Somehow, Robert Downey Jr has made a comeback… and he’s bringing an entire world of destruction with him.
The biggest SDCC announcement imaginable was dropped by Marvel in Hall H, as they revealed the MCU’s new big bad and brought the house down.
The Multiverse Saga is shifting its focus towards Avengers Doomsday, with Doctor Doom taking the place of Kang. Robert Downey Jr., who played Tony Stark and was instrumental in the success of the MCU, is now turning to the dark side.
How exactly did this major change in direction come about? What implications does it have for Marvel’s Phase 6? And what motivated Downey Jr to take such a daring leap?
The big announcement
On July 27, 2024, the Russo Brothers announced that Victor Von Doom would be featured in Avengers 5. As they were surrounded by a group of fans dressed as the Marvel villain, they made it clear that only one person was fit to play the role… and that person was none other than Downey Jr.
According to Joe Russo, the Marvel multiverse holds endless possibilities, and we present to you the only individual capable of portraying Victor Von Doom.
After that, Downey Jr took off his Doom mask and extended his arms, reminiscent of Stark’s missile demonstration in Iron Man. He basked in the cheers and applause from the audience at San Diego Comic-Con.
The exact date of Downey Jr’s debut is still unknown. He may make guest appearances in future Marvel films and their post-credits scenes. One thing we can confirm is that he will play a significant role in Doomsday and the following Secret Wars.
Why Has Marvel Made This Decision?
In short, Jonathan Majors was convicted of assault and harassment, requiring Marvel to either replace Kang or find a different antagonist. They ultimately chose the latter option, leading to the involvement of Doom and Downey Jr.
One could make the case that finding a new actor to portray Kang would have been a simpler solution. Considering the previous movies and the Loki TV series have been building up to the Kang Dynasty storyline, it would be a significant gamble for Marvel to abandon it at this point.
In addition to that, the introduction of Downey Jr Doom is expected to come at a cost of approximately $80 million. While this may be a significant payday for the actor, it poses a substantial expense for the studio.
Despite this, the MCU has recently faced both financial and critical setbacks (excluding Deadpool and Wolverine). It is crucial for Marvel to successfully conclude the next major Avengers film. And what better way to ensure this than by bringing back one of the most renowned actors in the industry?
Robert Downey Jr. is a Marvel god
Despite calls from many to brand Downey Jr’s move to Doom as a cash grab, there is likely more to his decision. With a strong fanbase within the Marvel community, it can be difficult for an actor to step away from such a strong connection.
It is evident from the reaction of the SDCC crowd that RDJ holds a crucial role in the success of the MCU. He has been a part of it since the beginning, captivating fans with his entertaining and exhilarating portrayal of Tony Stark. His emotional death in Endgame brought everything full circle.
Despite facing some challenges in the ’90s, including arrests for drug possession, firearm possession, and driving offenses, the franchise also had a positive impact on Downey Jr. It helped him overcome those obstacles and revitalize his career.
Despite his difficulties, he was able to turn his life around and clean himself up. Eventually, he gradually made a comeback and his career (and wealth) skyrocketed thanks to the MCU.
Kevin Feige openly acknowledged that hiring RDJ as Iron Man was a major gamble, but it’s clear that risk paid off and then some for Marvel Studios.
Undoubtedly, money is a positive factor. Undoubtedly, Marvel’s offer of a staggering salary made Downey Jr’s choice to return an effortless one. However, it is important to acknowledge that he is also returning to a franchise that provided him with over a decade of affection, admiration, and, ultimately, a lasting legacy.
How will his version of Doom work?
There are two options for Marvel to consider. One is for Downey Jr to portray Doctor Doom as a separate character from Tony Stark, while the other is for him to play a twisted version of Stark who has succumbed to his own thirst for power. The latter is the more probable choice.
It has been suggested that, much like in the storyline of Deadpool and Wolverine, the Avengers may have to locate a version of Stark to rescue their timeline. There is speculation that Stark held the crucial role of the Anchor Being in the MCU’s Earth-616, and his absence has put the sacred timeline in jeopardy.
After searching the multiverse, the Earth’s Mightiest Heroes finally come across a potential match. However, they soon discover that he is not as they had anticipated. Despite his resemblance to Tony Stark, this alternate version is actually a villain who has adopted the persona of Doctor Doom.
This scenario would involve the Avengers teaming up with the X-Men, the Fantastic Four, and other familiar characters to battle Doom and save the entire multiverse, mirroring the events of the 2015 Secret Wars comic book arc with some slight adjustments.
While some have predicted that the Infamous Iron Man comic book arc will heavily inspire Doomsday, this may not be the case. The story follows Victor Von Doom’s journey towards redemption and his decision to become Iron Man, which is essentially the opposite of what Marvel currently needs.
However, we anticipate that the suit from the aforementioned comic book will play a role before Doom acquires his traditional armor in Secret Wars.
Instead, it is also possible for the entire universe to simply ignore the resemblance between Doctor Doom and Tony Stark. Though this may seem strange, it is not out of the realm of possibility.
As time passes, we will continue to discover more about Downey Jr Doom. Although the wait may seem long, we will eventually reach the end of the two years! In the meantime, explore all that we currently know about The Fantastic Four release date, the timeline of X-Men movies, and the upcoming Captain America 4.
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