Robert Downey Jr., the American actor best known for helping launch the Marvel Cinematic Universe with his portrayal of Tony Stark in 2008’s Iron Man, has signed on to play iconic villain Victor Von Doom in two new Avengers films from the Russo Brothers—Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars—but not everyone is happy with the highly paid thespian’s return, according to mounting criticism that has surfaced following the announcement, which Marvel Studios made during a packed panel at this weekend’s San Diego Comic-Con event. The news comes five years after the release of Avengers: Endgame, the 2019 blockbuster that ends with a funeral for Stark after the character uses the Infinity Gauntlet against Thanos, sacrificing himself and dying in the process.
Release dates:
- Avengers: Doomsday (May 2026)
- Avengers: Secret Wars (May 2027)
Critics are saying:
- “RDJ Doom is either the most creatively bankrupt decision ever or it’s going to be the coolest sh*t we’ve ever seen.”
- “It will be terrible. Imagine robert pattinson now playing the joker….absolutely no need. 1000s of actors could of played this. I’d rather Doom be a woman, that a bootleg Stark varient.”
- “Perfectly played role from start to finish over 11 years and now it’s going to get marred. Even if it’s a multiverse thing. I’d rather see a new actor that even looks remotely like RDJ play Doom.”
- “…maybe this is a cope, but this could be mostly to completely a voice role, Dr Doom wears his mask most the time and even without it he’s usually disfigured, so when the movie comes out, we might not even be able to tell it’s RDJ hadn’t they told us.”
- “Can’t wait until Chris Hemsworth is cast as Annihilus! And Benedict Cumberbatch is Blastaar! The Marvel Recycled Universe.”
An online poll that suggests fans are largely divided:
The reveal at SDCC 2024:
A recap of the event from Marvel:
Taking the stage to raucous cheers, Joe and Anthony Russo told the crowd that they jumped at the chance to direct Secret Wars, calling it “the biggest story that Marvel comics ever told” and the reason they first “fell in love with comics.”
The Russos added that there is “one very, very important character that is required to do Secret Wars justice,” setting up the introduction of the notorious Doctor Doom. A group of green cloaked figures then took the stage in Doom masks, before one of them stepped forward to reveal himself as Downey. The Hall H crowd erupted, leading a chant of “RDJ!”
“New mask, same task,” Downey said. “What can I tell you? I like playing complicated characters.”