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Robert Downey Jr. is back in the MCU to play Doctor Doom

Posted on by Vaseline

This was an unforgettable weekend for Marvel Studios. Deadpool and Wolverine (the only Marvel Cinematic Universe film we’re getting this year) premiered in theaters last Thursday night, and before people could even take a sip of their morning coffee the next day, pretty much every single surprise cameo was revealed on Twitter, even in the trending topics section. So if you were hoping that the Merc with a Mouth would team up with the Ol’ Canucklehead on the big screen and you got spoiled because people love to spoil movies and TV shows for others so they can have a little influence on others, you have my sympathy.

Thursday also saw the return of San Diego Comic-Con, with Marvel Studios arriving in Hall H and bringing down the house as they have done many times before. Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman didn’t just show up to promote Deadpool and Wolverine Together with director/co-writer Shawn Levy, he surprised the audience by announcing that he would be screening the film in its entirety and watching it with the audience.

The biggest and most shocking news from Marvel at Comic-Con was announced yesterday, when Marvel Studios CEO Kevin Feige appeared on stage with directors Joe and Anthony Russo, who are returning to the MCU to direct the next two films. Avengers films. Not only did they reveal that the fifth Avengers movie will now be called Avengers: Doomsdaythey also announced that they have hired someone to play Doctor Doom in the MCU, and that they have hired the most talented actor they could find to play the role.

And that actor? Robert Downey Jr.

Unsurprisingly, this casting announcement not only broke the internet, but also left people deeply divided on how to feel about it. Some fans were thrilled at the thought of Doctor Doom appearing in the MCU as a sinister variation of Tony Stark, and immediately began doing the Birdman Handrub at the thought of Downey Jr. playing a powerful genius who uses his intelligence and abilities for evil rather than good. Others were disappointed and frustrated, not only seeing the casting choice as a sign of utter laziness on Feige’s part, but also hated the idea of ​​a major character like Victor Von Doom being introduced to the MCU as a variation rather than as his own person. There are countless actors (particularly actors of Romani descent who aren’t hired by Marvel to play Romani characters like Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch) who could have been hired to make their MCU debut as Doctor Doom and make the role their own. There are even numerous actors who could have been hired to replace Jonathan Majors as Kang, allowing Marvel to continue with the original plans for the character.

But Marvel and Disney bringing back Robert Downey Jr.? When he’d already made his mark by starring in the film that launched the MCU, become one of the franchise’s most beloved characters, and then went down in a blaze of glory when he broke the Infinity Gauntlet to defeat Thanos once and for all, even at the cost of his own life? Look, the guy is likable and undeniably talented, but this is also the same Robert Downey Jr. who spent much of his time during the Oppenheimer press tour where he talked about how great it was to be in a movie that pushed his acting muscles to the limit and reminded him of what he was truly capable of. Only to turn around and run back into the arms of the MCU when they showed up at his house with Scrooge McDuck’s Money Bin as an offer he couldn’t refuse. It’s crystal clear that Marvel wants to be back on top of Hollywood and get all the bragging rights that come with it. What better way to do that than by bringing back one of their best and most successful actors to not only star in the next two Avengers films, but to introduce the latest Big Bad who will make life hell for Earth’s Mightiest Heroes? But Marvel doesn’t need Downey Jr. to make that happen, and Downey Jr. (who won numerous awards, including an Oscar, for his role in Oppenheimer) doesn’t need them and their money to stay booked and busy.

Other Marvel Studios news at San Diego Comic-Con:

The cast of The Fantastic Four (Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, Ebon Moss-Bachrach) appeared on stage with the film’s director, Matt Shakman (who also directed every episode of the film). WandaVision) to discuss the film before production officially begins in the UK on Monday. According to Deadline HollywoodTest footage was shown to the audience of the alternate universe setting in the 1960s, Marvel’s First Family in space suits, a spaceship taking off into orbit, and a glimpse of Galactus. The panel also revealed that the film’s official title is now The Fantastic Four: First Stepsand the music is composed by Michael Giacchino.

For Captain America: Brave New WorldHarrison Ford (who plays President Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, replacing the late William Hurt in the role) got a little lost on stage while joining the rest of the cast, jokingly saying that he wouldn’t be discussing “any references to current history” while discussing his presidential role in the MCU. Giancarlo Esposito also revealed who he’ll be playing in the film: Seth Voelker, aka Sidewinder, president of the Serpent Society. Ruling out other theories that have been shared online about him being the Grim Reaper or GW Bridge.

Lightning bolts* I’ve also had a few moments in the spotlight. (Don’t ask me what the asterisk next to Lightning bolts* is for , as Feige is still keeping that answer under his ever-present baseball cap until the film hits theaters. At least one theory has emerged so far that the Thunderbolts are actually the Dark Avengers, and that the team’s real name will be revealed in the film. David Harbour appeared in costume as Red Guardian, but was shocked that he was the only cast member in a suit. Footage was shown of the stunt crew coordinating action scenes on set, including a fight scene between Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) and John Walker, aka U.S. Agent (Wyatt Russell). Harbour expressed his appreciation for Pugh, and Pugh gave a shout-out to the film’s stunt crew. Julia Louis-Dreyfus discussed the motivations of her character, Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, who was last seen in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever: “(She) is out for power, control and, I would say, just generally wants to kick some ass in the Marvel Universe.” In addition to Pugh, Harbour, Russell, Louis-Dreyfus, Geraldine Viswanathan (Valentina’s assistant) and Harrison Ford as President Ross, the rest of the Thunderbolts* cast includes Olga Kurylenko (Taskmaster from Black Widow), Hannah John-Kamen (Ghost from Ant-Man and the Wasp), Lewis Pullman (Sentry) and Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes, aka the Winter Soldier, who will serve as team leader.

Don’t expect to see teaser footage for these movies online anytime soon, as it’s exclusive to Comic-Con and those attendees lucky enough to see it in person. If you post unauthorized footage on Twitter or YouTube that someone uploaded from their phone, expect the Marvel Studios snipers to swing into action and tell those sites, “I don’t think so, you smarmy bitch!”, and have it taken down.

Whatever you think of what Marvel and Disney shared and discussed with audiences this past weekend, one thing is for sure: they were on a mission to get everyone talking about them, and they accomplished that mission. Not only are people talking about them, much of the conversation is positive, and people are once again excited to see what happens next in the MCU. But if news of Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom still has you shaking your head and talking nonsense about Marvel? About how they’re now banking on nostalgia to return them to their former glory, and how the DCU is starting to look a lot better in comparison? Take some solace in this tweet from actor O’Shea Jackson Jr.

Captain America: Brave New World is scheduled to hit theaters February 14, 2025followed by Lightning bolts*which opens on May 5, 2025; The Fantastic Four: First Steps opens on July 25, 2025; Sheet will hopefully open on November 7, 2025; Avengers: Doomsday opens May 1, 2026And Avengers: Secret Wars opens on May 7, 2027.