Marvel's Surprise: Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday

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Avengers: Doomsday scheduled for release in May 2026, followed by Secret Wars in June 2027
Doctor Doom's rivalry with Fantastic Four may be affected by lack of mask
Robert Downey Jr. returns as Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday
Tony Stark takes on the role of Doctor Doom with two theories: becoming a masked villain or an alternate universe version
Marvel's Surprise: Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday

In a shocking revelation at San Diego Comic-Con, Marvel Studios announced that Robert Downey Jr. is returning to the MCU as Doctor Doom in an upcoming film titled Avengers: Doomsday. The announcement left fans both excited and puzzled, as it was revealed that Tony Stark would take on the role of Doctor Doom in this new venture. There are two main theories surrounding this decision, one being that Tony Stark takes a different path and becomes a masked villain, similar to Infamous Iron Man or Anthony Stark of Earth-11029. The other theory is that Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom will be an alternate universe version of Tony Stark who turns into the villainous character. This casting decision has fans speculating about how this will affect the Fantastic Four's rivalry with Doctor Doom, as Downey Jr.'s character won't be wearing a mask for most of the film. The upcoming movie is scheduled for release in May 2026, followed by Secret Wars in June 2027. With Downey Jr.'s return to the MCU, fans are eagerly anticipating what new adventures and challenges await their favorite superheroes.



Confidence

85%

Doubts
  • Is it confirmed that Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom is not an alternate universe version wearing a mask for most of the film?
  • Will Tony Stark's transformation into Doctor Doom affect the Fantastic Four's relationship with the character?

Sources

98%

  • Unique Points
    • Robert Downey Jr is returning to the superhero world after a five-year absence.
    • He will portray Dr Victor Von Doom, a well-known villain in the Marvel comics and film series.
    • Downey Jr will appear in Avengers: Doomsday, scheduled for release in May 2026.
    • Downey Jr will also feature in Secret Wars, set to be released a year later.
  • Accuracy
    • Robert Downey Jr is returning to the MCU as Doctor Doom in a new film named Avengers: Doomsday.
    • He will not be reprising his role as Iron Man.
    • Doctor Doom wears a mask most of the time, making this role mostly voicework.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

99%

  • Unique Points
    • Robert Downey Jr. is returning to the MCU as Doctor Doom in a new film named Avengers: Doomsday.
    • Doctor Doom wears a mask most of the time, making this role mostly voicework.
    • In the first option, Tony Stark from this world could have taken a different path and ended up as a masked, armored evil guy instead.
    • There is comic source material precedent for this kind of storyline, such as Infamous Iron Man and Anthony Stark of Earth-11029.
  • Accuracy
    • Doctor Doom will appear in the upcoming Fantastic Four movie, which takes place in a non-MCU universe.
    • Robert Downey Jr will return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Doctor Doom in a new Avengers movie titled Avengers: Doomsday.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

79%

  • Unique Points
    • Robert Downey Jr will return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Doctor Doom in a new Avengers movie titled Avengers: Doomsday.
    • Downey Jr's casting as Doctor Doom was announced at ComicCon and met with mixed reactions online.
    • The Russo brothers revealed that the multiverse concept allows for unlimited possibilities, suggesting Downey Jr will play a variant of Tony Stark/Iron Man as Doctor Doom.
    • Some fans believe Downey Jr’s return is a desperate move to revive the franchise and criticize it for stripping Doctor Doom of his Romani heritage.
    • Doctor Doom’s rivalry with Fantastic Four characters Reed Richards and Sue Storm may be affected by Downey Jr’s casting as he won’t wear a mask much in the film.
  • Accuracy
    • Some fans believe Downey Jr's return is a desperate move to revive the franchise and criticize it for stripping Doctor Doom of his Romani heritage.
  • Deception (30%)
    The article contains selective reporting as it only mentions the negative reactions to Robert Downey Jr's casting as Doctor Doom and ignores any positive reactions. It also uses emotional manipulation by quoting fans who are 'frustrated' or 'disappointed' with the casting decision.
    • Many Marvel fans are condemning decision to cast Robert Downey Jr as Doctor Doom.
    • It's being criticised due to the fact that Doctor Doom is of Romani descent – a detail that shapes the character's backstory in a crucial manner – and casting Downey Jr strips this away from the character.
    • One fan complained, with another adding: 'I really like Robert Downey Jr… but tbh this just seems like desperation.'
    • The less critical of Marvel fans have been left overjoyed by the actor's return to the MCU.
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (80%)
    The author expresses frustration and disapproval towards the decision to cast Robert Downey Jr as Doctor Doom in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, using phrases like 'desperate move' and 'lazy'. He also quotes fans who share similar sentiments. This indicates a bias against this casting decision.
    • I might be in the minority, and it’s not at all a diss at the greatness of RDJ whom I love, but this feels so lazy. Not saying it won’t work because it can surely do, but... I’m not excited at all.
      • It may work out but at the moment it just feels like a desperate move to get people excited again.
        • It really like Robert Downey Jr... but tbh this just seems like desperation.
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication

        81%

        • Unique Points
          • Marvel Studios is bringing back Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom in two new Avengers films: Avengers: Doomsday (2026) and Avengers: Secret Wars (2027)
          • Robert Downey Jr. made the big reveal at 2024’s San Diego Comic-Con
          • Doctor Doom will battle the Fantastic Four, the Avengers, and maybe a few X-Men
          • Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) takes up Steve Rogers’ old shield in Captain America: Brave New World (February 14, 2025)
          • Marvel Studios is rebooting Fantastic Four with Pedro Pascal as Mr. Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as The Thing
          • Blade (November 7, 2025) is still in the works with Mahershala Ali starring
          • Avengers: Doomsday will likely feature an alternate universe version of Tony Stark turning into Doctor Doom
        • Accuracy
          • Robert Downey Jr is returning to the MCU as Doctor Doom in a new film named Avengers: Doomsday.
          • He will appear in Avengers: Doomsday, scheduled for release in May 2026.
          • Downey Jr will also feature in Secret Wars, set to be released a year later.
          • Robert Downey Jr will return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Doctor Doom in at least one of the upcoming Avengers movies
        • Deception (30%)
          The article contains selective reporting as it only mentions the upcoming Marvel movies that have been officially announced and confirms the return of Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom in two new Avengers films. It does not mention any potential projects or rumors that have not been confirmed by Marvel Studios, such as a possible Blade reboot or Spider-Man 4. This selective reporting can give readers a biased and incomplete view of the current state of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
          • The only way to stop an evil genius? Avengers (and Fantastic Four), assemble!
          • Feige has been eager to do the Secret Wars storyline from the comics for awhile.
        • Fallacies (85%)
          The article contains several examples of inflammatory rhetoric and appeals to authority. It uses dramatic language to describe Robert Downey Jr.'s return as Doctor Doom, such as
          • Robert Downey Jr. made the big reveal at 2024's San Diego Comic-Con, hiding behind Doctor Doom's mask on stage before dramatically revealing his face. "Different mask, same task," he joked.
          • But will we ever see Blade? For now, those questions are left up in the air.
        • Bias (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication

        96%

        • Unique Points
          • Deadpool & Wolverine made $205m in their first weekend in North American theaters
          • Deadpool & Wolverine is looking at a global opening of over $438.3m
          • It played less like earlier X-Men or Deadpool movies and more like an Avengers pic
          • Deadpool & Wolverine is the biggest July opening ever, surpassing The Lion King ($191.8m)
          • Marvel Cinematic Universe had now topped $30bn in box-office earnings
        • Accuracy
          • They shattered the opening record for R-rated films previously held by Deadpool ($132m)
          • Robert Downey Jr will return to Marvel’s films as the villain Victor Von Doom, or Doctor Doom, in at least one of the upcoming Avengers movies
        • Deception (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Fallacies (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Bias (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication