"Stupid casting" — Why Robert Downey Jr playing Doctor Doom has upset some fans

During the San Diego Comic-Con, on July 27, 2024, it was revealed that Robert Downey Jr. will be returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, this time, the multi-faceted actor will not be reprising his role as Iron Man, who met his end in Avengers: Endgame.

Instead, Downey Jr. will be returning to the MCU in a new role as Doctor Doom, the nemesis of the Fantastic Four. He will portray this infamous character in Marvel's upcoming movie, Avengers: Doomsday, slated for a May 2026 release.

The announcement of Robert Downey Jr's association with the upcoming movie was met with a wide range of reactions. Some fans were happy to see him returning to the MCU, while others were puzzled about how the transition from Iron Man to Doctor Doom would play out in the films. There were also those who were angry, believing that Marvel was engaging in blatant fan service.

Fans took to X to express their divided opinions. Many couldn't make sense of Robert Downey Jr.'s new role. One X user reacting to the announcement wrote:

"Stupid casting. Can he do it? Yeah. So can an over dozen other actors - probably better. This is desperate."

Others shared similar sentiments online:

"I’m surprised so many people are hyped honestly, it feels like a cash grab. I could see this having potential as long as he keeps his mask on the entire time. Otherwise I feel like he would look too like Tony Stark and that’s all I would be able to think about," another user said.

"Iron man is my favourite character and i loved rdj playing him with every bone in my body, i grew up with his films and replayed them countless times, i am afraid they will ruin both iron mans and rdjs legacy at marvel with this casting and i dont want that, shouldve let him rest," another wrote.

Many people on the platform expressed their disappointment regarding Robert Downey Jr.'s casting as Doctor Doom. The consensus was that someone else should have been cast to honor both Iron Man and Doctor Doom's characters.

"It’s because I just want Dr doom. I want one of the coolest comic characters of all time to finally get a good adaption. I don’t want him to be a Tony variant," one user on X wrote.

"It’s incredibly basic and boring. Give me something original, not just variants," another user tweeted.

"People are probably over the Multiverse thing. I think other people wanted to see MCU grow with new actors. I'm one of them. Someone else should be playing Dr. Doom. To me this is just safe casting and to lure back people who checked out of the MCU after Endgame," another person reacted.

That being said, some people were also extremely elated with Robert Downey Jr.'s return to the franchise.

"Fact that some ppl are upset about this is crazy," one X user wrote.

"I know a lot of people are mad about RDJ as Dr Doom, but honestly I'm super hyped. Doom is one of my top 15 Marvel characters, I'm happy he's being brought to the MCU, and RDJ is a great actor and he'll do amazing in the role, Stark variant or Victor. I'm really excited for this," another user commented.

"I think the one who saved the universe being the one who threatens to destroy it is a good storyline for the MCU. People like Pepper, Peter, Happy, and Bruce seeing Tony (Dr. Doom) is gonna be a very emotional battle for them all," one person reacted.

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Robert Downey Jr. to be a part of Avengers: Secret Wars

On July 27, 2024, Marvel fans at the San Diego Comic-Con were in for a double surprise as it was revealed that Robert Downey Jr. would not be a part of just one, but two upcoming Marvel projects.

Downey Jr. will be portraying Doctor Doom in both Avengers: Doomsday, slated for a May 2026 release. and Avengers: Secret Wars, slated for a May 2027 release.

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In other news, the first trailer for Thunderbolts was also released at the San Diego Comic-Con this year.