Why Robert Downey Jr. Returning as Doctor Doom Is a Bad Idea

In one of the most surprising – and divisive – Comic-Con announcements to date, we learned that Robert Downey Jr. would be returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Doctor Doom during Marvel Studios’ presentation in Hall H earlier this month.

Recent rumors claimed that RDJ would be playing an evil version of Tony Stark, but the actor was introduced as “Victor Von Doom” and subsequent comments from the Oppenheimer star appeared to confirm that he has indeed been cast as an entirely new character.

Since the news broke, fans have been weighing the pros and cons of Downey returning to the MCU as Doctor Doom. While I fall into the “let’s wait and see” camp to some extent, I can’t help but worry that this is just a straight-up stunt casting move that could blow up in Kevin Feige’s face. special if Downey isn’t playing a Stark variant.

If Doom were to debut as an alternate universe Iron Man who’s taken a darker path, it would at least make some sense within the established rules of the Multiverse, and leave the door open for another actor to play the villain down the road. But are we supposed to just roll with the punches and accept Downey’s arrival as an entirely new character with no explanation whatsoever?

Sure, other actors have played dual roles in the MCU before, but this isn’t the same as Chris Evans taking on both the Human Torch and Captain America roles in two separate franchises, or even Gemma Chan playing Minn-Erva (with about three minutes of screen time) in Captain Marvel before taking on the role of Sersi in Eternals.

We’re talking about Robert Downey f*cking Jr. The face of the Marvel Cinematic Universe for over a decade. Yes, he’s a versatile actor and he can wear a mask like Doom for many of his scenes, but there’s no way He covers his face the entire time he’s playing this character. And even if heavy prosthetics are applied to Doom’s scarred face, does anyone think he’ll be completely unrecognizable?

If the audience can tell it’s RDJ and they don’t get a satisfying explanation for why Iron Man is suddenly back as the villain – and we’re supposed to believe the other characters aren’t paying attention – then this just isn’t going to work. And if he is under so much makeup that it’s hard to see… what’s the point?

Feige and The Russo Brothers wanting to work with Downey again… great, totally understandable. But does anyone really believe that, as great an actor as he is, RDJ is the best choice to play Doctor Doom? Many would argue that an actor of Romani descent should be cast for the character, but even if you understand why the studio would want an A-list star in the role, there are so many actors who would be better suited for this particular role.

Again, I’m perfectly willing to give these guys the benefit of the doubt and wait and see what they have in store – but based on the information I have available to me, I can’t help but think that it would have been a better idea to cast someone else as Doom, and if Robert Downey Jr. really wants to return to the MCU and (potentially) give his powerful farewell in Avengers: Endgameand then bring him back as a real Tony Stark variant for Secret Wars.

What do you think? Do you agree, or am I being too cynical here? Please leave a comment in the usual place.