Summary
Robert Downey Jr. is returning to the MCU inAvengers: DoomsdayandSecret Warsto play the villain Doctor Doom. However, fans hoping this might be a one-time stunt-casting event may want to brace themselves for surprising news.
Downey Jr.’s return to the MCU inAvengers: DoomsdayandAvengers: Secret Warswas first announced at Marvel Sudios' Hall H presentation at San Diego Comic-Con 2024. While the Hall H attendees were audibly excited by this casting announcement, many fans were disappointed that Marvel Studios was resorting to casting arguably the MCU’s most famous face instead of finding a new actor to portray the iconic Doctor Doom. There had been some hope that anew actor would eventually take over the Doctor Doom role, but a new rumor may have dashed those hopes.
Is Robert Downey Jr. Done Playing Doctor Doom After Avengers: Secret Wars?
Notable scooperMyTimeToShineHelloclaimsMarvel Studios wants Robert Downey Jr. to continue playing Doctor Doom afterAvengers: Secret Wars.As noted by@JoshDenofNerds, some fans hoped thatDowney Jr.’s return to the MCU as Doctor Doomwould be temporary. However, MyTimeToShineHello reaffirmed Josh’s belief that Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom wouldn’t be replaced, clarifying in no uncertain terms, “Yep this IS the MCU Doom.”
After Downey Jr.’s return as Doctor Doom was announced, there was initially some confusion regarding whether or not the Academy-Award-winning actor’s incarnation of the Fantastic Four villain was merely an evil Tony Stark variant. Even Iron Man co-starGwyneth Paltrow was confused by Downey Jr.’s return as Doctor Doom. It’s since been clarified that Downey Jr. is playing Victor von Doom, not an evil version of Tony Stark who happens to wear the villain’s iconic armor instead of the Iron Man suit. Fans have formulated theories about how the MCU will explain Tony Stark and Doctor Doom’s identical appearances. However, withAvengers: Secret Warsrumored to reboot the franchise, many of these theories posit that Downey Jr’s Doctor Doom will be replaced by the ‘real’ Victor von Doom, allowing a new actor to take on the role. Unfortunately, if MyTimeToShineHello’s information is correct, Marvel Studios has no intention of delivering a ‘proper’ version of Doctor Doom.
While few fans doubtDowney Jr. can play Doctor Doom well, it’s difficult for many not to see this casting decision as blatant desperation. AfterAvengers: Endgame, Marvel Studios experienced box office disappointment and outright bombs. Yes, films likeGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3orDeadpool and Wolverinewere blockbuster hits. However,Ant-Man 3,The Marvels, and others did not reach the height of past MCU successes, leading most to assume Marvel Studios' days of guaranteed box office hits were over. It’s understandable why Marvel Studios wants to bring back its most bankable star. However, part of the appeal of seeing Marvel Studios regain the film rights to the Fantastic Four and Doctor Doom was that fans would see a new (and hopefully the best) cinematic interpretation of these characters. So, Marvel Studios casting an actor they’ve already seen in the MCU as Doctor Doom, a villain worthy of an entirely fresh start, is disappointing to some fans.
Avengers: Secret Warsis scheduled to be released in theaters on July 20, 2025.
Avengers: Secret Wars
Avengers: Secret Wars is the sixth Avengers film and takes place during phase six of Marvel’s Cinematic Universe. The film will see several heroes from the prior phases return and battle against a cosmic threat to rival Thanos, and borrows elements of the Marvel Comics event of the same name.
