Summary
Robert Downey Jr.’s return to theMarvel Cinematic Universewill be through the actor playing a version ofDoctor Doom, and I’m happy that Marvel went with the best possible choice. There is no MCU without Downey. That much is clear, with the actor helping establish the foundation of the franchise and being one of the main stars duringthe Infinity Saga, the MCU’s best period. As such, when the MCU found itself in a tough situation afterKang the Conqueror star Jonathan Majors was fired, it made sense that Marvel went back to RDJ to help the MCU.
I did find it interesting that Marvel decided the best way to bring back Downey would be as Doctor Doom instead of Iron Man. Even if theEarth-616 Tony Stark was dead, there were still several versions of the hero from other universes who could have appeared in theMCU’s slate of projectsto fight a new actor as Doctor Doom. Still, I think the casting choice is good, asRDJ has the range to play Doctor Doomand make him as nuanced as he is in the comics. Thankfully, Marvel is also using the ideal version of the character.
Robert Downey Jr. Is Playing Victor Von Doom In The MCU
Tony Stark Variant Rumors Can Now Die Down
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. I also thought about that possibility, asthere 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’sAvengers: Doomsdayand 2027’sAvengers: 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 thingFeige 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 inOppenheimeras 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.
I Know The Best Way For RDJ’s Doctor Doom To Bring Back The MCU’s Original Avengers
With Robert Downey Jr. back in the MCU but as Doctor Doom, Marvel could be using a dark story that sees the return of the original Avengers cast.
“The MCU has failed to find a new central figure after Iron Man’s death. Bringing back Robert Downey Jr. already seems like a last-ditch decision to course-correct, and bringing back other known actors or established characters isn’t a strategy that can be relied on consistently.“Nicolas Ayala- Convinced thatRobert Downey Jr. Is The Most Important Person To The MCU’s Success, Second Only To Kevin Feige
I Think A Classic Doctor Doom Is Better Than An Iron Man Variant
The MCU Did Not Need A Convoluted Origin For Doom
I’m very happy that we are getting Downey as Victor von Doom instead of the actor coming back to play an Iron Man variant that became Doctor Doom. There are a few reasons for that. The most important one is that the MCU does not need to make its main villain change even more confusing. Up to this point,the Multiverse Saga had been setting up Kang the Conquerorand the Council of Kangsfor the next two Avengers movies. With an abrupt change towards Doom taking that role, I think the switch needs to be as simple as possible.
Marvel has yet to reveal if Kang the Conqueror or the Council of Kangs will be recast or simply forgotten by the MCU.
Sure,the multiverse could have been used to explain how RDJ is Doctor Doom, given that there is an endless number of Tony Stark variants who could have turned into Doctor Doom. Some theories around that possible story route picked up some steam among fans, with a couple including Iron Man and Doctor Doom switching bodies like has happened in the comics andDoom projecting his conscience on the MCU’s deceased Iron Man. However, with Marvel having to quickly set up Doctor Doom and throw him against the MCU’s heroes inAvengers: Doomsday, I believe a simple introduction works better.
The MCU Has 4 Perfect Ways To Kill Off The Council Of Kangs To Make Room For Doctor Doom
While Doctor Doom is the Multiverse Saga’s new main villain, the MCU could still use the Council of Kangs' death to set up multiple stories.
How RDJ Could Play Victor Von Doom After The MCU’s Tony Stark
The Multiverse Should Still Be Used To Introduce Doctor Doom
While Downey will play Victor von Doom and not an Iron Man variant as Doctor Doom, the villain could still come from an alternate universe. I believe that isthe only way for Marvel to explain why Doom and Stark are played by the same actor, keeping in mind that with RDJ’s reported massive salary, it is hard to believe that Marvel would keep Doctor Doom’s mask all of the time.RDJs Doctor Doom will reportedly debut inThe Fantastic Four: First Steps' mid/post-credits sceneand that could explain everything to do with his casting.
Withthe Fantastic Four reboot taking place in a different universethat has a retro-futuristic version of New York in the 1960s, RDJ’s Doctor Doom could also come from that reality. The MCU has already established that the same character can be played by different people, with multiple actors giving life to Loki and Spider-Man.The Fantastic Four: First Stepsrevealing Downey’s Doctor Doom comes from that universe could help establish that different Earths could also feature past MCU actors as other characters, which would open the door for many exciting multiverse returns.
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I Want To See Both Of Downey’s MCU Characters Interact At Least Once
Iron Man And Doctor Doom Have To Fight
While Downey is playing Victor von Doom, I still want to see the actor return as a version of Iron Man in one or both of the upcoming Avengers movies.Avengers: Secret Warswould be the perfect film for that to happenin, as it would allow RDJ to cement himself as Doctor Doom first inAvengers: Doomsday, likely defeating the Avengers and other multiverse heroes who may appear in it before the remaining characters look for help to take him down inAvengers: Secret Warsand Downey returns as Iron Man.
That said,I don’t want to see the MCU resurrect Tony Stark, as his story ended in an epic way. Instead, Marvel should have Downey play a similar variant to Earth-616’s so that it’s close enough that fans feel connected to this Iron Man while also being different to allow for both Tony Starks to be their own person. An MCU reboot is rumored to happen afterAvengers: Secret Wars, and so this could be the final chance to have Downey play Iron Man one more time. RDJ’s Iron Man helping defeat hisDoctor Doomwould be a huge moment.
Avengers: Secret Wars
Cast
Avengers: Secret Wars is an anticipated installment in Phase 6 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, serving as the finale of The Multiverse Saga. Scheduled for release in December 2027, the film’s plot remains under wraps, fueling curiosity about its role in the expansive Marvel narrative.
