Movies News Talk
Announced to be playing Doctor Doom in the forthcoming Avengers: Doomsday is Robert Downey Jr., well-known for his legendary performance of Tony Stark in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Although this casting choice excites viewers, it also emphasizes an interesting link to the actor's early career. Long before the MCU emerged, Robert Downey Jr. actually tried for the part of Doctor Doom in the 2005 Fantastic Four film.
Director of the first Iron Man film Jon Favreau revealed in a featurette commemorating the 15th anniversary of Iron Man that Robert Downey Jr. tested for Doctor Doom in the 2005 Fantastic Four movie. Released before the MCU started, this movie was Marvel's effort to translate its First Family onto film. Julian McMahon eventually got the part despite Robert Downey Jr.'s audition.
Although Robert Downey Jr. did not land the Doctor Doom part in 2005, Jon Favreau and Kevin Feige were permanently changed by his audition. They identified a "spark" in the actor that begged more research going forward. But given Robert Downey Jr.'s past legal problems, the Marvel executives of the time were wary about casting him. This anxiety finally caused Robert Downey Jr. to miss the part, so guiding his future success as Iron Man.
For Robert Downey Jr.'s comic book movie career, the recent casting announcement for Avengers: Doom marks a complete circle. His comeback as Doctor Doom marks the MCU's commitment to bring iconic Marvel villains to the big screen, and his prior performance of the character adds mystery and thrill for viewers.
Although some viewers would object to Robert Downey Jr.'s casting as a Stark variant of Doctor Doom, it's worth considering the possibilities. Reviews of the 2005 Fantastic Four were mixed, mostly with criticism directed against Doctor Doom's performance. Robert Downey Jr.'s well-known reputation as a strong character actor combined with the MCU's dedication to comic-accurate adaptations point to him bringing a more complex and captivating Doctor Doom to the big screen.
Moreover, Robert Downey Jr.'s established MCU reputation lends still another level of mystery to his casting. Though the specifics of his comeback as Doctor Doom are yet unknown, the MCU's storytelling possibilities are much enhanced by the possibility to investigate Tony Stark and Doctor Doom's relationship.
Starring Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, and Michael Chiklis, the 2005 Fantastic Four film chronicles the tale of four astronauts endowed with superpowers upon cosmic radiation exposure. They square off against Julian McMahon's evil Doctor Doom. Although the movie was neither a critical or financial triumph, it set the stage for next Fantastic Four adaptations, including The Fantastic Four: First Steps, 2025.