Robert Downey Jr. Creatively Invested In His Doctor Doom Role According To Joe Russo

Marvel

Mar 6

RDJ as Iron Man — Image Source: NAG Magazine

Robert Downey Jr. shocked fans earlier this year when he revealed he would be returning to the MCU, not as the heroic Iron Man, but as the villainous Doctor Doom. “New mask, same task,” he quipped. But the actor has shown great commitment to the role. Joe Russo, who will co-direct the next two Avengers films with his brother Anthony, explained, “It’s a very intense process developing the character. He’s so immersed in it. He’s so dialed in. [Downey’s] writing backstory, costume ideas … I think he just loves really rich, three-dimensional characters and I think he sees a real opportunity here with that character.”

Downey Jr. is taking the role seriously, although it may be a strange experience to exit the franchise as a self-sacrificing hero and re-enter as a complex villain. This will mark the first time that the same actor will play a main role in the proper MCU. The only comparison is Chris Evans going from his Human Torch role in Fox’s Fantastic Four, which was, incidentally, the first live-action appearance of Doctor Doom, to Captain America in the MCU. Joe gave a succinct reason for the recasting: “If we’re going to bring Victor Von Doom to the screen — he is one of the more complex characters in all of comics…then we are going to need the greatest actor in the world.” Downey Jr. will return to the MCU in Avengers: Doomsday in May 2026 and Avengers: Secret Wars in a tentative May 2027 release date.