Is Robert Downey Jr. here to stay? The latest rumor suggests that the beloved actor may stick around as Doctor Doom after Avengers: Secret Wars.
One of the most controversial moments from Marvel Studios over the last couple of years was the reveal that Robert Downey Jr. would be playing Doctor Doom- serving as the main villain of Avengers: Doomsday and, likely, Avengers: Secret Wars. Issues with the casting are in the dozens, from reducing one of the most iconic villains in comic history to an Iron Man variant, to the fact that, unlike Doom in the comics, Downey isn’t of Romani heritage.
The one saving grace many people had for the decision that was the actor was likely gone after Avengers: Secret Wars. Robert Downey Jr. is 60 years old, and already served a decade-long tenure in the franchise. For as bitter as this medicine would be, there was at least hope that fans would be able to see a different, more comic-accurate, version of Doctor Doom within the decade.
Is Robert Downey Jr. The Main Doctor Doom?
Sadly, it seems as though fans may not have their salvation for quite some time. The latest rumor from insider DanielRPK suggests that Marvel Studios is continuing keeping Robert Downey Jr. on as Doctor Doom even after his role in Avengers: Secret Wars. This would likely cement him as the main version of Doctor Doom in the MCU, meaning a new version of the character may not see the silver screen for 15 years or more.
While a disappointing turn of events to be sure, there’s no guarantee that this rumor would come to light. In fact, the most likely possibility is that Robert Downey Jr. will appear as Doctor Doom through Avengers: Secret Wars, and then the character won’t be a major player in the franchise going forward. The possibility of Doctor Doom not appearing in the the latest Fantastic Four reboot is one most fans would have likely laughed at. But now, it’s starting to seem like the preferable option!
Avengers: Secret Wars is set to hit theaters in May 2027. Stay tuned for the latest news regarding the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more content!
