Is Robert Downey Jr. back in the MCU for the long haul? A new rumor reveals if the role of Doctor Doom will be recast after his appearance in Avengers: Doomsday.
The reveal that Robert Downey Jr. would be playing Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday was met with immediate backlash by the internet. Many saw it cheap to reduce one of the studios’ most celebrated villains to a cameo from an actor who has long said goodbye to the universe. Yet that blow was softened by the idea that the role would be recast after Downey’s tenure for the MCU’s new Sacred Timeline.
However, it seems those hopes may have been too high. A rumor by insider DanielRPK reveals that Kevin Feige sees Robert Downey Jr. as the definitive Doctor Doom. It’s also stated that, while it is possible that the role gets recast after Avengers: Doomsday, it’s more likely than not that Downey will be seen as the true face of the character in the MCU.
How Long Will Robert Downey Jr. Play Doctor Doom?
It also seems that, while Robert Downey Jr. isn’t back in the MCU for the longhaul, his role isn’t just limited to Avengers: Doomsday. A different post by the scooper reveals that Downey’s Doctor Doom will make an appearance in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, further bolstering the idea that the character won’t be recast for a future antagonist role.
This lines up with a prior rumor regarding Spider-Man 4 which stated that Robert Downey Jr. will play a role in the film due to it filming between Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. While it’s unclear how extensive of a role Doctor Doom will play in any of these projects, it’s clear that an effort is being made to frame him as a truly terrifying force in the MCU. Which, even if the role does get recast down the line, certainly doesn’t spell a good omen for the future star’s chances.
Avengers: Doomsday is set to hit theaters in May 2026. 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!
