Robert Downey Jr.‘s return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as Doctor Doom has taken the entertainment world by storm. In a recent interview, the actor confirmed that he will not be portraying a variant of the character, but rather stepping into the iconic role of the infamous villain.
Robert Downey Jr. Confirms Return as Doctor Doom
During a conversation on a recent podcast, Downey reflected on the discussions that led to his comeback as one of Marvel’s most notorious villains. He revealed that he frequently consults with Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige, and one particular dialogue focused on the idea of Downey returning as a character distinct from Tony Stark.
Downey stated, “How can we not go backwards? How can we not disappoint expectations? How can we continue to beat expectations?” He noted that Feige suggested the character Victor Von Doom, which piqued his interest. “Let’s get Victor Von Doom right,” Downey added.
This mention of Victor Von Doom appears to dispel rampant speculation about Downey reprising a variant of Tony Stark within the MCU. Fans had anticipated that this iteration of Doom might reflect aspects of Iron Man, but Downey’s remarks suggest a different direction.
Although “Avengers: Doomsday” does not yet have an official release date, Marvel Studios has announced the film is slated for May 2026. Originally set for a release on May 2, 2025, it was delayed amidst a series of changes due to industry strikes and rewrites throughout the year.
The film was previously titled “Avengers: The Kang Dynasty” but was rebranded following significant developments in the Marvel franchise. While plot details remain under wraps, the storyline is expected to center on Doom, solidifying his standing as one of the most legendary villains in comic book lore.
