star in the streaming platform’s Armor Wars

But they were, all of them, deceived, for in the land of Latveria, Doctor Doom forged in secret his own armor and became the Infamous Iron Man.

If Feige and company want a Victor Von Doom that mainstream fans have never seen before, Infamous Iron Man, debuting with issue #1, is it. Instead of plotting the downfall of the Fantastic Four or even the Avengers, perhaps the MCU Doctor Doom plays the role of anti-hero and creates his own modified Iron Man armor. This story could even be folded into Armor Wars with Doom emerging as the Infamous Iron Man by the series’ end. 

GOD EMPEROR DOOM

I don’t see this version of Doctor Doom ever being adapted for the MCU, but what fun it could be. 

If you have not read 2015’s Secret Wars, you are missing a treat. No, it is not groundbreaking storytelling that changed comics forever. In fact, in many ways it is a Marvel/Game of Thrones mash-up, but it is such a fun story. 

One of the central figures of the series is God Emperor Doom, who made his first appearance in Secret Wars #2. In this world, Doctor Doom rescued the multiverse by taking the Beyonder’s cosmic powers and saving pieces of the many alternate timelines of the Marvel Universe. Dressed in solid white, this is by far the most powerful incarnation of Doom ever seen in a comic. He even has an epic moment when he casually rips out Thanos’ spine. 

MARVEL STUDIOS’ DOOM

As many writers have proven over the decades, Doctor Doom can be a dynamic, round character who can carry his own story. Hopefully, Marvel Studios will give him his own solo film, which could trigger a whole new era for MCU storytelling centered on the villains. 

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