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Robert Downey Jr. Is Back In The MCU To Play Doctor Doom

By Brian Richards | News | July 28, 2024 |

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Header Image Source: JESSE GRANT/GETTY IMAGES FOR DISNEY

This weekend has been quite the memorable one for Marvel Studios. Deadpool & Wolverine (the only Marvel Cinematic Universe film that we’re getting this year) opened in theaters this past Thursday night, and before people could even take a sip of their morning coffee the very next day, almost all of its surprise cameos were revealed on Twitter, even in the section for its trending topics. So if you were hoping to see the Merc with a Mouth team up with the Ol’ Canucklehead on the big screen, and ended up being spoiled beforehand because people love spoiling movies and television shows for others so they can get a drop of clout, you have my sympathies.

Thursday also saw the return of San Diego Comic-Con, where Marvel Studios arrived in Hall H, and brought the house down as they’ve done many times before. Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman not only showed up to promote Deadpool & Wolverine along with its director/co-writer, Shawn Levy, they surprised the audience by letting them know that they would be showing the film in its entirety and that they’d be in the audience watching it with them.

The biggest, most earth-shattering news to come from Marvel at Comic-Con was announced yesterday, as Marvel Studios CEO Kevin Feige appeared on stage with directors Joe and Anthony Russo, who are returning to the MCU to direct the next two Avengers films. Not only did they reveal that the fifth Avengers film will now be called Avengers: Doomsday, they also revealed that they hired someone to play Doctor Doom in the MCU, and that they hired the most talented actor they could find to play the role.

And that actor? Robert Downey Jr.

It should come as a surprise to absolutely no one that this casting announcement not only broke the Internet, but it had people incredibly divided on how to feel about it. Some fans were overjoyed at the thought of Doctor Doom appearing in the MCU as a sinister variant of Tony Stark, and immediately started doing the Birdman Handrub at the thought of Downey Jr. playing a powerful genius using his intelligence and his skills for evil rather than good. Others were disappointed and frustrated, and not only saw this casting choice as a sign of utter laziness on Feige’s part, but hated the idea of a vital character like Victor Von Doom being introduced to the MCU as a variant instead of as his own person. There are numerous actors (particularly actors of Romani heritage who weren’t hired by Marvel to play other Romani characters like Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch) that could’ve been hired to make their MCU debut as Doctor Doom, and make the role their own. Hell, there are numerous actors who could’ve been hired to replace Jonathan Majors as Kang, and allow Marvel to continue with their original plans for the character.

But for Marvel and Disney to bring back Robert Downey Jr., of all people? When he already made his mark by starring in the film that launched the MCU, becoming one of the most beloved figures in the franchise, and going out in a blaze of glory when he snapped the Infinity Gauntlet to defeat Thanos once and for all, even at the cost of his own life? Listen, the man is likable and undeniably talented, but this is also the same Robert Downey Jr. who spent much of his time during the Oppenheimer press tour talking about how great it was to appear in a movie that pushed his acting muscles to the limit, and reminded him of what he was truly capable of. Only to then turn around, and run back into the arms of the MCU when they showed up in front of his house with Scrooge McDuck’s Money Bin as an offer he couldn’t refuse. It’s crystal-clear that Marvel wants to be back on top in Hollywood, and regain all of the bragging rights that come with it. What better way to do that than by bringing back one of their best and most successful actors to not only appear in the next two Avengers films, but to introduce the newest Big Bad who will make life hell for Earth’s Mightiest Heroes? But Marvel doesn’t need Downey Jr. to make that happen, and Downey Jr. (who won numerous awards, including the Oscar, for his role in Oppenheimer) doesn’t need them or their money to stay booked and busy.

Other news from Marvel Studios at San Diego Comic-Con:

The cast of The Fantastic Four (Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, Ebon Moss-Bachrach) appeared on stage with the film’s director, Matt Shakman (who also directed every episode of WandaVision), to discuss the film before production officially starts in the U.K. on Monday. According to Deadline Hollywood, test footage was shown to the audience of its alternate universe 1960s setting, of Marvel’s First Family wearing spacesuits, a spacecraft taking off into orbit, and a glimpse of Galactus. The panel also revealed that the film’s official title is now The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and its score will be composed by Michael Giacchino.

For Captain America: Brave New World, Harrison Ford (who plays President Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, and replaces the late William Hurt in the role) got to Hulk out a bit on stage while joining the rest of the cast, and mentioned jokingly that he would discuss “no references to current history” while discussing his Presidential role in the MCU. Giancarlo Esposito also revealed who he’ll be playing in the film: Seth Voelker, a.k.a. Sidewinder, president of the Serpent Society. Which rules out other theories that have been shared online about how he would be either Grim Reaper or G.W. Bridge. The existence of Adamantium (which is best known as the near-indestructible metal that Wolverine’s skeleton and claws are coated in) will also be introduced in the film, and if you’re one of the many Marvel fans who have asked repeatedly when the MCU will reference the ginormous corpse of Tiamut the Communicator from Eternals that is protruding from the ocean? You will finally get what you’re asking for, according to footage from Captain America: Brave New World that was shown to the crowd during the panel.

From Deadline Hollywood:

During its Hall H Comic-Con panel on Saturday, Marvel Studios unveiled new footage from Captain America: Brave New World…Introducing Giancarlo Esposito as villain Sidewinder — who the actor referred to as “King of the Serpent Society” — the clip opens with a speech from a “historic evening” at the White House from President Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross (Harrison Ford), who appeared on panel today.

“When a celestial mass emerged in the Indian Ocean, we did what we often do. We squabbled over it, countries rushed in to claim it as their own, setting up research facilities to exploit its resources,” he said. “But the truth is, this new element belongs to all of us. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Adamantium. It’s in a secure location, and we have our own Captain America to thank for that.”

Thunderbolts* got to enjoy some time in the spotlight, as well. (FYI: Don’t bother asking what the asterisk next to Thunderbolts* is for, as Feige is still keeping that answer under his ever-present baseball cap until after the film opens in theaters.) At least one theory has arisen so far that the Thunderbolts are actually the Dark Avengers, and that the team’s real name will be revealed in the film. David Harbour appeared in costume as Red Guardian, only to be shocked that he was the only cast member that was suited up. Footage was shown of the stuntpersons coordinating action scenes on set, including a fight sequence between Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) and John Walker, a.k.a. U.S. Agent (Wyatt Russell). Harbour expressed his appreciation for Pugh, and Pugh gave a shout-out to the film’s stunt team. Julia Louis-Dreyfus discussed the motivations of her character, Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, who was last seen in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever: “[She] is after power, control and, I would say, just generally she wants to kick ass in the Marvel universe.” Along with Pugh, Harbour, Russell, Louis-Dreyfus, Geraldine Viswanathan (Valentina’s assistant), and Harrison Ford as President Ross, the rest of the Thunderbolts* cast includes Olga Kurylenko (Taskmaster from Black Widow), Hannah John-Kamen (Ghost from Ant-Man and the Wasp), Lewis Pullman (Sentry), and Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes, a.k.a. the Winter Soldier, who will be acting as team leader.

Don’t expect to see any of the teaser footage for these films online anytime soon, as it is exclusive to Comic-Con, and to the attendees who were fortunate enough to see it in person. If you do any unauthorized footage on Twitter or YouTube that someone uploaded from their phone, expect the snipers from Marvel Studios to spring into action and tell those websites, “I think the f-ck not, you trick-ass bitch!,” and have that footage removed.

No matter how you feel about what Marvel and Disney have shared and discussed with the public this past weekend, one thing is certain: They had a mission to get everyone talking about them, and that mission was accomplished. Not only are people talking about them, much of the conversation has largely been positive, and they are once again waiting with antici…pation for what’s coming up next in the MCU. If, however, the news of Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom still has you shaking your head and talking sh-t about Marvel? About how they’re now coasting on nostalgia to restore them to their former glory, and how the DCU is now starting to look much better in comparison? Take some solace in this tweet from actor O’Shea Jackson Jr.

Captain America: Brave New World is scheduled to open in theaters February 14, 2025, followed by Thunderbolts*, which opens on May 5, 2025; The Fantastic Four: First Steps opens on July 25, 2025; Blade will hopefully open on November 7, 2025; Avengers: Doomsday opens May 1, 2026, and Avengers: Secret Wars opens on May 7, 2027.




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