Article about predicted casting of Robert Downey Jr as Doctor Doom 20 years ago

Marvel has recently announced that Robert Downey Jr. will reprise his role in the universe as Doctor Doom, however, it was actually predicted 20 years ago.

The 2024 San Diego Comic-Con was filled with thrilling announcements, but the one that caused a stir online was Marvel Studios’ reveal that Robert Downey Jr. would be portraying Doctor Doom in the highly anticipated Avengers: Doomsday.

The unexpected return of Downey to the Marvel Cinematic Universe shocked fans, as his iconic role of Iron Man had come to an end in 2019’s Avengers: Endgame.

Despite not being chosen at random, Marvel did not select the actor for this role. Robert Downey Jr. was previously considered for the role of the Fantastic Four villain in 2005.

Guess that audition for Doom stuck with Feige all these years https://t.co/k8WnhNQ8jh

— Cris Parker (@3CFilmss) July 28, 2024

To mark Iron Man’s 15th anniversary, Marvel Studios posted a video where the film’s director, Jon Favreau, shared that Downey had already caught their attention even before joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe as they saw him fit to portray the menacing villain.

Favreau reminded Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige, “I recall Robert attending a general meeting for Iron Man, and at that point, you had already discussed Doctor Doom or another project with him. I believe he had also auditioned for Fantastic Four, so his name was already familiar to everyone.”

“I recall being in your office with the guy, thinking to myself, ‘He’s got that unmistakable spark in his eye and he’s prepared.’ It was at that moment when we were looking at his headshot and discussing how to make it work for Iron Man.”

Ultimately, the studio opted for Nip/Tuck star Julian McMahon instead of Downey for the role in the first Fantastic Four movie and its subsequent sequel.

It is clear that there was no animosity between the actor and Marvel, as Downey was then chosen as the face of their billion-dollar franchise just three years later.

Despite fans being ecstatic over Downey’s future role in the MCU, it’s undeniable that he had been building up to this moment for almost two decades.