Summary
- Robert Downey Jr. will play Doctor Doom, not Iron Man, in upcoming Marvel films.
- Fans theorize connections between Iron Man and Doctor Doom, but they may be overthinking it.
- Doctor Doom in Marvel comics has a rich history, drawing parallels to Iron Man as an archenemy.
As a longtime Marvel fan and someone who has grown up with these iconic characters, I must admit that the recent news about Robert Downey Jr.’s casting as Doctor Doom has left me feeling conflicted. On one hand, I am thrilled at the prospect of seeing Downey Jr. reprise his role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) after his iconic portrayal of Tony Stark/Iron Man. However, on the other hand, I cannot help but feel a sense of disappointment and unease about the potential whitewashing of Doctor Doom’s Romani heritage.
This article contains spoilers for Deadpool & Wolverine
Marvel Studios declared an unexpected and thrilling revelation: Robert Downey Jr. is set to rejoin the Marvel universe, but not as Iron Man this time. Instead, he will assume the role of a different armored, masked character – Doctor Doom. Officially confirmed by Marvel Studios, Robert Downey Jr. will portray Doctor Doom in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This iconic villain is slated to appear as the main antagonist in both 2026’s “Avengers: Doomsday” and 2027’s “Avengers: Secret Wars”.
Robert Downey Jr.’s declaration at Comic-Con sparked a considerable reaction from the Hall H audience. However, the reaction online among fans has been more diverse than Marvel Studios may have anticipated. This announcement ignited much speculation regarding Doctor Doom’s potential role in the future of the franchise and any possible connections to Iron Man. Given Downey Jr.’s iconic portrayal of Iron Man and his pivotal position in establishing the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the central hero of the Infinity Saga, casting him as the primary antagonist for the Multiverse Saga suggests a significant plot development.
Although it holds significant symbolic value, fans may be interpreting it more deeply than what’s actually there. While Iron Man and Doctor Doom share a history in the comics, the rules established by the MCU multiverse suggest that one actor doesn’t portray two different characters. Fans might overlook the implications of this for films like The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Avengers: Doomsday, and Avengers: Secret Wars. They may also be overlooking the bigger picture by concentrating too much on the “variant” aspect of the characters, disregarding the larger issue at play.
Downey Jr. Being Doctor Doom Does Not Mean He Is an Iron Man Variant
1. When it was announced that Downey Jr. would play Doctor Doom, many expressed disappointment that the iconic Marvel villain would merely be a copy of Tony Stark. This assumption should’ve been debunked when the Russo Brothers clarified that Robert Downey Jr.’s Doom is actually Victor Von Doom, not just another Tony Stark. Even though Downey Jr. portrayed both Iron Man and Doctor Doom in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, people persist in thinking of Victor Von Doom as a Tony Stark variant. The fact that the same actor plays both characters doesn’t make them variations. This misconception might have been addressed in Marvel Studios’ latest film, “Deadpool & Wolverine.”
I was thrilled to see Chris Evans make an appearance as Johnny Storm, aka The Human Torch, in “Deadpool & Wolverine.” This isn’t the same character I cheered for as Captain America in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Although Deadpool seems to assume they’re one and the same, it’s clear that Evans’ Human Torch is distinct from my beloved Cap. Instead, he brings to life a different interpretation of Johnny Storm, based on Joseph Quinn’s portrayal in “The Fantastic Four: First Steps.” It’s fascinating to witness an actor bring multiple Marvel characters to life within the multiverse.
In the Marvel Cinemic Universe films, Downey Jr.’s portrayal of both Iron Man and Doctor Doom doesn’t necessarily mean Doctor Doom becomes a version of Tony Stark. This is an assumption that fans might jump to based on how characters have been altered in the past, such as Ultron being changed from Stark’s creation to Hank Pym’s. However, it’s important to remember that this assumption isn’t backed up by anything seen in the films themselves and Doctor Doom could just as easily be portrayed as a distinct villain rather than an evil version of Iron Man.
It’s unlikely that Doctor Doom in the upcoming project will be a revamped version of Iron Man from our main storyline, but rather an entirely different character with a similar appearance from another universe. This other universe could very well be where The Fantastic Four originate.
Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom Will Likely Be in Fantastic Four
In an intriguing twist, “The Fantastic Four: Origin Story” is set in an alternate universe featuring a retro-futuristic 1960s backdrop. Consequently, Robert Downey Jr.’s portrayal of Doctor Doom is confirmed to belong to this parallel timeline, positioning him as the archenemy of Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic. As a result, Doctor Doom, who clashes with the Avengers in “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars,” shares a past with the soon-to-be-introduced Fantastic Four.
In simple terms, “2015’s ‘Secret Wars,’ a significant Marvel comic series, can be seen as primarily focusing on the Fantastic Four, specifically Doctor Doom and Mr. Fantastic. Consequently, the intricate past of Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards and Robert Downey Jr.’s Victor Von Doom will take center stage in the final installment of the Multiverse Saga. This connection beautifully bridges The Avengers and the Fantastic Four for their upcoming crossover event.”
In the upcoming film “Fantastic Four: First Steps,” Galactus is set to make an appearance. There’s been talk that this movie will conclude with the Fantastic Four’s world being destroyed, leaving them stranded in the multiverse. They are rumored to reappear in the mid-credit scene of “Avengers: Doomsday,” emerging from their escape pod (possibly the Fantasti-Car) on Battleworld. This implies that Doctor Doom is also a casualty of his world’s demise, providing intriguing reasons for why he might engage the Avengers in “Avengers: Doomsday” before reshaping the Marvel Multiverse in “Avengers: Secret Wars.”
Doctor Doom and Iron Man In Marvel Comics
It’s interesting to point out that the comics feature a past connection between Doctor Doom and Iron Man, which might suggest that Marvel Studios is aiming to establish a relationship between these two characters. In the 1981 storyline “Doomquest,” found in issues #149–150 of Iron Man, authors David Michelinie and Bob Layton, along with artist John Romita Jr., had Iron Man and Doctor Doom embark on a time-traveling adventure.
According to the creators, they often considered Doctor Doom as a more suitable adversary for Iron Man rather than the Fantastic Four. This is because both Tony Stark and Victor Von Doom share similarities such as wealth, wearing tech-enhanced armor, and exceptional engineering abilities. Although Doctor Doom is primarily recognized as an enemy of the Fantastic Four, his rivalry with Stark is evident in series like “Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes” or the 2016-2017 comic series “Infamous Iron Man” by Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev, where Victor Von Doom took on the role of Iron Man.
20 years ago, Robert Downey Jr. tried out for the character of Doctor Doom in the Fantastic Four movie (2005), but the role ended up going to Julian McMahon. Instead, he went on to play Tony Stark/Iron Man, which kick-started the Marvel Cinematic Universe and a franchise that has made over $30 billion so far. Now, Downey Jr. is set to portray Doctor Doom, making everything come full circle in his career.
The One Big Issue With Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom
Fan reactions were mixed about Robert Downey Jr.’s casting as Doctor Doom. On one hand, his connection to the Marvel Universe through his Iron Man role makes him an intriguing choice. Yet, it’s also a gamble since bringing back an actor with such a strong association to another character could be seen as repetitive or unoriginal, like Hugh Jackman reprising his Wolverine role in “Deadpool & Wolverine.” Thus, Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom selection is both an apparent and daring decision.
The big issue is one of representation. Many hoped that whoever was cast as Doctor Doom would be of Romani origin, given that it is such an essential part of Doctor Doom’s heritage and story in the comics. Marvel Studios already removed that element when they cast Elizabeth Olsen and Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Quicksilver in the MCU. While Olsen is great as the Scarlet Witch and has plenty of fans who have fallen in love with her character, the matter of representation is still worth having. Marvel Studios got into plenty of trouble when they whitewashed The Ancient One by casting Tilda Swinton in a role that, in the comics, was an Asian character.
1. Robert Downey Jr.’s potential portrayal of Doctor Doom could leave audiences in awe, considering his exceptional acting skills and recent Academy Award win for Best Supporting Actor in “Oppenheimer.” However, it’s important to address the question of whether this casting choice justifies the alteration of Doctor Doom’s Romani heritage. While some concerns about Doctor Doom being a variant of Tony Stark and deviating from comic book origins are based on speculation, the fact remains that a Romani actor has not been cast as Doctor Doom. This is an aspect worth considering as we approach the release dates for “Avengers: Doomsday” (May 2026) and “Fantastic Four: First Steps” (July 25, 2025).
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2024-07-30 04:02