In case you’ve been off the grid recently (which, if you have, props to you!), there’s been a huge Marvel announcement: Robert Downey Jr. is coming back to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)! Fans who’ve been following the franchise for years are buzzing with excitement.
This time, Downey Jr. isn’t donning Tony Stark’s iconic red and gold Iron Man suit. Instead, he’s stepping into the role of Doctor Doom, sporting a green and metallic outfit. However, some folks think bringing Downey Jr. back feels like a desperate move, a sign that Marvel is really pushing the fan-service button hard.
Before jumping to conclusions about this casting choice, it’s worth noting that there might be more to it than meets the eye. Deniz Camp, a Marvel Comics writer, suggests that to truly understand why Downey Jr. is playing Doctor Doom, we should check out the upcoming comic book, Ultimates #4, which hits shelves on September 4th.
In this new issue, there’s a scene where a Doctor Doom mask is being inspected by four rats, each with powers similar to the Fantastic Four. Since the Fantastic Four are set to appear in Avengers: Doomsday, where Downey Jr. will return as Doom, this comic could offer some important clues about his role.
Ultimates #3 already hinted that Doctor Doom would be a major villain. Given that the Ultimates are a modernized take on the classic Avengers, this comic might provide some context for Doom’s conflict with the Avengers in Doomsday. The Ultimates have influenced many of the MCU’s characters and storylines, so this comic is definitely worth a read.
Let’s hope the MCU delivers on this promise, but we’ll only know for sure when Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters on May 1, 2026.
