The biggest theory regarding Doctor Doom makes the MCU’s own Multiverse Saga complaint even worse (but does make the joke even funnier). Naturally, Deadpool & Wolverine features a plethora of meta and self-referential jokes thanks to Ryan Reynolds’ Wade Wilson. This includes some pointed critiques of the MCU itself, including one that now feels very connected to Marvel’s recent Doctor Doom news.

At San Diego Comic-Con 2024, it was announced that 2026’s Avengers: Doomsday would be directed by the Russo Brothers and is set to star none other than Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom. While specifics are scarce, there is one prevailing theory as to the reason why the iconic Iron Man actor has been recast as one of the Marvel Universe’s biggest villains. That said, a key joke made in Deadpool & Wolverine combined with this casting news certainly highlights a critique that’s often been made about the MCU and its current “Multiverse Saga”.

Deadpool References A Major MCU Critique At The TVA

The Problem With Variants

In Deadpool & Wolverine, the Time Variance Authority’s Mister Paradox gives Wade Wilson a chance to leave his world of Earth-1005 (Fox’s X-Men universe) in favor of the main MCU reality known as Earth-616 aka the Sacred Timeline. In response, Wade asks if he’ll “marvel” at how “cinematic” it feels, confirming his awareness that he’s being asked to join the franchise of interconnected films by Marvel Studios. However, Deadpool also inquires if this is the same timeline known for its “indiscriminate use of variants”, a humorous critique of the MCU’s predominant multiverse stories.

The multiverse concept has come to the forefront in the MCU following 2019’s Avengers: Endgame with the dawn of the “Multiverse Saga”. Films such as Spider-Man: No Way Home, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania have all featured variants of known MCU characters from other realities, as have shows such as Loki and Marvel’s What If…? That being said, not all multiverse-heavy projects have been well received. As such, many have questioned Marvel’s arguable overuse of the variant concept, especially following projects that were perhaps lacking (hence Deadpool’s surprisingly poignant joke).

Deadpool’s “Variant” Joke Is Even Funnier After SDCC

Robert Downey Jr. Is Likely Playing A Tony Stark/Doom Variant

Deadpool’s variant joke is even more poignant following Marvel’s SDCC panel where they revealed that RDJ is playing Doctor Doom (only two days after Deadpool & Wolverine’s release). This is due to the many theories that Downey is playing some kind of Tony Stark variant who went dark, becoming Doctor Doom rather than Iron Man. If true, Deadpool’s joke immediately becomes funnier, making one wonder when exactly Ryan Reynolds and director Shawn Levy knew about RDJ’s casting. At the same time, it does make the common MCU multiverse complaint even worse for those who haven’t been enjoying the MCU’s current trajectory with variants and alt realities.