Is Robert Downey Jr. Returning to the MCU as Dr. Doom a Good Idea?

Marvel Studios has once again shaken up Hall H and the broader pop culture landscape with its latest announcements at San Diego Comic-Con. Among the bombshells dropped was the exciting news that Joe and Anthony Russo will be directing the upcoming Avengers movies, “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars.” In addition to this, the revelation that Robert Downey Jr. will be making his MCU return as Doctor Doom has left fans buzzing with mixed reactions.

While Downey has proven his acting chops in post-MCU ventures like “Oppenheimer” and “The Sympathizer,” his casting as Doctor Doom isn’t sitting well with everyone. A vital part of Doctor Doom’s backstory is his Romani heritage, an aspect that Marvel Studios appears to be overlooking. In the comics, Victor Von Doom’s upbringing in a Romani tribe greatly influenced his character, blending the sorcery he learned from his mother with his own brilliant intellect to protect his people. This background is key to his motivations, including his take over of Latveria to safeguard his homeland. Past film portrayals, such as those by Julian McMahon and Toby Kebbell, have similarly ignored these cultural roots, much to the frustration of purist fans. Given the MCU’s past efforts in cultural representation with movies like “Black Panther” and “Shang-Chi,” this move feels like a disappointing step backward.

The timing of Doctor Doom’s appearance also raises eyebrows. Historically, Doom has been a formidable villain in the Marvel Universe, but his rise to infamy was a gradual process. In the comics, Doom didn’t even clash with the Fantastic Four until the fifth issue and didn’t cement his role as a major adversary until much later. The upcoming “Doomsday” and “Secret Wars” films are seemingly inspired by the 1980s “Marvel Super Hero Secret Wars” series. However, introducing Doom so early could feel rushed, especially as it diverges from original plans for the next Avengers movies. The upcoming “Doomsday” was initially named “The Kang Dynasty” and intended to focus on Kang the Conqueror, but complications like director Destin Daniel Cretton’s departure and Jonathan Majors’ legal troubles led to a shuffle in plans.

Robert Downey Jr.’s return seems like a nostalgic decision aimed at reigniting interest among MCU fans who may have drifted away. While there’s no doubt that “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars” aim to be as significant as “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Avengers: Endgame,” the success of those films was built on years of careful buildup. By rushing Doom into prominence, Marvel Studios risks undermining one of its most iconic villains. The studio would do well to remember that hit films like “Spider-Man: No Way Home” and the forthcoming “Deadpool & Wolverine” succeeded by balancing nostalgia with fresh storytelling. Downey’s return shouldn’t overshadow the need to develop Doctor Doom into a compelling figure.

Another vital aspect being potentially overlooked is the legendary rivalry between Doctor Doom and Reed Richards, also known as Mister Fantastic. Doom’s relentless need to prove his superiority over Reed is a driving force in Marvel comics, reaching its peak in the 2015 “Secret Wars” series by Jonathan Hickman and Esad Ribic. In this series, Doom gains godlike powers and forms Battleworld from various remnants of the Marvel multiverse, even going as far as stealing Reed’s family. The complex dynamic between Doom and Richards provides rich narrative material that could be explored in future Marvel properties. However, not building this rivalry from the ground up risks missing out on one of the most intriguing relationships in Marvel’s history.

The 2015 “Secret Wars” is renowned for its depth and intricate storytelling, built on years of groundwork by Jonathan Hickman. Marvel Studios should aim to give Doctor Doom’s introduction the same level of care and sophistication. Simply relegating him to a role within the Avengers franchise doesn’t do justice to his character. There’s ample opportunity to explore Doom in future Fantastic Four movies if “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” turns out to be a success. Downey’s phrase “New mask, same task” at Hall H should serve as a reminder to focus on nuanced storytelling rather than relying solely on familiar faces to draw audiences.

“Avengers: Doomsday” is set to premiere in U.S. theaters in May 2026, followed by “Avengers: Secret Wars” in May 2027. Fans can catch up with past Avengers films, including “Avengers: Endgame,” currently available for streaming on Disney+ in the U.S.

Source: Collider