Robert Downey Jr.’s return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe was anticipated, but fans were shocked to see the 59-year-old actor cast as the supervillain Doctor Doom.


The announcement was made by MCU President Kevin Feige during San Diego Comic-Con on Saturday. Feige also announced the return of the Russo Brothers (directors of Avengers: Infinity War and its sequels) to direct Secret Wars and Doomsday, the latter of which will introduce Downey Jr.'s Doom.

Who Is Doctor Doom? 


Doctor Doom is the longtime adversary of the Fantastic Four and a complex, intimidating villain who boasts mastery over both magic and science. He hides his face behind a mask after his good looks were slightly scarred, and in some comic variations, deliberately scars himself.

Doom is considered one of the most iconic villains in Marvel history, and comic book fans have been eagerly awaiting his introduction to the big screen.


While MCU fans have also been waiting for the return of Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man, the announcement of him as Doctor Doom took the fandom by surprise. Like Tony Stark, Doom is an eccentric, charismatic genius with a huge ego, but the good Doctor is meant to be a unique individual, not just another version of Iron Man.

Robert Downey Jr.’s Casting as Doctor Doom Sparks Backlash 

Somewhat confusingly, Downey Jr. is not playing Doom as a twisted multiverse variant of Tony Stark—he is Victor Von Doom, the comic-accurate character, a brand new addition to the MCU.

Online, fans reacted with bafflement and mockery.