A new theory suggests thatThunderboltsis the perfect place to bring Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom into theMCUbefore he sets his plans in motion inAvengers: DoomsdayandSecret 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 theMCU’s most terrifying new villains. This adversary might not just be important forThunderbolts*, 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 forThunderbolts*‘release, which might make it the best place to introduceRobert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom to the MCUprior to his full appearance inAvengers: DoomsdayandSecret Wars.He could follow in the footsteps of the Mad Titan, Thanos, who was teased in several MCU projects before embarking on his quest inInfinity War. At first glance, Doctor Doom might not fit intoThunderbolts*‘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 theMighty Mylessuggests that the introduction ofRobert Reynolds’ Sentry inThunderboltscould pique Doctor Doom’s interest. Lewis Pullman is set to debut as the Sentry, but trailers forThunderboltshave also confirmed thatPullman 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 inThunderbolts*‘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, butit’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 forAvengers: DoomsdayandSecret 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 themain cast ofThunderboltswould be reprising their roles in 2026’sAvengers: Doomsday.Doomsdayis 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. TheThunderboltscast won’t be alone inAvengers: Doomsday, and it would be great to see them also get joined by Lewis Pullman’s Robert Reynolds.
Ant-Man and the Wasp(2018)
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier(2021)
Olga Kurylenko
Black Widow(2021)
Thunderbolts*will mark the return of some of the MCU’s most underrealized, underused and neglected antiheroes and villains, andtrailers 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 themain members of the Thunderboltshave 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 inDoomsdayestablishes 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 inThunderbolts*, 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 Warsevent from 2015,Doctor Doom steals the powers of the Beyonder 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 inThunderbolts*.
