Fan campaigns have long envisioned seeing either a Robert Downey Jr. or Cillian Murphy iteration of the iconic, legendary, and considered one of the best supervillains, Doctor Doom. With Jonathan Majors’ rendezvous with the MCU cut short following the reports of his conviction, many have theorized who the next big baddie, threatening the lives of our favorite superheroes and commencing multiversal warfare, would be.
One of the go-to replacements suggested on several fan forums and even validated by unconfirmed rumors holds Doctor Doom in the highest importance. But if the intricate antagonist were to be revealed as the all-powerful destroyer in Secret Wars, his presence in the series would sadly amount to a waste of potential. This would notably be the case if Jonathan Hickman’s 2015 Secret Wars comic book storyline run were to be adapted by the MCU.
Doctor Doom’s Potential Deserves A Well-Established MCU Stint
In both 1984-1985 and 2015-16’s Secret Wars storylines, Doom’s involvement is intrinsic, constantly underscoring the villain’s compelling draw to readers. Arguably the central figure, he is pivotal to the overarching arc. To imagine an adaptation of the run without the antagonist is challenging for most fans.
Jonathan Hickman’s Secret Wars emulated a few facets of the preceding narrative. However, the concept was more complex, posing graver implications for the vast Marvel Multiverse. And at the story’s core was Doom. A culminating point in the nuanced character’s journey, the 2015 run saw the beloved supervillain amass an enormous power boost, transforming into God Emperor Doom (his most formidable form) and creating his iteration of the Battleworld.
Reaching this point in Doom’s journey wasn’t an overnight effort.
Instead, this was the peak in the series of long-running decade-spanning developments. The 2015 run didn’t imply the end of Doctor Doom’s involvement in Marvel Comics. However, it yielded a picture-perfect exploration of his potential—serving better as a satisfactory final arc. But if it were explored in the MCU’s Secret Wars, it would be a waste of potential.
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Why? Because the film franchise has yet to introduce the character and establish his footing. Even if it thrills a few, Doom’s tenure as the Multiversal Saga’s “big bad” in the MCU would be short-lived.
If the franchise hopes to utilize Doom for more than just a one-time deal, the timing and longevity of his inclusion must be carefully considered. Even if he were introduced in the present, developing him as the omnipotent, all-powerful antagonist would be a painstaking effort to achieve within a few films. Throwing him only a few years before a storyline where he transforms into a God-like entity after a journey that took years in the comics would feel excruciatingly rushed!
If the MCU intends to keep fans engaged beyond the Multiversal Saga, they must tackle Doom with a long-term approach and not make him the main villain of Secret Wars.
Besides, it would be tedious to have him around as a threat to our favorite superheroes for a short period, given how menacing he can be.
Robert Downey Jr. And Cillian Murphy Are The Popular Choices For The Role
Avengers: Secret Wars may not set up Doctor Doom as the big bad to battle against the sturdiest MCU superheroes. However, his inclusion in the premise cannot entirely be ruled out. In fact, if the franchise intends to sow the seeds of a promising future, they must introduce the antagonist soon and have his progression into a threat transpire beyond the Multiversal Saga.
With that in mind, we look into the fan-campaigned and favored choices for the role. Some have envisioned Robert Downey Jr. as a Doom variant in the upcoming multiverse phases. This craze emerged after it was revealed (via YouTube) that the actor was in earlier talks to play the villain in the Tim Story-helmed Fantastic Four (2005). Since the clip surfaced, Marvel fans have been clamoring for Robert Downey Jr.’s return to the franchise as a Doom or Stark-Doom variant.
Read more: One Marvel Movie Has Set Up Robert Downey Jr’s MCU Return As Doctor Doom Variant!
As for Cillian Murphy, fan concepts and designs have long imagined him playing the Fantastic Four nemesis. Addressing the popular fan-casting in an interview (via Happy Sad Confused), the Oppenheimer star once emphasized that he’d be interested to read the script if it was offered. Murphy would be sold on the notion if the script is decent.
Presently, MCU is at a crossroads with a lot on its plate that needs to be handled. With the future of Avengers 5 and Avengers: Secret Wars shrouded in mystery, it could only be seen if the dreams of a Robert Downey Jr. or Cillian Murphy-played Doom would ever come to be—if the villain itself ends up coming to be.
