THERE is no Marvel Cinematic Universe without Robert Downey Jr.
The return to the MCU will be through the actor playing a version of Doctor Doom.
That much is clear, with the actor helping establish the foundation of the franchise and being one of the main stars during the Infinity Saga, the MCU’s best period. As such, when the MCU found itself in a tough situation after Kang the Conqueror star Jonathan Majors was fired, it made sense that Marvel went back to RDJ to help the MCU.
It is interesting that Marvel decided the best way to bring back Downey would b as Doctor Doom instead of Iron Man. Even if the Earth-616 Tony Stark was dead, there were still several versions of the hero from other universes who could have appeared in the MCU’s slate of projects to fight a new actor as Doctor Doom.
Still, the casting choice is good, as RDJ has the range to play Doctor Doom and make him as nuanced as he is in the comics. Thankfully, Marvel is also using the ideal version of the character.
Downey’s casting as Doctor Doom immediately led to theories regarding how the actor could play the villain in the MCU after giving life to Iron Man for more than a decade. Due to his past MCU role, many fans believed Marvel could be using the multiverse to make a Tony Stark variant the MCU’s Doctor Doom.
And it is also thought about that possibility, as there are a few versions of the Marvel villain in the comics that connect to Iron Man, so there would be something of a precedent for that choice.
RDJ explained that the process of his MCU return started one year ago, with Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige suggesting that the actor could return as Victor von Doom.
However, Robert Downey Jr. has addressed his Doctor Doom casting, revealing key details about the process that led to his MCU return, as well as what version of Doom he will be playing.
According to Downey, he will play Victor von Doom, the classic version of the Marvel Comics villain, in the two upcoming Avengers movies, 2026’s Avengers: Doomsday and 2027’s Avengers:
Secret Wars.
RDJ explained that the process of his MCU return started one year ago, with Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige suggesting that the actor could return as Victor von Doom instead of Tony Stark.
Downey also shared another positive tidbit, revealing a comforting thing Feige said to him, “Let’s get Victor Von Doom right.” While RDJ has proven a divisive choice for Doctor Doom due to some fans wanting a new actor to be cast as the villain, I can’t say that I’m sad about the casting.
Downey just came off an Oscar-winning role in Oppenheimer as one of the movie’s antagonists, and the actor has plenty of roles in his career that show he can bring a complex, authoritative, and intense Victor von Doom to life, just like he is in the comics. (Source: screenrant.com)
(ROHN ROMULO)