Recent comments from the Russo brothers about their plans forAvengers: Doomsday (2026)andRobert Downey Jr.’s involvement as Doctor Doom have drawn a lot of opinions online, and many don’t believe that the former Iron Man star is “the only person” who could play Doom in the upcoming movie.
Anthony and Joe Russo have been sharing some behind-the-scenes details about their return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe to create a “beginning” rather than an ending. While this, and several other comments, have been vague enough to leave people questioning what it all means for the MCU’s future beyondAvengers: Secret Wars, it is their comments about Downey Jr.’s return to the franchise that have been hotly debated. In a recent interview withThe Times, the pair were asked outright how they intend to bring the actor back into the story as Doctor Doom. They said:
“We can’t explain that as it’s part of the story, But there’s nobody else in the world who could play this character the way he’s about to.”
‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Plot Rumor Reveals MCU’s Most Popular - and Tragic - Character Will Play a Pivotal Role in the Multiverse’s Future
There is only one character who really has the fate of the MCU multiverse in his hands, and his time will come in ‘Avengers: Doomsday.’
Naturally, everyone has their own theories about what this means, but along with those who just want to see how the story plays out, there are many more who still don’t see why it needed to be Downey Jr.
What Are People Saying About Robert Downey Jr.’s MCU Return?
Fromthe moment Downey Jr.’s return was announced in 2024, the subject has been debated online among fans. The choice is probably one of the most polarizing in the history of the franchise – and there is a lot of competition on that score – and the latest comments by the Russos has not helped in quashing the complaints about this being the thing that will finally kill off the franchise.
On X, several fans shared their feelings on the subject, and they didn’t hold back. Among them, @kingdomcome.art said, “Nobody? I mean lotsa people can lol don’t get me wrong, I am very much excited for RDJ DrDoom, but still, you got options.” Adding to this, cupid.cosplay said, “The way Dr. Doom is such an iconic and top tier villain, this is the LAST role that should’ve had stunt casting 😵💫 could’ve had a books of doom show to really set him up, introduce the rivalry a bit more in the F4 film, then bam you have a great jumping off point for Doomsday and Secret Wars.”
@Skull101ify decided to respond with a reel of names of other actors who they believed could have stepped into the role instead of Downey Jr. They listed, “Charlie Clapham Michael Fassbender, Cillian Murphy, Jon Hamm, Nikolai Coster Waldau, Mads Mikklesen, Vigo Morrtenson, Antony Starr, Sam Witwer, the list goes on…”
Mads Mikkelsen came up in several posts, but, of course, the actor has already appeared in the MCU before, asDoctor Strangevillain Kaecillus. However, that doesn’t seem to matter too much. The thing is clearly that the Russos story forDoomsdaywill have a connection to the end of Tony’s story inAvengers: Endgame.That in itself is an issue for some who believe that this version of Doom will be a variant of Tony Stark from another universe – possibly that in whichThe Fantastic Fourwill be set.
Nelson025 said, “I want Victor von Doom, not some evil Stark variant.” Meanwhile, summing up the view of a majority of people, mrmattly wrote, “Respectfully, DOOM should’ve been a different actor and a character that has his own roots and backstory, unrelated to a “variant “ tie in. Still gonna be there opening night! 😂”
There is still some way to go beforeAvengers: Doomsdayopens in cinemas, and there will be plenty more theories to come before the truth of Downey Jr.’s return is known and how fans react to it.
