Casting Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom is a desperate move that can backfire on Marvel

As a longtime comic book fan and moviegoer, I’ve seen my fair share of exciting and disappointing casting choices. But none have left me as perplexed and concerned as Robert Downey Jr.’s recent announcement that he will be playing Doom in the upcoming “Avengers: Doomsday.”

Enthusiasts of Marvel Studios are abuzz with the announcement that Robert Downey Jr. will reprise his role in the MCU, portraying the notorious villain Doctor Doom. However, this decision could potentially harm the brand.

In the past year, Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has shifted its direction. Initially, in early 2023, the schedule called for Phase 5 to commence, with the menace of time-traveling despot Kang (Jonathan Majors) planning to rule over the universe. This would have culminated in the grand spectacle of “Avengers: The Kang Dynasty” in 2025.

An early sign of trouble for this project arose when “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” featuring Kang, introduced by Kang in a major way, underperformed at the box office and left audiences unimpressed with his portrayal as a significant threat within the MCU. Subsequently, Majors was arrested on charges of assault, resulting in his removal from the role. Instead of recasting, Marvel determined that the concept of Kang wasn’t fitting and abandoned the plan altogether.

I was looking forward to the release of “The Marvels” and the continuation of Phase 5 in Hollywood. However, the box office failure of “The Marvels” and the industry strikes in 2023 brought production to a halt. This unexpected pause gave Marvel some much-needed time to regroup. At the 2024 San Diego Comic Con, they unveiled their plans – the conclusion of Phase 5 would be none other than “Avengers: Doomsday”.

It’s clear that Doctor Victor Von Doom, the armor-clad ruler of a small country, was the real antagonist we should have expected all along. Known for his frequent clashes with heroes across the Marvel Universe, particularly the Fantastic Four, Doctor Doom is a figure deserving of iconic status.

As a long-time fan of Marvel Comics and the MCU, I must admit that the news about Robert Downey Jr. being cast as Doom took me by surprise. I mean, who would have thought that the man who brought Iron Man to life on the big screen would be stepping into the villain’s shoes? It’s an intriguing twist, no doubt, but as someone who has followed RDJ’s career closely, I can’t help but feel a pang of concern.

Doom should not be Plan B

The problem lies in the fact that if Marvel had intended to include Doom from the start, instead of focusing on Kang, it would have been acceptable. However, since Doom was an unexpected addition to the mix, it creates complexity and confusion as Marvel shifts its attention away from the established setup for Kang toward Doom.

Doom, portrayed as the main antagonist, possesses all the necessary elements of an engaging comic book film villain – ruling over a nation, an army of robotic replicas, and intricate plotting. However, the character has encountered challenges in previous movie adaptations, most notably Julian McMahon’s portrayal in “Fantastic Four” (2005). Given that there are currently no available scripts and shooting is scheduled to commence by year’s end, it’s crucial to carefully craft this characterization.

Based on my years of experience in the production industry, last-minute changes are rarely beneficial. They often lead to unnecessary stress and complications. In this specific case, had it not been for Majors’ arrest, we wouldn’t have Doom as our Marvel saga at all. The fact that Doom is the second choice seems unfair and speaks volumes about the numerous adjustments they had to make. As someone who has seen countless productions derailed by unexpected obstacles, I can only imagine the chaos this must have caused.

It just reeks of desperation and that’s added on by the casting. 

Robert Downey Jr is the wrong choice for Doom

Robert Downey Jr. is undeniably an exceptional actor, as demonstrated by his illustrious career that triumphed over numerous personal challenges and ultimately led him to win an Oscar for “Oppenheimer.” Nevertheless, being incredibly talented does not automatically make one the perfect fit for every role.

I’ve had the pleasure of examining Downey’s resume, and I must say, his acting chops are quite impressive. However, what sets him apart is the unique blend of seriousness and light-heartedness in all his performances. His portrayal of Sherlock Holmes is a testament to this versatility, but there’s a reason why he’s no stranger to comedies – it’s in his blood.

Doom is intended to be a complex character who alternates between grand, almost over-the-top declarations and long periods of ominous silence. He frequently speaks in the first person, meticulously documenting every statement he makes, and genuinely believes that his words hold absolute power. Furthermore, just looking at him donned in armor instills the same dread as when Star Wars characters face Darth Vader.

Despite being wicked, Doom possesses an unyielding code of honor. This unexpected nobility adds depth to his character and makes him even more captivating. He remains a figure whose name strikes terror and awe. It’s challenging to envision Robert Downey Jr. delivering powerful lines like “Richards!” or other iconic Doom scenes due to his lack of the necessary gravitas for the role.

The European background of the character adds to his regal demeanor and makes fans unexpectedly sympathize with him. Downey is capable of portraying this, but his over-the-top performances in movies like “Doolittle” don’t align with the darker, intimidating persona required for Doom. Actors such as Cillian Murphy or Javier Bardem would be better suited to bring out Doom’s sinister aspects – his scheming and truly terrifying presence that leaves underlings quaking in fear and even unnerves powerful figures like Thor. It’s hard to imagine Downey’s past acting roles embodying this menacing persona.

Certainly, there’s a significant issue to address concerning this acting choice: how viewers will reconcile it with Downey’s iconic Marvel Cinematic Universe character.

How can fans accept Iron Man as Doom?

An intriguing interpretation suggests that the contrasting roles of Doom and Stark in the comics are not without reason. These two characters can be seen as opposing sides, both armed with genius intellects and inflated egos, driven by a desire to shape the world. While Tony Stark is generally considered a hero, Doom leans towards being an almost entirely evil force.

In the world of comics, there have been tales depicting Doom’s attempts to emulate Iron Man. However, transitioning this concept to movies poses a unique challenge. Marvel has successfully re-casted actors like Gemma Chan, who portrayed Minn-Erva in “Captain Marvel” and later Sersi in “The Eternals.” Yet, Doom’s transformation into an Iron Man-like character in films remains uncharted territory.

If Downey Jr hadn’t been a part of the MCU prior to being cast as Doom, some might question his suitability for the role. However, his past involvement in the Marvel universe poses a significant challenge. Given that audiences are already accustomed to seeing him portray Tony Stark, it may be challenging for them to separate the two characters. Wearing the mask will help, but given that everyone is aware of who’s beneath it, and with possible flashbacks revealing Doom before he donned the armor, viewers might only visualize Tony without his goatee.

In the 1990s, producers could have thought about having Sean Connery play a Bond villain instead of James Bond. This idea might have been intriguing, but fans would likely compare the old 007 with the new one. And when Connery attempted this role in “The Avengers” (based on the classic British TV series) in 1998, the results weren’t impressive to say the least.

In the upcoming “Fantastic Four: First Steps,” Doom might make his entrance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) through the FF, given that it is set in an alternative 1960s. This would allow for Downey’s resemblance to Tony Stark to be explained away as a cosmic coincidence, though someone may mention it as a nod. However, the MCU typically avoids fourth-wall-breaking like Deadpool does.

It wouldn’t be ideal if Tony, in this alternate reality, became the evil version of Doom. This goes against the impressive departure of his character in “Endgame,” which seemed like a fitting farewell for Downey. Given his remarkable exit and Oscar win, one would assume Downey would opt for smaller projects instead of returning to the MCU as Doom.

Downey may be drawn to the gigantic paycheck, but there’s also the allure of transforming Tony into Doom, which aligns with his pattern of taking on risky roles. However, it wasn’t necessary for the producers to choose him over other actors who could have delivered an equally impressive performance. Unfortunately, this decision creates an unpleasant impression.

This reeks of desperation

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has faced numerous challenges. Initially, they planned to focus on Black Panther, but Chadwick Boseman’s untimely passing significantly impacted their plans. Adding to the woes was the COVID-19 pandemic that disrupted productions. Furthermore, they expanded their projects to include Disney+ TV shows and dealt with the Major scandal, which forced them to change direction. To top it off, the box office revenue since the release of “Endgame” has seen a steep decrease.

At ComicCon, they wanted to regain the spotlight after a lull, just like everyone else there. And they did so with an extravagant unveiling: Downey appearing in a hood, only to take it off, revealing a menacing Doom-like costume. The spectacle was as over-the-top as any pro wrestling stunt and seemed geared more towards generating buzz for the moment rather than the film itself.

As a longtime fan of Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), I have to express my disappointment with their recent announcement about Robert Downey Jr.’s return as Iron Man in a potential new project. To me, it feels like a desperate move by Marvel Studios, attempting to grab headlines and reignite interest among fans who may have grown weary of the same old faces.

It’s possible that our concerns are unfounded. Marvel has a history of unexpected choices for their roles that have paid off (such as Chris Evans as Captain America and Chris Pratt as Star-Lord). Downey Jr’s talent is undeniable, so there’s a chance he could win over skeptics as Doom. Nevertheless, there are valid reasons for concern. The sudden change from him portraying Iron Man to this seemingly last-minute decision for fan appeal instead of a well-thought-out plan leaves room for doubt. This casting may be detrimental to the MCU’s success.

Avengers: Doomsday premieres May 2026.

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2024-07-29 16:58