Actor Robert Downey Jr. Returns to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the Supervillain Doctor Doom.
Robert Downey Jr. is set to return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), but not as Iron Man. Instead, he will portray the infamous supervillain Doctor Doom. This unexpected announcement has stirred mixed emotions among fans. For more, read: “Doctor Doom Era Loading: Revisiting Robert Downey Jr.’s Best Grey Roles Ahead of His Big Marvel Comeback.”
The casting news was revealed at San Diego Comic-Con by MCU President Kevin Feige. He also confirmed the return of directors Joe and Anthony Russo, the duo behind “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Endgame,” who will helm two new Avengers sequels: “Secret Wars” and “Doomsday,” the latter introducing Downey’s Doctor Doom.
Casting Sparks Backlash
Downey will take on the role of Victor Von Doom, marking a new chapter in the MCU. Iron Man, his former character, died in “Avengers: Endgame.” The announcement has bewildered social media users, with some drawing parallels to Hugh Jackman’s return as Wolverine.
“Both of these scenes mean nothing now,” one user wrote on X (formerly Twitter). Another user responded, “No, it’s not. Tony Stark and Victor Von Doom are completely different characters. The Wolverine we have now is not the same one from Logan. It’s just a variant.” Another added, “Nah, both of those characters are dead. We got variants now. Also, welcome to the world of comic books.”
One user commented, “I get it’s multiversity and blah blah blah, but Iron Man being Doctor Doom means absolutely nothing to the MCU as we know it and does nothing for the character Doctor Doom. It’s just to sell tickets. It’s boring, disrespectful to my fave, and doesn’t make sense. Next.” Another user wrote, “Some people trying to say the Robert Downey Doctor Doom casting is so stupid it’s brilliant, and I just feel like this right now.”
One social media user shared, “I don’t even have words, but the way the MCU has completely reduced itself to cash grabs and nostalgia with no sense of creativity has to be studied,” while another mentioned, “That is the weirdest thing ever.”
About His Return to the MCU
Downey will play the villain Victor Von Doom, or Doctor Doom, in at least one of the upcoming Avengers films. He launched Marvel’s cinematic success with “Iron Man” and portrayed Tony Stark in nine films. On Saturday, he appeared at Comic-Con wearing Doctor Doom’s mask and a green cloak, saying, “New mask, same task,” to wild applause.
This return follows Downey winning his first Oscar for his role in Christopher Nolan’s 2023 film “Oppenheimer.” He bid farewell to Tony Stark in 2019’s “Avengers: Endgame,” where the character sacrificed himself to save the universe.
