Robert Downey Jr. Is Dr. Doom / Victor Von Doom - "Same task, new mask"

[Pennywise]

I could see Doom being a variant of Stark but with a different name like Victor Timely being a Kang variant in Loki.

Still not a fan of this casting, and the pay is ridiculous.

 

[Ironfan72]

Oh damn, if it's true he's not playing a Stark variant as well then this feels like a huge waste of money.

Exactly, it was rather disappointing him saying he is not playing Stark in anyway, so for me i have zero interest in this, it would have been IMO a better story to to bring him back as Stark, i dont even care if he plays Iron man, his death while serving a story purpose made no sense in the Marvel continuity, again, not trying to be a fanboy here, everyone from the infinity saga is moving on, but with reports Chris Evans has resigned to play Rogers, and now Downey as Doom, clearly Marvel isnt done with these characters, but for me, its a giant middle finger to the Iron Man fans and while i assume he will do well as Doom, it simply doesnt make sense, i get with the multiverse they can do what they want and maybe there are plans to bring in a new actor to play Stark and pass the torch so to speak, but far to many fans who literally grew up with him as Stark will not be as open to this as others

 

[Iceman]

Exactly, it was rather disappointing him saying he is not playing Stark in anyway, so for me i have zero interest in this, it would have been IMO a better story to to bring him back as Stark, i dont even care if he plays Iron man, his death while serving a story purpose made no sense in the Marvel continuity, again, not trying to be a fanboy here, everyone from the infinity saga is moving on, but with reports Chris Evans has resigned to play Rogers, and now Downey as Doom, clearly Marvel isnt done with these characters, but for me, its a giant middle finger to the Iron Man fans and while i assume he will do well as Doom, it simply doesnt make sense, i get with the multiverse they can do what they want and maybe there are plans to bring in a new actor to play Stark and pass the torch so to speak, but far to many fans who literally grew up with him as Stark will not be as open to this as others

I don't understand why they needed to pay him quite that much - it's not like he's earning that anywhere else. As Stark he is worth a lot - significantly less but a lot - as Doom he's worth nowhere near this amount and even with a good performance I would have preferred to see someone new (especially someone who can hang around in the role long term). I'm more open to a new Stark or new Iron Man down the road though.

 

[Spider-Fan]

I don't understand why they needed to pay him quite that much - it's not like he's earning that anywhere else. As Stark he is worth a lot - significantly less but a lot - as Doom he's worth nowhere near this amount and even with a good performance I would have preferred to see someone new (especially someone who can hang around in the role long term). I'm more open to a new Stark or new Iron Man down the road though.

They needed to pay him that much cause they were desperate

 

[Ironfan72]

I don't understand why they needed to pay him quite that much - it's not like he's earning that anywhere else. As Stark he is worth a lot - significantly less but a lot - as Doom he's worth nowhere near this amount and even with a good performance I would have preferred to see someone new (especially someone who can hang around in the role long term). I'm more open to a new Stark or new Iron Man down the road though.

Thats my point to, I like RDJ, Stan Lee even said RDJ was born to play Stark, RDJ said recently playing Tony is his favorite, it runs in his vains, so why spend essentially $200 million on a guy who while talented already is identified as Stark and says Tony is him, how many great actors are out their now that would be an awesome Doom, several, and alot cheaper and would be around for awhile, if Marvel is this desperate, how will they make the next phase work, the X-Men and fanastic four are supposed to be the headliners of the next phase of the MCU, if this saga has been so bad they need to lean heavily on RDJ as Doom and not Stark then that seems like a failure already.
If they recast all the Avengers, i dont look for any kind of solo films or even avenger films, them showing up in Fantastic Four of X-men films is more what i would imagine audiances would want, though show of hands of people who wanted RDJ to share the screen as Stark with Hugh Jackmans wolverine or Ryan Rynolds Deadpool or even working with Reed Richards.

 

[Iceman]

Thats my point to, I like RDJ, Stan Lee even said RDJ was born to play Stark, RDJ said recently playing Tony is his favorite, it runs in his vains, so why spend essentially $200 million on a guy who while talented already is identified as Stark and says Tony is him, how many great actors are out their now that would be an awesome Doom, several, and alot cheaper and would be around for awhile, if Marvel is this desperate, how will they make the next phase work, the X-Men and fanastic four are supposed to be the headliners of the next phase of the MCU, if this saga has been so bad they need to lean heavily on RDJ as Doom and not Stark then that seems like a failure already.
If they recast all the Avengers, i dont look for any kind of solo films or even avenger films, them showing up in Fantastic Four of X-men films is more what i would imagine audiances would want, though show of hands of people who wanted RDJ to share the screen as Stark with Hugh Jackmans wolverine or Ryan Rynolds Deadpool or even working with Reed Richards.

Oh did Stan say that before he was cast or after he'd seen him in Iron Man? Cool to hear.

I wouldn't mind Marvel paying a RDJ a ton of money to come back as a Stark variant and I had thought that was the plan (in addition to Doom, the 2 roles combined might have led to the money getting that silly). This way also they will lose 2 big villains in Kang and Doom pretty soon, and where it will leave F4 without their best villain?

Oh yes, of course, despite Stark's death being very well done and a massively important part of the MCU, there were endless discussions of the day we might get RDJ Stark, Cap, Spidey, Wolverine, Reed etc all together.

 

[Ironfan72]

Oh did Stan say that before he was cast or after he'd seen him in Iron Man? Cool to hear.

I wouldn't mind Marvel paying a RDJ a ton of money to come back as a Stark variant and I had thought that was the plan (in addition to Doom, the 2 roles combined might have led to the money getting that silly). This way also they will lose 2 big villains in Kang and Doom pretty soon, and where it will leave F4 without their best villain?

Oh yes, of course, despite Stark's death being very well done and a massively important part of the MCU, there were endless discussions of the day we might get RDJ Stark, Cap, Spidey, Wolverine, Reed etc all together.

They were at a San Diego Comic Con, did he say it before the first film or after i need to look it up as Robert immediatly hugged Stan when hesaid it, so my guess was before the first film, but Stan was on set a few times and watch RDJ acting.
I also agree if your paying RDJ that kind of money its got to be for more than one role in a couple films, fans seem from what i have seen not just on here but multiple social media platforms want him back as Stark of some kind, $200 million if crazy money for 2 films, at best for one role, listen i like RDJ and loved him as stark, but not for that kind of money, if they are wanting to give him some kind of acting challenge to not only bring Doom to the big screen and make tens years go away, but also some how have him resurrecting Tony Stark that would be worth the money and get people in the theaters.

 

[Iceman]

They were at a San Diego Comic Con, did he say it before the first film or after i need to look it up as Robert immediatly hugged Stan when hesaid it, so my guess was before the first film, but Stan was on set a few times and watch RDJ acting.
I also agree if your paying RDJ that kind of money its got to be for more than one role in a couple films, fans seem from what i have seen not just on here but multiple social media platforms want him back as Stark of some kind, $200 million if crazy money for 2 films, at best for one role, listen i like RDJ and loved him as stark, but not for that kind of money, if they are wanting to give him some kind of acting challenge to not only bring Doom to the big screen and make tens years go away, but also some how have him resurrecting Tony Stark that would be worth the money and get people in the theaters.

Yep, it's the only reason I wasn't more initially down on the news as I'd suspected they'd roped him in for a Stark variant return and the huge waves that would cause (even if not revealing till later) as well as the Doom role. If there is no RDJ Stark variant then this is super-dumb all round.

 

[Spider-Fan]

Even if he ends up being a Stark variant, it is dumb either way

 

[Ironfan72]

Yep, it's the only reason I wasn't more initially down on the news as I'd suspected they'd roped him in for a Stark variant return and the huge waves that would cause (even if not revealing till later) as well as the Doom role. If there is no RDJ Stark variant then this is super-dumb all round.

I understand not everyone will feel that way, and that is fine, i respect those who will be ok with him as a Doom from another earth that looks and talks just like 616 Stark, maybe it does make for a WTF moment when the Avengers some how see his face and immediately think its Stark, but is that moment worth $200 million, for them to think its stark and have to battle him, they could have done the same thing with a stark varient, and Doom is to big a villain to just throw away for a gotcha moment, he is the guy that would be the main villain for an entire saga, not a couple films leading up to the next phase, idk, again, i am trying to be objective here but for the money they spent for what could be a few emotional moments with Tom Hollands Spider man or Thor doesnt make sense.

 

[lenz]

I just hope I love First Steps. If its all going to end in 2027, at least let the team get a great film before it happens.

 

[Iceman]

I just hope I love First Steps. If its all going to end in 2027, at least let the team get a great film before it happens.

Doom is a huge part of the F4, especially Reed, but I can love F4 on film even without Doom or great villains. I’m just hoping they get all of the individual F4 members right and I’ll love seeing them in the MCU (including in team up films and guest cameos).

 

[Spider-Fan]

Doom is a huge part of the F4, especially Reed, but I can love F4 on film even without Doom or great villains. I’m just hoping they get all of the individual F4 members right and I’ll love seeing them in the MCU (including in team up films and guest cameos).

To a degree, but having a FF trilogy or beyond loses quite a lot without Doom. Imagine a Batman series where you never see the Joker. Now imagine if the only existing movies Joker was in were total trash or a Suicide Squad movie. That's a big hole in the franchise, IMO.

 

[Ironfan72]

Even if he ends up being a Stark variant, it is dumb either way

I can see if this was Marvels work around to bring back the lost avengers in Iron Man, Captain America and Black widow, but based off comments for RDJ himself, its not, i have had confidence in Marvel, even when they are supposed to be down right now, they are still making good movies and series, but this feels like as been said, an act of desperation that really wasnt necessary, i would rather never see Iron Man again (which i assumed was the plan and was at peace with that) than bring the guy back who was Iron Man for 10 years and make him a completely different guy and a villain, and then pay him an obsene amount of money

 

[Spider-Fan]

I can see if this was Marvels work around to bring back the lost avengers in Iron Man, Captain America and Black widow, but based off comments for RDJ himself, its not, i have had confidence in Marvel, even when they are supposed to be down right now, they are still making good movies and series, but this feels like as been said, an act of desperation that really wasnt necessary, i would rather never see Iron Man again (which i assumed was the plan and was at peace with that) than bring the guy back who was Iron Man for 10 years and make him a completely different guy and a villain, and then pay him an obsene amount of money

I still assume an Iron Man variant pops up in the final battle. But this move wastes Doctor Doom for no good story based reason. Just to satisfy some fans who were whining about Kang, so now we get rushed Doctor Doom who is just Iron Man effectively with an accent

 

[Iceman]

To a degree, but having a FF trilogy or beyond loses quite a lot without Doom. Imagine a Batman series where you never see the Joker. Now imagine if the only existing movies Joker was in were total trash or a Suicide Squad movie. That's a big hole in the franchise, IMO.

Very true. I’d take a new Batman trilogy without Joker now, but that’s only because we’ve had him done so well so many times. An F4 trilogy without at least one Doom appearance where he’s the main villain is never going to get close to max potential.

I guess I’m just trying to make the best of what’s left. There is something more dynamic to the F4 than a single hero to me - I would enjoy just seeing them interact (assuming they are portrayed well and have good chemistry) and go on almost meaningless missions and exploration more so than I would enjoy a solo hero interacting with their supporting characters.

 

[Spider-Fan]

Very true. I’d take a new Batman trilogy without Joker now, but that’s only because we’ve had him done so well so many times. An F4 trilogy without at least one Doom appearance where he’s the main villain is never going to get close to max potential.

I guess I’m just trying to make the best of what’s left. There is something more dynamic to the F4 than a single hero to me - I would enjoy just seeing them interact (assuming they are portrayed well and have good chemistry) and go on almost meaningless missions and exploration more so than I would enjoy a solo hero interacting with their supporting characters.

I love the characters and all, but I cannot get past not getting a good FF vs Doom movie. Red Ghost or Psycho-Man or whoever else are great, but they don't fill that void. It's a giant black eye on the entire venture to me

 

[Iceman]

I still assume an Iron Man variant pops up in the final battle. But this move wastes Doctor Doom for no good story based reason. Just to satisfy some fans who were whining about Kang, so now we get rushed Doctor Doom who is just Iron Man effectively with an accent

Double bummer for me as I wanted Kang done properly. Feels like 2 very important Marvel villains aren’t going to come close to seeing their potential (even if RDJ gives a great performance). Doom isn’t a 2 and done villain like the others if you want to get the most out of him.

 

[Boom]

$100 million base salary PLUS incentives is grossly irresponsible on Disney's part. Think of the number of projects that this money could have financed, and the number of people those projects could have employed. That much money sunk into gimmick casting that this character simply did NOT need.

I'm almost tempted to skip these two Avengers movies in theaters out of principle. They could've hired another actor at a literal fraction of this cost, and simply put trust in the character's popularity to bring people to theaters. Feige is not beating the "desperation" allegations here.

 

[Iceman]

I love the characters and all, but I cannot get past not getting a good FF vs Doom movie. Red Ghost or Psycho-Man or whoever else are great, but they don't fill that void. It's a giant black eye on the entire venture to me

The only area I’m more amenable to it is that I always want the heroes done well ahead of the villains. In this case, yes, it’s arguably Marvel’s best villain (Magneto also around that level for me) so it’s a huge loss. But I wouldn’t take a great Doom and an only ok F4.

But yeah, I totally get why you’re so disappointed without much optimism on the horizon on the Doom front. It's bad news and that long term slowly built up Doom seems dead for now, as does a one off all time classic F4 vs Doom film.

 

[OrbOfConfusion]

Didn't Disney just burn a ton of money on The Acolyte? I know RDJ is expensive, more so now that the man has an Oscar, but regardless of the pay day, I wouldn't be surprised if he got more cash than the stars of Fantastic Four- should he appear in that. Since it's already given that he might, I would not be surprised if he got top billing in the credits- kind of like how Arnold did in Batman and Robin- despite potentially only being in some sort of stinger.

 

[Spider-Fan]

The only area I’m more amenable to it is that I always want the heroes done well ahead of the villains. In this case, yes, it’s arguably Marvel’s best villain (Magneto also around that level for me) so it’s a huge loss. But I wouldn’t take a great Doom and an only ok F4.

But yeah, I totally get why you’re so disappointed without much optimism on the horizon on the Doom front. It's bad news and that long term slowly built up Doom seems dead for now, as does a one off all time classic F4 vs Doom film.

But the other side of that coin is Doom isn't just the best FF villain cause he himself is awesome. It's also how he compliments the FF as characters. So by definition, you're not putting out the best versions of the characters if you're excluding from their film series the character best suited to bring out the best in them. Yeah, you can make great FF movies with like Dragon Man and such, but a guy like Doom makes doing a great FF film easier.

 

[AndrewGilkison]

Of course Feige is desperate. Kang as the big bad wasn't working out. Movies like The Marvels were outright flopping. Disney Plus shows like Secret Invasion damaged the Marvel brand.

Doom and the casting of him is absolutely a pivot. Downey talking about being in talks for this a year ago lines up with the timeline of Majors arrest and the critical drumming that Ant-Man QuantumMania received.

 

[Arachnerd]

Kang wasn't working out because, surprise surprise, Quantumania basically eliminated any shred of seriousness he could have had as a villain for this saga that Loki tried so meticulously to build. Pivoting away from him to rush Doom was always going to be a horrible decision, yet here we are with it being a reality. Worse than that, specifically bringing back RDJ to play him.

What's weird is, I might be misremembering this, but isn't there a Tony Stark variant that's a Kang somewhere in the comic? That, or the Superior Iron Man route would have made miles more sense than this.

Instead, Doom is getting his character sacrificed on the big screen for the third (arguably fourth) time to make way for awful characterization and shameless nostalgia pandering.

 

[Spider-Fan]

Kang wasn't working out because, surprise surprise, Quantumania basically eliminated any shred of seriousness he could have had as a villain for this saga that Loki tried so meticulously to build. Pivoting away from him to rush Doom was always going to be a horrible decision, yet here we are with it being a reality. Worse than that, specifically bringing back RDJ to play him.

What's weird is, I might be misremembering this, but isn't there a Tony Stark variant that's a Kang somewhere in the comic? That, or the Superior Iron Man route would have made miles more sense than this.

Instead, Doom is getting his character sacrificed on the big screen for the third (arguably fourth) time to make way for awful characterization and shameless nostalgia pandering.

You're thinking of Iron Lad is a Kang