Robert Downey Jr. confirms which Doctor Doom he’s playing has me more excited because it’s the best choice

Robert Downey Jr.’s return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe will see the actor playing a version of Doctor DoomAnd I’m glad 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 during The Infinity Saga, the best time of the MCU. As such, when the MCU found itself in a tough situation after Kong the Conqueror star Jonathan Majors was fired, it made sense that Marvel turned to RDJ to help the MCU.

I found it interesting that Marvel decided the best way to bring Downey back would be as Doctor Doom instead of Iron Man. Even if the Earth-616 Tony Stark is deadThere are still several versions of the hero from other universes that could have appeared in the MCU’s slate of projects to fight a new actor like Doctor Doom. Still, I think 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 this character.

Key facts

• Robert Downey Jr. auditioned to play Doctor Doom for Fox’s 2005 Fantastic Four movie

• Downey Jr will become the 4th known MCU actor to play two different characters (not variants), after Michelle Yeoh, Gemma Chan and David Dastmalchian

• In Marvel’s What If? Iron Man: Demon in Armor #1, Tony Stark’s mind is transferred into Victor Von Doom’s body

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 about how the actor could play the villain in the MCU after giving life to Iron Man for more than a decade. Due to his recent MCU role, many fans believed that Marvel could use the multiverse to create a Tony Stark variant of the MCU’s Doctor Doom. I also thought about that possibility, like There are several versions of the Marvel villain in the comics that relate to Iron ManSo there would be something of a precedent for the choice.

However, Robert Downey Jr. spoke to his Doctor Doom casting, revealing key details about the process that led to his MCU return, as well as which version of Doom he will be playing. According to Downey, he will play Victor von Doom, the classic version of the Marvel Comics villainIn the two upcoming Avengers movies, 2026’s Avengers: Doomsday and 2027s Avengers: Secret Wars. RDJ explained that the process of his MCU return started a 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 Fig said to him:Let’s get Victor Von Doom right.” Although RDJ proved a divisive choice for Doctor Doom due to some fans wanting a new actor to become the villain, I can’t say I’m sad about the casting. Downey just landed an Oscar-winning role in Oppenheimer As one of the antagonists of the movie, and the actor has many roles in his career that show that he can bring a complex, authoritative and intense Victor von Doom to life, just as he is in the comics.

I think a classic Doctor Doom is better than an Iron Man variant

The MCU didn’t need a convoluted origin for Doom

I’m very glad we’re getting Downey as Victor von Doom instead of the actor returning to play an Iron Man variant that became Doctor Doom. There are several reasons for this. Most importantly, the MCU doesn’t need to make its main villain change even more confusing. until now, The multiverse saga has already established Kong the Conqueror and the Council of Kings For the next two Avengers movies. With a sudden change to Doom taking the role, I think the switch needs to be as simple as possible.

sure, The multiverse could be used to explain how RDJ is Doctor DoomGiven that there are an endless number of Tony Stark variants that could have turned into Doctor Doom. Several theories surrounding this possible story route picked up some steam among fans, with a couple including Iron Man and Doctor Doom switching bodies as happened in the comics and Doom projecting his conscience onto the MCU’s deceased Iron Man. However, Marvel quickly set up Doctor Doom and pitted him against the MCU’s heroes Avengers: DoomsdayI believe that a simple introduction works better.

How RDJ could play Victor Von Doom after the MCU’s Tony Stark

The multiverse should still be used to introduce Doctor Doom

Although Downey will be playing Victor von Doom and not an Iron Man variant like Doctor Doom, the villain could still come from an alternate universe. I believe it is The only way for Marvel to explain why Doom and Stark are played by the same actorConsidering that with RDJ’s reported massive salary, it’s hard to believe that Marvel would keep Doctor Doom’s mask all the time. RDJs Doctor Doom will be debuting at The Fantastic Four: First Steps‘ mid/post-credits scene and that might explain everything to do with his casting.

with The Fantastic Four reboot took place in a different universe Featuring a retro-futuristic version of New York in the 1960s, RDJ’s Doctor Doom might as well come from 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 Steps Revealing Downey’s Doctor Doom comes from this 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.

I want to see both of Downey’s MCU characters interact at least once

Iron Man and Doctor Doom have to fight

While Downey plays 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 Wars Would be the perfect film for that to happen In, as it would allow RDJ to cement himself as Doctor Doom first in Avengers: DoomsdayPresumably defeat the Avengers and other multiverse heroes that may appear in it before the remaining characters seek help to take him down in Avengers: Secret Wars And Downey returns as Iron Man.

That said, I don’t want to see the MCU resurrect Tony StarkLike his story, it ended on an epic note. Instead, Marvel should have Downey play a similar variant to Earth-616 so that it is close enough that fans feel connected to Iron Man and also different to allow both Tony Starks to be their own person. An MCU reboot is rumored to happen after Avengers: Secret WarsAnd so this could be the last chance to have Downey play Iron Man one more time. RDJ’s Iron Man helping defeat his Doctor Doom Would be a huge moment.

All announced upcoming MCU movies