While at San Diego Comic-Con on July 25-28, Robert Downey Jr., known famously as Iron Man, announced he will be playing Doctor Doom in the upcoming movie “Avengers: Doomsday.” This comes almost five years after letting the Iron Man role go. “Avengers: Doomsday” is set to be released around May 1, 2026, although it’s not an unlikely possibility to be set back.
Warren Central junior Mainor Martinez-Castillo said he isn’t completely sure how he feels about Downey Jr. playing this character because he wanted Cillian Murphy or a Balkan actor in the role, but he still feels it would be “so interesting.”
“Also, maybe it’s because I’ve seen him as Iron Man for so long, but he doesn’t look menacing at all, but that is what the mask is for,” Martinez-Castillo said.
Doctor Doom and Iron Man surprisingly have a connected past where they swap bodies. In the comic “Iron Man: Demon In An Armor,” Doom and Tony Stark of Earth-11029 switch minds. In the comic, Victor von Doom and Tony Stark are good friends, and Doom creates a machine that swaps their minds, causing Doom to be walking around in Stark’s body.
In another comic “Infamous Iron Man,” Victor von Doom of Earth-616 becomes Iron Man after Tony Stark’s fate during the second Civil War. Attempting to turn over a new leaf, he creates a suit that still resembles Doom’s outfit, and he struggles to become a force of good.
Critics have voiced opinions on the movie and how they think it’s going to play out. A lot of people, like Martinez-Castillo, are saying Marvel just recycled an American actor when Cillian Murphy would have been the perfect casting.
In the past, Doctor Doom has been played by Julian McMahon in 2005’s “Fantastic Four.” Many critics like “Collider” Staff writer Liam Gaughan feel as though his portrayal of Doctor Doom added “charm and menace” to the character.
“Despite flaws, McMahon’s dark charisma and evil intentions in the films honored Doctor Doom’s comic book legacy,” Gaughan said.
In 2015, Toby Kebell played Doctor Doom in “Fantastic Four.” Kebell himself has said he knows his portrayal of Doctor Doom was “terrible,” but he knows he would likely never be called to play the role again, although Kebell does hope they do the character and storyline justice.
Although we don’t know what “Avengers: Doomsday” is going to be about yet, we do know the cast for a new “Fantastic Four” movie coming out in 2025 will be a part of this fifth movie for the Avengers, all while continuing the storyline from past “Avengers” movies. We also know another follow-up film is already set to be released May 7, 2027, called “Avengers: Secret Wars.”