When Marvel Studios determined to pivot away from the Kang the Conqueror storyline and retool the subsequent Avengers film, Kevin Feige and Co. knew they needed to make an enormous splash to get followers excited concerning the Marvel Cinematic Universe once more. Few might have predicted that splash would contain casting Robert Downey Jr. as Physician Doom, positioning the enduring villain as the brand new large dangerous of the Multiverse Saga. As thrilling as it’s to see Downey return to the MCU in Avengers: Doomsday, some can’t assist however surprise how the filmmakers are going to elucidate why Doom is performed by the identical actor who memorably introduced Tony Stark to life. Actors have performed a number of roles within the MCU earlier than, however this appears like a particular state of affairs.
Discussing Avengers: Doomsday with Empire, co-director Joe Russo mentioned there are “zero similarities” between Physician Doom and Tony Stark. It goes with out saying that Marvel followers don’t have any scarcity of reactions to the quote. On social media, many are mentioning the plain (Downey performed each characters). “Our brains are going to make the connection whether or not Marvel needs us to or not,” wrote one consumer on X. Another person identified the parallels between “I’m Doom” from the newest Doomsday particular look and “I’m Iron Man.” “That’s a lie or throw off as a result of Doom needs to guard his individuals simply as a lot Tony needed to guard earth,” wrote one other fan.
Joe Russo’s Tony Stark & Physician Doom Quote Defined
Context is essential. When Joe Russo mentioned there are “zero similarities” between Doom and Tony, he was particularly speaking about Downey’s performances as the 2 characters. In what little we’ve seen of Doom in Doomsday footage to this point, it’s secure to say Downey’s flip right here just isn’t merely a riff on the charismatic playboy billionaire persona that made Tony Stark an instantaneous fan favourite. Doom is a distinct sort of character, one which requires Downey to make the most of a distinct facet of his vary. Within the Doomsday trailers, Doom has an intimidating presence that highlights how important of a risk he’s to the multiverse.
That mentioned, whereas Stark and Doom are clearly totally different of their respective demeanors, to say there are “zero similarities” between the 2 appears like a little bit of a stretch. In a manner, Doom looks like a twisted model of Stark (past the truth that the characters are performed by the identical actor). Within the Doomsday D23 trailer, Sue Storm reveals a few of Doom’s backstory, stating that he was a form and caring man earlier than “the whole lot he cherished was taken from him.” Doom stands out as the villain of Doomsday, however he in all probability believes he’s doing the fitting factor to avoid wasting what’s left of his world — very similar to how Tony was motivated to maintain Earth secure.
Sue saying that Doom was “the neatest man in each room” feels like one other similarity to Tony, who was famend for his genius mind. Stark’s thoughts was his biggest asset, whether or not he was trapped in a cave with a field of scraps or formulating the plan for the Time Heist. Doom can also be a genius, and it’ll be attention-grabbing to see how that’s highlighted in each Doomsday and Secret Wars. He poses an incredible problem to the Avengers by his powers and talents alone, however his smarts make him an much more harmful opponent.
Clearly, the Russo brothers are conscious that Doom and Tony are performed by the identical actor. That’s a incontrovertible fact that’s not possible to run away from; Downey was the face of the MCU, taking part in Tony 10 occasions over 11 years, so his return to the franchise is an enormous deal. One other factor that’ll be attention-grabbing to see is how Doomsday addresses this. Contemplating the fan base’s relationship to Downey, it’d be very tough for the filmmakers to fake that he’s simply an actor taking part in a personality. And if Doom is seen with out his masks, characters would absolutely have a response to seeing somebody who appears similar to Tony Stark. Hopefully that is dealt with successfully, promoting audiences on why Downey was the one one who might play Doom.