Robert Downey Jr. makes shock return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Doctor Doom
Nobody saw this coming. What do you think?
#marvel #mcu #drdoom
Note: This article was first published on 29 July 2024.
Robert Downey Jr speaks onstage at the Marvel Studios Panel during 2024 Comic-Con International at San Diego Convention Center on July 27. Image: AFP
In a twist that would make even Tony Stark raise an eyebrow, Robert Downey Jr. is back in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), but not as the billionaire playboy philanthropist we’ve known. This time, he's stepping into the shoes of one of Marvel’s most notorious villains – Doctor Doom.
The announcement came straight from Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige at San Diego Comic-Con held over the weekend, leaving fans both thrilled and puzzled. Robert’s Iron Man took his last breath in 2019's Avengers: Endgame, a fitting end after a decade-long journey through 10 movies. Yet, just when we thought we'd seen the last of him in the MCU, he’s set to return as Victor Von Doom.
“New mask, same task.”
Robert Downey Jr. surprises Hall H to announce his return to the MCU as Doctor Doom. pic.twitter.com/j1SEjzse3p
Robert made a dramatic entrance at the convention, removing a Doom mask to a chorus of cheers. His social media post summed up the moment, saying: “New mask, same task.”
Doctor Doom is no small role. As one of Marvel's iconic supervillains, he’s set to appear in Avengers: Doomsday in 2026 and Avengers: Secret Wars the following year. However, the casting has sparked a flurry of debates online.
Fans are split, with theories ranging from Robert playing a variant of Doctor Doom who’s an evil multiverse version of Stark to him simply voicing the character behind Doom’s infamous mask. Gwyneth Paltrow, who portrayed Pepper Potts alongside Iron Man, seemed just as baffled, commenting on his Instagram post, "I don’t get it, are you a baddie now?"
The casting choice has also drawn criticism, with some calling it a mere fan service move. There's speculation that Marvel, after a string of less-than-stellar box office performances, might be banking on Robert’s star power to reignite audience interest. Recent movies like Captain Marvel and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania didn’t hit the mark, though Deadpool & Wolverine has recently picked up the slack.
Despite the mixed reactions, there's no denying Robert’s return has got people talking. There’s certainly merit to Marvel needing his star power, but whether their gamble pays off remains to be seen.
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