Robert Downey Jr. Opens Up About His Surprising Return to Marvel as Doctor Doom
Robert Downey Jr. recently revealed what went on behind the scenes of his big comeback to Marvel Studios, this time as Doctor Doom.
At San Diego Comic-Con, Marvel fans were shocked when Marvel Studios announced Avengers: Doomsday and introduced Downey Jr. as the lead villain. After spending 11 years in the MCU as Tony Stark/Iron Man, many were surprised to see him return—not as a hero, but as one of Marvel’s most anticipated villains.
Since the initial announcement, fans have had some time to wrap their heads around this unexpected casting. However, Downey Jr. hadn’t really spoken about what led to this unique return—until now.
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Why Robert Jr. Decided to Return as Doctor Doom
In an interview on The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcast, Downey Jr. shared how Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige first brought up the idea of him returning to the MCU about a year ago.
It all started with a meeting about a new Disney Parks ride featuring Tony Stark. During the meeting, Feige casually mentioned, “It just keeps occurring to me that if you were to come back…”
Downey Jr. explained, “Kevin and I have always kept in touch. We’re pals. Same with Jon Favreau and the Russo Brothers. We’re like a little group of fellow travelers. So, we’re having this meeting, and Kevin just throws it out there, ‘What if you came back?’ My wife Susan was like, ‘Wait, come back as what?’”
Feige, always the creative thinker, didn’t want to revisit the past. He wanted to surprise fans and exceed expectations. That’s when he brought up Victor Von Doom. Downey Jr. recalled, “I looked into the character and thought, ‘Wow, this could be something really different.’ Kevin said, ‘Let’s get Doctor Doom right.’”
How the Idea Came to Life
Downey Jr. also wanted to speak with Disney CEO Bob Iger about his potential return. He said, “I asked Kevin if I could talk to Bob, and he was like, ‘About what?’ I just wanted to discuss everything. When I got to Bob’s house, I pitched the idea, and he was instantly on board. He liked it. I was blown away.”
During this time, Downey Jr. also visited the Disney Imagineering Campus, where he was amazed by what he saw. “Kevin and I went, and it’s hard to impress us, but this place was beyond anything I could have imagined. It felt like the perfect place to explore the future of entertainment.”
Can Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom Exceed Expectations?
While the announcement of Downey Jr. playing Doctor Doom was an exciting way to end Marvel’s panel at SDCC, some fans have mixed feelings.
On one hand, Tony Stark had a perfect arc during the Infinity Saga, and some worry that bringing RDJ back might take away from his character’s heroic sacrifice. On the other hand, Doctor Doom is one of Marvel’s most iconic villains, and fans are eager to see a better portrayal after the previous attempts in the Fantastic Four films.
Though some may have hoped for a fresh face to take on Doctor Doom, it’s easy to see why Feige, Iger, and the Russo Brothers wanted Downey Jr. in the role. With his award-winning talent and box office draw, he could bring something truly unique to the character.
