Does Anyone Actually Like RDJ as Doom?

[XtremelyBaneful]

My guess is they'll use use the multiverse to explain the resemblance ala Fox-verse Johnny Storm looking identical to Cap. That's not to say they won't use the likeness to score drama points with the 616 characters.

Here's the thing with that. From a canonical standpoint, it does not matter that Foxverse Cap & MCU (universe) cap have identical likeness. This was just the MCU (franchise) just making comedy out of it, this time using the real life history of casting to employ the comedy.

If the likeness actually mattered, then there would have been MCU (universe) characters around to react to it.

Back in 2011 when Cap's first movie came out, Disney definitely wasn't thinking that they're going to somehow incorporate the actor's previous Marvel character portrayal into his MCU appearances in some way shape or form.

But 2024, it's all a different story. It goes without saying that Robert Downey Jr. is the most bankable star of this franchise and his character is the most iconic. So if there's no meaning to Dr. Doom having identical likeness to Tony Stark it does not make this decision any better or worse to cast the same actor in this new role.

For someone like me who doesn't like this casting, I'm not saying it would be better or worse either way because any which way you look at it, it's just an indefensible decision.

 

[Frodo]

The casting isn't one I've warmed to over time , and I've been a fan of Downey since I saw him play Charlie Chaplin in Chaplin , 30 years ago.

I also supported his casting as Iron Man a generation ago .

But this one just wreaks, to me ,of desperation and laziness on Marvel Studios part .

I get that there are fans out there who may be excited by the casting, but I can't say I'm one of them.

If they were gonna introduce Doom, I really wish they had gone with a new actor to counter Pedro Pascal , but here we are.

 

[XtremelyBaneful]

The casting isn't one I've warmed to over time , and I've been a fan of Downey since I saw him play Charlie Chaplin in Chaplin , 30 years ago.

I also supported his casting as Iron Man a generation ago .

But this one just wreaks, to me ,of desperation and laziness on Marvel Studios part .

I get that there are fans out there who may be excited by the casting, but I can't say I'm one of them.

If they were gonna introduce Doom, I really wish they had gone with a new actor to counter Pedro Pascal , but here we are.

honestly, I just think this entire pivot to Dr. Doom was a terrible idea. between the surprise announcement of RDJ being cast & the launch of Deadpool 3, I didn't even realize that Disney announced that they were just pivoting to Dr. Doom being the next Avengers level threat instead of Kang.

in the words of Ashe, a lot of some mistakes get made. that's alright, that's okay. just take the direction you were going, and hire someone new. pivoting to Dr. Doom? it's gonna ruin the ongoing story being told. Casting Robert Downey Jr. as Dr. Doom? it's gonna ruin the authentic feeling of the storytelling x100.

Jonathan Majors may have ruined the image of Kang, but all they needed to do was recast the character. hell, they have recast characters in this franchise for FAR less offensive real life actions.

I also still feel like they should have just recast T'Challa too, but that's a whole nother story.

 

[AndrewGilkison]

I don't think its as easy as recasting the character of Kang. The storyline wasn't working.

 

[XtremelyBaneful]

I don't think its as easy as recasting the character of Kang. The storyline wasn't working.

Fair enough, but whatever storyline they had was eventually going to lead into Av5 subtitled Kang dynasty. Do you think dropping the storyline in favor of a different antagonist was the right direction to go in?

 

[Spider-Fan]

Even if Kang wasn't working and they had to pivot to Doom, RDJ was completely unnecessary for this. Not unless you factor in desperate motives on Marvel's part. There is simply no good reason this had to be RDJ to make a good cinematic Dr Doom. None

 

[XtremelyBaneful]

Even if Kang wasn't working and they had to pivot to Doom, RDJ was completely unnecessary for this. Not unless you factor in desperate motives on Marvel's part. There is simply no good reason this had to be RDJ to make a good cinematic Dr Doom. None

yeah that's what I meant when I said that casting him ruins the feeling of an authentic story being told

 

[Chris B]

The ideal scenario I think would've been a suggestion I saw elsewhere where Doom was planned as the final boss of the Multiverse Saga from the beginning with Kang serving as a transitionary threat between him and Thanos. Doom was probably always the stronger choice than Kang. I'm surprised that Feige didn't pick him as soon as the Fox buyout closed.

 

[Venom 1988]

The ideal scenario I think would've been a suggestion I saw elsewhere where Doom was planned as the final boss of the Multiverse Saga from the beginning with Kang serving as a transitionary threat between him and Thanos. Doom was probably always the stronger choice than Kang. I'm surprised that Feige didn't pick him as soon as the Fox buyout closed.

Feige revealed in an interview a few months ago that there were legal hurdles that prevented them from using the Fox characters right away but didn't give any details. I think it was on the official Marvel podcast.

 

[Da-Scribe]

Even if Kang wasn't working and they had to pivot to Doom, RDJ was completely unnecessary for this. Not unless you factor in desperate motives on Marvel's part. There is simply no good reason this had to be RDJ to make a good cinematic Dr Doom. None

Yup. And if they felt they needed RDJ they should’ve just used Superior Iron Man. There was no reason to use Doom this way.

 

[Spider-Fan83]

what if it's less about Doom looking like Stark (and having MCU characters recognizing him being a factor) and more about Stark looking like Doom...

and that's where the F4 connection is played

imagine (since F4 {and supposedly Doom} are coming from {the same} alt-universe ) when the F4 end up in our (the main MCU) universe they see a statue or something of Stark (a tribute to him)... and their first reaction is "OMG...Doom has conquered this universe" believing it to some shrine to him (as to them that is what Doom looks like) and they probably don't know of Stark as Iron-man in their universe

an that's how we know Doom is a variant of their universe and that their variant of him happens to look like Stark (but, isn't a variant of Tony) just an uncanny resemblance

this could be the after-credit scene... that ties it into and sets up Doomsday

 

[XtremelyBaneful]

Feige revealed in an interview a few months ago that there were legal hurdles that prevented them from using the Fox characters right away but didn't give any details. I think it was on the official Marvel podcast.

I heard a rumor that one of the conditions of Disney acquiring Fox & Marvel using Fox's Marvel characters was that if they wanted to feature characters in the MCU that already had actors in the role in the past, then they had to hire those same actors until 2025.

If that rumor is true, then it makes sense with most of the X-Men characters we've seen in the MCU so far, but not for the Fantastic 4 characters since John Krasinski never played Reed Richards before Dr. Strange 2.

 

[Venom 1988]

I heard a rumor that one of the conditions of Disney acquiring Fox & Marvel using Fox's Marvel characters was that if they wanted to feature characters in the MCU that already had actors in the role in the past, then they had to hire those same actors until 2025.

If that rumor is true, then it makes sense with most of the X-Men characters we've seen in the MCU so far, but not for the Fantastic 4 characters since John Krasinski never played Reed Richards before Dr. Strange 2.

Yeah I've heard that as well but that only did it appy to the Fox actors but the Fox producers as well. Rumors of course but I can definitely see the producers having some type of clause to be involved,no matter how big or small their role may be. Like how Jon Peters was a producer on TDK trilogy and Man of Steel. He didn't have much involvement but I know there's been reports he gave weird notes for those movies and Nolan banned him from being on set. Also a producer credit may potentially guarantee them some type of compensation as well. So I can see Marvel/Disney not wanting to have those people involved if they could help it.

 

[Spider-Fan83]

if that is how the rights worked, how did they get away with Krasinski's Reed? maybe they did first offer the role to Ioan Gruffudd an/or Miles Teller and they both had to turn it down before they could cast someone else?

 

[Spider-Fan]

if that is how the rights worked, how did they get away with Krasinski's Reed? maybe they did first offer the role to Ioan Gruffudd an/or Miles Teller and they both had to turn it down before they could cast someone else?

It might have been cause it is likely based on number of years since last use. Fan4stic was 2015, so if that had been a factor it may well have expired already.

 

[Frodo]

Yeah I've heard that as well but that only did it appy to the Fox actors but the Fox producers as well. Rumors of course but I can definitely see the producers having some type of clause to be involved,no matter how big or small their role may be. Like how Jon Peters was a producer on TDK trilogy and Man of Steel. He didn't have much involvement but I know there's been reports he gave weird notes for those movies and Nolan banned him from being on set. Also a producer credit may potentially guarantee them some type of compensation as well. So I can see Marvel/Disney not wanting to have those people involved if they could help it.

I'm guessing he was asking for a Giant Spider during The Dark Knight Rises finale. .

 

[Willie Lumpkin]

I heard a rumor that one of the conditions of Disney acquiring Fox & Marvel using Fox's Marvel characters was that if they wanted to feature characters in the MCU that already had actors in the role in the past, then they had to hire those same actors until 2025.

If that rumor is true, then it makes sense with most of the X-Men characters we've seen in the MCU so far, but not for the Fantastic 4 characters since John Krasinski never played Reed Richards before Dr. Strange 2.

I’m not saying this isn’t true and I have no inside info, but this sounds very strange.

Fox themselves recast many of these roles, and there are multiple actors who have played Fox Marvel characters.

Why would Marvel, after buying Fox, have restrictions that Fox didn’t have regarding the characters?

 

[Spider-Fan]

I’m not saying this isn’t true and I have no inside info, but this sounds very strange.

Fox themselves recast many of these roles, and there are multiple actors who have played Fox Marvel characters.

Why would Marvel, after buying Fox, have restrictions that Fox didn’t have regarding the characters?

Per the rumor it isn't cause Marvel imposed those restrictions. Fox did in their contracts with the talent, but Marvel inherits those contracts in the Fox buyout. Much like you inherit company debt when you buy them, you also inherit the employment contracts

 

[Boom]

A month later and I'm still irate about it.

 

[Willie Lumpkin]

Per the rumor it isn't cause Marvel imposed those restrictions. Fox did in their contracts with the talent, but Marvel inherits those contracts in the Fox buyout. Much like you inherit company debt when you buy them, you also inherit the employment contracts

Well if that’s the case, it must only be a couple actors/characters. I doubt Even Fox was dumb enough to lock themselves into Miles Teller for ten years.

 

[Stark Bauer]

I'm guessing he was asking for a Giant Spider during The Dark Knight Rises finale. .

The giant spider was the best thing about Wild Wild West

 

[purplewakandan]

what if it's less about Doom looking like Stark (and having MCU characters recognizing him being a factor) and more about Stark looking like Doom...

and that's where the F4 connection is played

imagine (since F4 {and supposedly Doom} are coming from {the same} alt-universe ) when the F4 end up in our (the main MCU) universe they see a statue or something of Stark (a tribute to him)... and their first reaction is "OMG...Doom has conquered this universe" believing it to some shrine to him (as to them that is what Doom looks like) and they probably don't know of Stark as Iron-man in their universe

an that's how we know Doom is a variant of their universe and that their variant of him happens to look like Stark (but, isn't a variant of Tony) just an uncanny resemblance

this could be the after-credit scene... that ties it into and sets up Doomsday

I made a freakin' account just to tell you that this may be the most BRILLIANT speculative observation I've seen on this topic across the wide, vast internet, among (of course), those who don't already know the plot.

 

[Spider-Fan]

To each their own. The Doom looking like Stark or vice versa thing is just eye rollingly stupid to me. I cannot imagine a scenario where they can implement that concept in a way I won't find stupid

 

[XtremelyBaneful]

@purplewakandan welcome to the SHH forums though

 

[Stark Bauer]

From Reddit a fan theory


MCU Theory: Robert Downey Jr. and Mads Mikkelsen Are Both Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday

In *Avengers: Doomsday*, Doctor Doom (played by Mads Mikkelsen) devises a plan to infiltrate Earth-199999 (the MCU’s main universe) by posing as Tony Stark, leveraging his advanced sorcery to perfectly mimic Stark’s appearance and mannerisms. This would explain Robert Downey Jr.’s return, not as the original Tony Stark, but as Doom in disguise.

# Doom’s Plan:

Doom's strategy revolves around exploiting Earth-199999's reliance on Tony Stark, knowing that Stark is a beloved figure and a key to Earth's defenses. By impersonating Stark, Doom weakens the Avengers from within, sowing distrust, altering technology, and leading Earth's heroes into traps designed to make them vulnerable for his greater conquest. Stark’s charisma, intellect, and leadership style are essential to make this deception believable, making Downey Jr.’s return feel natural—yet suspicious enough to fuel tension throughout the film.

As Doom poses as Stark, he begins dismantling the Avengers’ alliances, gaining access to key pieces of technology. He also manipulates global governments into false security, causing fractures in their defense coordination. However, certain heroes, particularly those close to Stark (e.g., Spider-Man, Rhodey, and Pepper Potts), begin to suspect that something is amiss.

# The Big Reveal:

In the climactic moments of *Avengers: Doomsday*, after a series of near-victories for Doom, the true nature of the threat is unveiled. Doom sheds his Tony Stark disguise (Robert Downey Jr.) to reveal his real form—Mads Mikkelsen, fully suited as Doctor Doom. This moment would be a dramatic reveal, not only shocking Earth’s heroes but also bringing about a shift in the balance of power, as the Avengers realize they’ve been fighting the wrong battle.

# The Door to Secret Wars:

The reveal not only sets up Doctor Doom as the MCU’s next overarching villain but also opens the door for Robert Downey Jr.’s true Tony Stark to return during *Avengers: Secret Wars*. In the multiversal chaos of Secret Wars, the original Tony Stark from a different timeline or universe may return, either to battle Doom or to assist the Avengers in reclaiming reality. This would allow RDJ to reprise his role, perhaps as a battle-worn or alternate-universe version of Stark, while Mikkelsen continues his reign as the MCU’s primary Doom.

This theory cleverly allows Robert Downey Jr. to make a comeback without undoing the meaningful sacrifice of Tony Stark in *Endgame*. It also ties into the larger multiverse saga by using magic as the vehicle for Doom's deception, bringing a psychological edge to the Avengers’ fight against him.

https://www.reddit.com/r/MCUTheories/s/l06tRyUSZY