The Russos Say Doctor Doom Has “Zero Similarities” to Iron Man as AVENGERS ENDGAME: ENCORE Heads to Disney+
If you’ve been convinced that Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom is secretly some twisted version of Tony Stark, the Russo Brothers have thrown a pretty big wrench into that theory.
Joe Russo and Anthony Russo have addressed the speculation surrounding Downey’s return to the MCU in Avengers: Doomsday, making it clear that fans shouldn’t expect Victor Von Doom to have some hidden connection to Iron Man.
While speaking with Empire Magazine about the upcoming Avengers movie, the Russos said there are "zero similarities" between Doctor Doom and Iron Man.
That’s a pretty straightforward answer, especially considering how much speculation has surrounded Downey’s casting since Marvel Studios revealed he would play Doom.
One of the biggest theories has been that Downey isn’t really playing the traditional Victor Von Doom, but rather a Tony Stark Variant who somehow becomes Doctor Doom. The Russos’ comments point in a very different direction.
It sounds like Downey is simply playing Victor Von Doom as a completely new MCU character, with his previous role as Tony Stark having no bearing on Doom’s identity, which is what I initially suspected.
Marvel has used actors in multiple roles before, but Downey’s situation obviously carries a lot more baggage considering Iron Man was the face of the MCU for more than a decade.
That’s also what makes the casting so damn interesting. Marvel could have chosen any number of talented actors to bring Doctor Doom to life. Instead, they brought back the guy audiences watched save the universe in Avengers: Endgame and cast him as one of Marvel’s greatest villains.
Even if Tony Stark and Victor Von Doom have no connection within the story, audiences certainly have one with Downey. Watching the actor who defined Iron Man transform into Doom gives Doomsday an extra layer that simply wouldn’t exist with another performer.
Marvel is preparing to bring Avengers Endgame: Encore to theaters, and the new version is apparently going to matter quite a bit when it comes to Doomsday.
Joe Russo previously explained that Avengers Endgame: Encore is "going to connect the story of the two movies. There’s a natural progression from Endgame into Doomsday, which is also inclusive of all the other stories that have been playing out."
He also made it sound like fans will want to revisit Endgame before seeing the next Avengers movie. "But I think it’s important to see Endgame again in theaters for two reasons," Russo said. "One, you’re going to have a lot of fun, and two, I think it’s required viewing for following the story in Doomsday."
That “required viewing” comment raises plenty of questions about exactly how Endgame feeds into Doomsday. Tony Stark’s death remains one of the biggest moments in MCU history, but if Doom truly has no connection to Stark, then Marvel is apparently using Endgame to build toward Doomsday in another way.
We’ll have to wait to find out what that connection actually is. Fans will eventually be able to examine Avengers Endgame: Encore at home as well. The movie is being marketed on Disney+, indicating that the new version will eventually be available on the streaming service. There’s currently no release date listed, but it would make sense for it to arrive before Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters.
Before that happens, Disney will want audiences buying tickets for the theatrical re-release.
As for Doom and Iron Man having no connection, that creates an interesting dynamic for longtime fans even if the characters themselves have absolutely no connection. Audiences spent years associating Downey with Iron Man, so watching him disappear into Doom is going to be one of the biggest challenges and attractions of Avengers: Doomsday.
But then, of course, the Russo’s could by lying about this to preserve the big surprise! We’ll have to wait and see.
Avengers: Doomsday arrives in theaters December 18.