Robert Downey Jr's eyes in Avengers Doomsday sparks wild theory after Disney confirm Iron Man return

After watching the first two Doomsday trailers, multiple times I’m sure, internet conspiracy theories have emerged, suggesting that Robert Downey Jr isn’t really Doctor Doom.

The Oscar winner, 61, is, officially, returning to the MCU as iconic villain Victor von Doom rather than Tony Stark, who sacrifices his life in Avengers: Endgame.

Over on X, some users think he will play an alternate-universe variant where a Tony Stark-like figure becomes Victor von Doom, drawing loose inspiration from the comic books.

Another theory suggests that producers wanted Tony Stark to return to the MCU without it getting leaked, as was the case with Andrew Garfield and Tobey MaGuire in SpiderMan: No Way Home.

“So how do you bring RDJ back without spoiling the big reveal? By bringing him back as a ‘different’ character,” one user speculates.

“Unveil him as Doctor Doom, this way he can hide in plain sight. He can be on the call sheets, people can see him on set, and no one will question it. BUUUUUUT reality is, he’s not Doctor Doom.

“Instead…He’s coming back as Tony Stark! This allows for a big reveal that most won’t see coming.”

Others have pointed to the trailer and are convinced that ‘it doesn’t look like RDJ under the mask’.

“Ok I can't be faded here. Those do NOT look like RDJ's eyes. That does NOT sound like RDJ,” a second person tweeted.

Another wild theory: “I believe RDJ will play Doom for most if not all of this film, but it will turn out it is merely the real Doom dreamwalking or otherwise operating Tony’s post-snap charred body.

“The real Doom will be revealed in Secret Wars or the at end of this movie, and I’m thinking it’s Tom Cruise. Ultimate Iron Man rumors were meant to throw us off the scent.”

According to official marketing, however, Downey Jr is cast as Doctor Doom - and other fans think we should take it at face-value.

“Lmao they are not paying RDJ multi millions to play a fake Doom,” one person tweeted.

“Exactly!!! Everytime I read one of these cheesy fanfic a** predictions and theories, it makes me beyond grateful that most of the fandom doesn’t have input in the writer’s room,” someone else said.

I guess we’ll have to wait and see - Avengers: Doomsday will arrive in cinemas on 18 December, and its sequel Avengers: Secret Wars is scheduled for release on 17 December 2027.

Robert Downey Jr will return as Iron Man at Disney California Adventure

Downey Jr is one of several MCU stars set to reprise their roles for two upcoming attractions at Avengers Campus at Disney’s California Adventure theme park in Anaheim, California.

“A few familiar faces are joining in on the action 💪 @RobertDowneyJr, Anthony Mackie and @ChrisHemsworth will be featured in Avengers Infinity Defense opening at Disney California Adventure in 2028,” Disney Parks announced on X.

In promotional footage, Downey Jr says: “Welcome to Avengers Campus. We built this place to recruit, inspire the next generation. You’re a big part of that mission,” and then adds: “They are not ready for Thanos.”

In the new ride called Infinity Defense, guests will be ‘welcomed to Avengers Infinity Defense as new recruits, where your journey begins with a pre-mission briefing from Ms. Marvel. Here, you’ll get your key mission: reassemble the Avenger'.