Robert Downey Jr., one of Hollywood’s most loved and celebrated actors, has revealed some shocking news that will leave Marvel fans in a frenzy. In what has become a role identifiably close and dear to his heart, the Iron Man actor had just revealed that Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige offered him the meaty role of the infamous Doctor Doom in two upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films: Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars.
Robert Downey Jr explains how Kevin Feige asked him about playing Doctor Doom.
“[Feige said] how can we not go backwards, how do we not disappoint expectations, how we can continue to beat expectations… Let’s get Victor Von Doom right”
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Downey’s portrayal of the genius billionaire in the Iron Man suit has been the soul and core of the MCU for over a decade. His performance did not just launch the MCU but also set up a big benchmark for superhero interpretations in Hollywood. The idea of Downey shifting from hero to antihero is just as surprising and fascinating.
Downey shared this revelation during a candid interview on The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcast, where he also reflected on his long and varied career. He spoke of the challenges and rewards of his latest projects—the HBO limited series The Sympathizer and his recent Oscar win for his role in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer. Downey, said to be versatile in everything he gets to do, admitted taking up the role of Doctor Doom as another step in his creative journey.
Downey revealed as part of this conversation how Kevin Feige once approached him with the idea of playing Doctor Doom. Feige first rose as a person with strategic vision and creative guidance, so much so that he repeatedly tells Downey,
“How do we not go backward?” “How can we not disappoint expectations?” “How can we keep beating expectations?” and at one point, it seems like Feige said, “Let’s get Victor Von Doom right.”.
The idea excited Downey, who admitted he was initially shocked at the proposition. He had, after all, achieved iconic status, with Tony Stark becoming synonymous with him—a shift to a character like Doctor Doom would be exceedingly pointy. But as Downey explained, the further he delved into the distorted psyche of Victor Von Doom, he became more and more fascinated by the character’s intricacies and overarching potential. “I was like, wow,” Downey said, reflecting on his reaction to the character’s depth and dark charisma.
For fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the idea of Downey returning to the franchise as a supervillain provides for one of the unlikeliest scenarios. Downey himself was said to have been excited to join in and give a new dimension to the world he helped create.
“Kevin and I have always had a great relationship, and when he brought up the idea of Doctor Doom, I was intrigued. It’s such a rich character with so much potential,” added Downey.
Doctor Doom is one of Marvel’s most complicated villains—he is a genius scientist with a very tragic backstory. The fact that Downey’s work generally focuses on the deepest emotional layers of his characters would certainly make him a perfect candidate for the part.
“I love the challenge of stepping into the shoes of someone so different from Tony Stark,” he added.
Selecting Downey Jr. for the role is nothing if not bold and calculated. While it represents a fresh and dynamic shift in his career known for playing complex characters, it also brings up questions about whether or not audiences will like him in a role so completely different from what they have come to love him for.
At 59, Downey is busier than ever. As he preps for an upcoming Broadway turn inMcNeal, a play about the A.I intoxicated leading man of a pseudonymous ex-journalist, he is also knocking some final elements into place for a reboot, as both producer and star, of the Alfred Hitchcock 1958 classic Vertigo. Burger Also recently entered the entrepreneurial realm by launching a coffee brand, Happy Coffee, one which donates some of its proceeds to the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
But with his busy day, Downey somehow has not lost his grounding and he attributed it to his wife, Susan Downey, who has kept his mind aligned and stabilized. This duo also own a production company. But behind their thick and thin, theirs is a lifetime partnership that defines real strength and commitment.
“I am about being impossibly true to myself and my values,” said Downey. “Whether it’s in my acting or my personal life, I try to approach everything with honesty and integrity.
As Downey gears up to lead in as Doctor Doom, it shows he and Marvel Studios are really out there to explore new boundaries and avenues beyond fans’ wildest imaginations. With statements like such, a new chapter is set for the MCU—one that potentially lets their stars explore other dimensions of their craft while keeping the franchise equally novel and happening.
