What Robert Downey Jr.’s MCU Return Means for Marvel Fans

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It’s hard to think of an actor managing his career after leaving a franchise better than Robert Downey Jr. This makes his announced return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where he’ll be playing the villainous Dr. Doom in forthcoming “Avengers” sequels, a surprise.

Downey’s “Iron Man” kicked off the MCU in 2008, and Tony Stark’s death in 2019’s “Avengers: Endgame” was a climax. “Endgame” represented a culmination of Marvel storytelling up to that point, with Downey’s character at the emotional center. His definitive departure seemed to signal an end to that era, so much so that when he announced his return, even his co-star Gwyneth Paltrow commented, “I don’t get it, are you a baddie now?”

Following his Marvel departure, Downey experienced a setback with his film “Dolittle,” which was both a critical and commercial failure in early 2020. Reflecting on the film, Downey admitted he was “a little too excited about the deal, and not quite excited enough about the merits of the execution.” This led him to reset his priorities.

This reset brought him to a supporting role in Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer,” for which he won an Oscar, and to executive-producing and appearing in HBO’s “The Sympathizer,” for which he is now an Emmy nominee. Later this year, Downey will debut on Broadway in a new play by Pulitzer-winner Ayad Akhtar, demonstrating his inclination towards taking risks.

Downey’s career trajectory showcases an actor with range. His success during the Marvel period also boosted his other films like “Due Date” and the “Sherlock Holmes” movies. “Iron Man” completed a full-scale comeback for Downey, who had previously battled career purgatory and addiction. By the mid-2010s, he was a blue-chip movie star, though his choice for “Iron Man” had been considered risky.

His return to Marvel can be seen in various ways. One is as a homecoming. Downey’s potential return has been speculated since 2019. In an Actors on Actors conversation with Jodie Foster, he mentioned that Tony Stark is “just crazily in my DNA. Probably the most like-me character I’ve ever played, even though he’s way cooler than I am.” However, Downey is not returning as Stark but as Dr. Doom, though the connections between characters could intrigue Marvel lore enthusiasts.

Downey’s return also helps Marvel, which planned to feature Jonathan Majors’ Kang character in the upcoming “Avengers” sequels. Following Majors’ conviction for misdemeanor assault and harassment, Marvel parted ways with him and renamed “Avengers: The Kang Dynasty” to “Avengers: Doomsday.” The studio’s fortunes seemed flagging, with film after film met with muted enthusiasm, but Downey’s return ties back to what fans may see as Marvel’s golden age.

Perhaps Downey sees an opportunity. His first run of Marvel films played on his persona: quick-witted and soulful. This was the Downey seen in “Less Than Zero,” “Home for the Holidays,” and “Ally McBeal.” It’s the kind of work he did on the comeback trail before “Iron Man.”

Since “Dolittle,” Downey has expanded his range. In “Oppenheimer,” he showcased malice and resentment. In “The Sympathizer,” he played four different characters representing white American power structures. This could lead to something new in the upcoming Marvel films, something deeper than the Tony Stark persona.

Returning to Marvel might look like a regression or a smart career move. Downey has revitalized his career twice. First in 2008, when his and Marvel’s fortunes rose together, and then in the 2020s, as he made his own way. Maybe he has a little magic to spare.

Source: Variety