In a move that reeks of desperation and fan service, Marvel Studios has announced that Robert Downey Jr. will be returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, not as Tony Stark but as the iconic villain Doctor Victor Von Doom. The surprise reveal came during Marvel’s San Diego Comic-Con panel, where Downey dramatically unmasked himself to thunderous applause from an unsuspecting audience.
While fans may be ecstatic about RDJ’s return, this decision feels like a cheap ploy to inject some much-needed star power into the floundering MCU. It’s hard not to see this as a knee-jerk reaction to the Jonathan Majors controversy, which left Marvel scrambling to replace Kang as their next big bad. Instead of taking a risk on a fresh face for one of comics’ most complex villains, they’ve opted for the safest possible choice: bringing back their biggest star in a new costume.
The Russo brothers, set to direct both Avengers: Doomsday and its sequel, Avengers: Secret Wars, hyped up the casting by claiming they needed “the greatest actor in the world” to do justice to Doctor Doom.
While Downey’s talent is undeniable (he’s coming off an Oscar win for Oppenheimer), this feels like a massive disservice to the character of Doom. The Fantastic Four‘s nemesis is one of Marvel’s richest and most nuanced villains, deserving of an actor who can disappear into the role rather than one whose star power overshadows it.
Downey himself seemed to acknowledge the recycled nature of his casting, quipping, “New mask, same task. What can I tell you? I like playing complicated characters.” But is this really a new task, or just Tony Stark with a mask and a villainous bent?
The shift from Kang to Doom as the MCU’s central villain might make sense narratively, especially with the Fantastic Four slated to appear in both upcoming Avengers films. However, it’s disappointing to see Marvel take such a safe, uninspired approach to one of their most compelling antagonists.
Since Endgame, the MCU has been struggling to recapture the magic of its Infinity Saga. I am one of the few people who held out hope that Feige and co. might see the light after their disastrous start to the Multiverse saga. However, this move clearly shows that the bold storytelling we had come to expect from Marvel is long gone, and in its place is desperation to cling to past glories.
Somewhere along the line, someone must have given Marvel the choice between quality and quantity, and they chose the latter and decided to dose it with even more quantity. It’s the only explanation for the dozen forgettable films and TV shows they’ve released between Phase 4 and 6.
I’m not blind to the fact that Downey’s return will undoubtedly put butts in seats, but I wonder if it’s worth sacrificing the integrity of a character like Doctor Doom for a short-term box office boost.
Avengers: Doomsday will make its way to theaters on May 1, 2026, while its sequel, Avengers: Secret Wars, will follow a year later, on May 7, 2027.
