Why We’re Worried About Robert Downey Jr. Playing Victor Von Doom

As a longtime Marvel Comics fan who’s been following the MCU since its inception, I must admit that the idea of Secret Wars on the big screen is nothing short of exhilarating. However, as a seasoned observer of the industry, I can’t help but feel a pang of concern for the casual fans who might find it challenging to keep up with the numerous multiverses.

Every year, Marvel Studios reserves some massive surprises for their Comic-Con panel, and this time was no exception, boasting an astonishing lineup. They unveiled glimpses of future films such as “Captain America: New World Order,” “Thunderbolts,” and “The Fantastic Four: First Footsteps” to the Hall H audience. However, the most jaw-dropping revelation came when Kevin Feige revealed a groundbreaking announcement about the upcoming “Avengers” movies, which will conclude the Multiverse Storyline.

As a die-hard Marvel fan, I can’t help but get excited about the news that Joe and Anthony Russo are coming back to steer the ship for not one, but two upcoming Avengers epics: “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars.” What makes this even more thrilling is the return of a beloved franchise stalwart – Robert Downey Jr.!

The news elicited a wide range of feelings, with fans showing unbridled joy and excitement, while some skeptics of the Marvel Cinematic Universe were left puzzled. Given Doctor Doom’s significant role in Marvel Comics, it seems like a risky move by Marvel Studios to solely rely on nostalgia in this instance. Here are our concerns about whether this approach for the MCU might not be as successful as they anticipate…

The MCU has had a rough go of it post-Endgame

“The movie ‘Avengers: Endgame’ was an extraordinary achievement for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, earning approximately $2.7 billion at the box office and concluding over 20 films across three phases. However, things didn’t go smoothly when Phases 4-6 began, partly due to challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, writers’ and actors’ strikes in 2023, and underestimating Marvel fans’ tolerance level. To make matters worse, there was a significant crisis in 2023 involving Jonathan Majors’ character Kang the Conqueror, who was expected to be the next Thanos for the MCU’s Multiverse Saga.”

Since the release of “Endgame”, there have been some victories (W’s) in the Marvel universe, particularly with Disney+ series such as “WandaVision” and “Loki”, which have revealed intriguing layers to our favorite Marvel characters. Similarly, movies like “Spider-Man: No Way Home” and “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” have touched the hearts of longtime superhero movie enthusiasts. However, a common thread running through these productions is inconsistency. For instance, “Eternals” left many fans and critics unimpressed, while “Secret Invasion” seemed less like a crucial part of Marvel’s ongoing narrative and more like wasted effort.

As a long-time Marvel fan who has witnessed the rise and fall of many beloved characters, I find myself both surprised and somewhat relieved at the recent developments regarding Jonathan Majors. While it is never pleasant to see talented actors being accused of wrongdoing, in this case, it seems that the company may have found an unexpected opportunity to part ways with a character that didn’t quite live up to expectations.

Victor von Doom is an important character to Marvel fans

When it comes to alternatives for Kang, there’s no superior option than Victor von Doom, who makes an excellent choice for a shift in focus. This character is widely recognized as one of the top villains within the Marvel Comics universe. Even Stan Lee, the creator of many Marvel characters, acknowledged this, stating to VOA News in 2007, “What I like about Dr. Doom is that, despite being a king, he could come to the United States and we couldn’t arrest him because he has diplomatic immunity.” Essentially, as the ruler of the fictional nation of Latveria, Doom presents a unique challenge for Marvel superheroes.

1. In the narrative of “Secret Wars,” the character plays a crucial role by leveraging multiverse instability to assume godlike power over a freshly-minted world he himself crafted. Readers find Doom particularly appealing as a villain opposite the Fantastic Four, given his complex, self-centered persona in stark contrast to the troubled yet affectionate First Family.

Enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the cinematic portrayal of Doom, as he carries significant significance within the Marvel fanbase. The Russos aptly dubbed him the most crucial antagonist the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) needed to introduce. However, with high expectations riding on everyone involved, there’s a lot of pressure to get it just right.

Previous film adaptations of Doom didn’t turn out well

A significant cause for concern among Marvel fans regarding Doctor Doom is that he has previously been portrayed on the big screen (effectively three times if we count Joseph Culp’s role in the unproduced 1994 “Fantastic Four” movie) and each time, the performances fell short of what enthusiasts expected from the character in live-action. Put simply, these adaptations didn’t meet expectations.

The initial attempt to bring the character to life on screen was in 2005’s “Fantastic Four,” featuring Julian McMahon as Doom, a wealthy adversary of Reed Richards whose business falters following a failed space mission. This event triggers a transformation in his physical form, turning his skin into metal over time, and eventually leading to the adoption of the title “Doctor Doom.” Although McMahon’s performance has been commended, critics argue that the portrayal leans too heavily on his grudges against the Fantastic Four, neglecting the rich, complex history that forms a significant part of the character.

2015’s “Fantastic Four” movie underperformed at the box office, not just due to a flawed depiction of Doctor Doom as a solitary, amateur scientist, but as video essayist Nerdstalgic on YouTube explains in their analysis, “Doom and the Fantastic Four are intertwined; they must be linked thematically and literally.” To steer clear of past mistakes with characterizations of Doctor Doom, Marvel will have to present something fresh with Downey’s portrayal.

Robert Downey Jr. seemed to be over the Marvel Cinematic Universe

As a die-hard fan, I must say that the timing of Robert Downey Jr.’s comeback to the Marvel Cinematic Universe left me genuinely astounded. Just earlier this year, Downey Jr. clinched an Oscar, along with a Golden Globe, BAFTA, SAG Award, and Critic’s Choice Award for his exceptional performance in Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer.” This accolade felt like a triumphant closure to Downey’s life story, which was marked by a series of personal highs and lows before he donned the Iron Man suit.

During the promotional events and award ceremonies for “Oppenheimer,” it appeared as if Downey was determined to distance himself from his Marvel roles. At the BAFTAs, he publicly thanked the movie’s director for encouraging him to take a more serious acting path, stating that he had portrayed Tony in the Marvel Cinematic Universe for around 12 years and then Chris Nolan suggested he adopt a low-key approach as a final attempt to possibly revive his flagging reputation. (According to Variety)

After his previous outpouring of pride and gratitude towards Marvel, it seems like a significant shift for Downey to consider reprising his role again, potentially in the most prominent part since his last one. Maybe the actor believes there aren’t many more challenges left to conquer after his successful awards season run.

Some worry that Tony Stark’s MCU exit will be ruined

A standout scene in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is Tony Stark’s selfless act towards the end of “Avengers: Endgame.” Following the recovery of the Infinity Stones, Tony employs their immense power to annihilate Thanos (Josh Brolin) and his forces, ultimately sacrificing his own life. The movie concludes with a poignant funeral attended by numerous Marvel legends who bid farewell to a man whom Captain America (Chris Evans) initially deemed unable to prioritize the greater good over himself.

For a while now, there have been whispers about Robert Downey Jr. potentially coming back to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The actor himself has recently expressed interest in revisiting his role. But fans worry that this could lessen the impact of the character’s goodbye. In fact, Kevin Feige, head of Marvel Studios, assured Vanity Fair that they won’t tarnish the emotional significance of Tony Stark’s death. He stated, “We are committed to preserving that moment and not revisiting it. We have put a lot of effort into reaching this point, and we wouldn’t want to undo it in any way.”

Despite our initial expectations, Downey is indeed returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, it remains unclear whether this version of Doom shares similarities with Tony Stark or not. At the minimum, this development brings the MCU closer to the comic books, where characters can die and return in unexpected ways.

All the set-up for Kang the Conqueror is being thrown out

Despite the anticipation surrounding Victor Von Doom’s arrival in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, this move seems disappointing for fans who were eagerly awaiting Kang the Conqueror, initially slated to assume Thanos’ role in the Multiverse Saga. Jonathan Majors, who portrayed Kang (specifically his “He Who Remains” version) in “Loki,” and made a big-screen debut as the character in “Ant-Man & the Wasp: Quantumania,” is now being replaced by Robert Downey Jr., suggesting that Marvel Studios may be altering their initial plans due to the confusion they’ve caused.

Initially, Marvel appeared to have nailed the appearance of Kang the Conqueror in live-action. However, they missed the mark by allowing a character variant that is the most intimidating yet to be defeated by Ant-Man (Paul Rudd) – an unexpected choice. As IGN pointed out about the audience’s response, “Quantumania” sparked interest in seeing more of Kang, but it could have had a greater impact if we knew exactly which Kang version we were eagerly anticipating.

There have been numerous suggestions about how Marvel might handle the character of Kang. Some think they should recast Majors or show Doom eliminating the Council of Kangs in the mid-credits scene of “Quantumania”. However, others believe that his conclusion in “Loki” season 2 implies that the multiple Kangs are merely inconveniences that the TVA will likely handle off-screen.

Marvel repeats a pattern of white-washing characters

In relation to the ongoing debate about Robert Downey Jr.’s casting as Victor von Doom, there’s a broader conversation happening within Hollywood: the practice of whitewashing characters. For instance, Marvel has faced criticism for casting white actors in roles originally intended for non-white characters from their comic books, such as Tilda Swinton’s portrayal of The Ancient One in “Doctor Strange.” However, they have been making efforts to rectify this issue in recent projects.

Some advancements made by Marvel can be seen in movies like “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” where Namor is given Mayan origins and portrayed by Mexican actor Tenoch Huerta. Similarly, in “Eternals,” roles originally intended for white males, Makkari and Ajak, are now played by women of color, Lauren Ridloff and Salma Hayek. However, Marvel’s decision to cast Downey as Doom, a character whose parents are Romani in the comics, has sparked criticisms of racial casting again.

As a gaming enthusiast, I can understand why some might think Marvel would opt for an A-list actor for such a significant role. Yet, it’s unfortunate that Romani actors are not as widely represented in Hollywood as they should be. Considering that Doom has been portrayed twice by white male actors within the MCU, I believe it wouldn’t have harmed the narrative to give a nod to his original ethnic background. Ideally, the upcoming film will at least recognize and emphasize Doom’s Romani roots.

Downey might not even show his face on screen that much

If we consider that Robert Downey Jr.’s portrayal of Victor von Doom is not a copycat version of Tony Stark, it’s intriguing to note that some find it peculiar for the character to share similarities with the most recognized superhero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The comedy “Deadpool & Wolverine” addresses this oddity by featuring Chris Evans as Johnny Storm/Human Torch from the Tim Story “Fantastic Four” films, causing Deadpool to initially mistake him for Captain America at first.

However, The Hollywood Reporter noted after the announcement of Doom’s casting that Downey might not be required to reveal his face at all. Instead, he could hide it under a mask or makeup showing the character’s scars. According to Richard Newby’s article for the publication, Downey’s recognizable face may clash with Doom being a fearsome and intimidating figure. It’s worth mentioning that Downey has already won an Oscar for portraying a villain in “Oppenheimer.”

It has been noted that some versions of Doctor Doom from comic books interchange roles with Iron Man in various “What If…?” alternate narratives, where Stark becomes Doom and Doom becomes Iron Man. Hiding Downey’s face may disguise the character’s facial resemblance to Stark, but at this point, it seems like a missed opportunity to have such a charismatic actor playing a lesser role.

Some doubt Robert Downey Jr.’s ability to play the character

Previously discussed is the skepticism from certain fans about Robert Downey Jr.’s potential to bring the intricacies of Doctor Doom to life on screen. While this viewpoint has some merit, it could be influenced by his memorable portrayal of Tony Stark. Regarding these doubts, Downey has dismissed any comparisons between himself and the character, despite his personal image, stating to Vanity Fair, “Once they’ve used up all my call sheets in these movies, I go back to being simply…I’m just an actor who occasionally swears.”

Nevertheless, it was precisely the Stark-like traits in Downey that piqued Christopher Nolan’s interest for casting him as Lewis Strauss in “Oppenheimer,” since Strauss, the political adversary of the atomic bomb creator, represents characteristics opposite to those Downey possesses. While it’s plausible to suggest that Downey has the acting abilities to portray the ideal on-screen Doctor Doom, it could prove surprising for viewers anticipating a familiar style of performance.

As a die-hard fan, I must admit that I’ve encountered some skepticism regarding Downey’s ability to handle the intricate role he’s been cast for. It seems these doubters won’t be fully convinced until they witness it unfold on screen. If Downey manages to turn his performance around drastically, defying the expectations many have of him, it could become a triumphant achievement for Marvel, or potentially their most regrettable misstep.

The Multiverse Saga might be getting even more messy

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is gearing up for a complex phase with characters like Doctor Doom, Kang the Conqueror, and Galactus in play, especially since they’ve announced “Avengers: Secret Wars.” If you’re tired of multiverse tales, I’m afraid things are about to get even more intricate. “Secret Wars” was a comic book series from the 1980s that resurfaced in 2015. In this storyline, an incursion causes two Marvel realities to clash, almost annihilating each other, until they’re merged and ruled by Doom as the God Emperor.

In the upcoming movie titled “Avengers: Secret Wars,” we could be transported into a new realm known as “Battleworld.” This shift may result from the events unfolding in “Avengers: Doomsday.” Here, you’ll witness unique combinations of Marvel heroes hailing from various dimensions.

Surrounding Doctor Doom portrayed by Downey, audiences are likely to flock to cinemas for “Avengers” films. However, there’s a chance that Robert Downey Jr.’s iconic presence in the Marvel Cinematic Universe might transition from symbolizing its golden era to representing the moment it leaped over the shark.

Recruiting Downey and the Russos comes off as desperate

There are a lot of complex arguments for and against Robert Downey Jr.’s triumphant return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but the simplest one may be that it just seems like a desperate play from Marvel. Fan reactions already seem to be calling out the lack of creativity involved in re-hiring Downey to play one of the most highly-anticipated characters in the Marvel universe. And yet, the attention, whether good or bad, has resulted in more eyeballs on the MCU than there have been in years.

It appears that Marvel’s upcoming projects, as showcased at this year’s Comic-Con panel, lean towards safer choices rather than pioneering new directions. For instance, Robert Downey Jr. will reprise his role, the Russo brothers are returning as directors, and Stephen McFeely, co-writer of “Infinity War” and “Endgame,” is penning both upcoming “Avengers” movies. Given that innovative concepts like “Eternals” were less well-received by viewers than nostalgia-driven projects such as “Deadpool & Wolverine,” it’s understandable why Marvel might be capitalizing on their past successes.

Despite the excitement surrounding forthcoming Marvel ventures such as Robert Downey Jr.’s first appearance as Doom, some spectators perceive this as potentially a shrewd yet daring strategy by the studio aimed at regaining their broad audience base, which might be seen as a gamble.

Downey’s Doctor Doom payday highlights ongoing issues in the entertainment industry

From hereon, numerous viewpoints about Robert Downey Jr.’s portrayal as Doctor Doom may arise before his first appearance on screen, but one point that might be overlooked is the perspective this scenario presents following the Writer’s Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA strikes last year against studios over unjust wages. At that moment, Disney CEO Bob Iger criticized the latter, stating, “They have certain expectations that are simply not feasible. And they are contributing to the difficulties this industry is already experiencing, which is, in truth, quite disruptive” (as reported by Variety).

It seems that the disruption wasn’t particularly damaging, since Disney has consented to pay a substantial amount of money to their newly-employed “Avengers” creative team, led by the Russos. The Russos are rumored to be earning $80 million for their directorial roles, while Downey is speculated to earn even more – not including potential earnings from box office successes.

It’s just another day in Tinseltown, but it’s unfortunate that the visual effects teams at Marvel are unionizing to demand fair compensation and better working conditions, while top-tier talent is raking in astronomical salaries. Fans might be concerned about Downey’s performance as Doom, but they’ll never feel as mistreated by Marvel Studios as this.

2024-08-04 05:01