Robert Downey Jr. has been instrumental in the buildup of the MCU with the first Iron Man. His iconic role as Tony Stark has been the cornerstone of the Infinity Saga as the leader of the Avengers. The character joined the fight against Thanos in the last two Avengers films. The character famously sacrificed his life to save the universe, leaving every fan devastated.
There have been rumors that Downey Jr. will return to the MCU in some form. Downey Jr. has also recently expressed his desire to wear the suit on his back again in a potential future project. However, Marvel Studios pulled a real shocker at San Diego Comic-Con by announcing that Downey Jr. will indeed return, but in a sinister way as Doctor Doom.
Robert Downey Jr’s Love For Complicated Characters Made Him Accept Doctor Doom Role
Robert Downey Jr.’s role as the extravagant billionaire superhero Tony Stark enthralled audiences in the Infinity Saga. The character’s heroic sacrifice in Endgame is still etched into people’s minds. The current multiverse saga has not hit a home run with many underwhelming projects. The concept of the multiverse has become lazy at this point leading to some frustrating narratives.
The upcoming Avengers films is set to be the ultimate epic conclusion of the multiverse saga and despite audiences already hating on the multiverse, the films will surely double down on that concept. The Marvel panel dropped some big reveals as it was announced that Avengers 5 will be titled Avengers: Doomsday.
The studio saved their biggest news at the end as they announced that Downey Jr. will be returning to the MCU in a villainous role as Victor Von Doom. The actor surprised audiences as he wore the iconic steel mask, green cape, and hood that the character is associated with. The Iron Man star revealed that he is always down for playing complicated characters and thus accepted the role of the iconic Marvel villain. He said (via YouTube),
New mask. Same task. What can I tell you, I like playing complicated characters.
The big revelation of his return will certainly bring in a mixed reaction from the public. While many are excited about RDJ’s return to the MCU, others are pissed at Marvel for making such a desperate move and one that may tarnish the legacy of Tony Stark. However, with the Russo Brothers directing, there must be something unique planned.
Fans Are Not Happy With Marvel’s ‘Desperate’ Casting of Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom
Much has been said about the upcoming Avengers films and how it will wrap up the multiverse saga. Avengers 5 has now been changed from Kang Dynasty to Avengers: Doomsday as announced at San Diego Comic-Con. The studio also announced Doctor Doom as the big bad of the two Avengers films with Robert Downey Jr. returning to play the iconic villain.
As big as the news was, most Marvel fans are not happy with the announcement and calling it a desperate move from the studio to elicit nostalgia and fan service. Here are some of the reactions on X,
itβs a desperate, creatively bankrupt casting and shouldnβt have happened
— harv (@harvv) July 28, 2024
Horrible casting that was done strictly for fan service and to bring back a pre endgame era, instead of actually doing a proper doctor doom adaptation
— Craig (@CS11__) July 28, 2024
im confused because they spent a year building up kang just to scrap him and buildup dr doom who was also played by iron man.. pic.twitter.com/w8YzxoCY24
— zyon (@remvics) July 28, 2024
Creatively bankrupt
— Lee (@FilmItLee) July 28, 2024
It won't work.
— ππ. π₯ππ± πππππ, ππ ποΈβπ¨οΈ (@Vox_Oculi) July 28, 2024
While Downey Jr. will undoubtedly do a great job in the role, one begins to wonder whether they will create a story that does justice to the character while also not destroying his legacy as Iron Man. Also, returning to the MCU after his recent Oscar win is a move that fans wouldn’t like. Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars hits theatres on May 2026 and May 2027 respectively.Β
