How Kevin Feige Got Robert Downey Jr. to Come Back as Doctor Doom
Robert Downey Jr. shocked the world last month when he revealed that he was returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
Taking the stage at San Diego Comic Com’s Hall H, the Russo brothers announced that the fifth Avengers film would officially be titled Avengers: Doomsday and would feature the long-awaited entry of Victor Von Doom into the MCU.
As they revealed the title, a group dressed as Doctor Doom appeared on stage alongside them.
Photo: BBC
“If we’re going to do this, if we are going to bring him to movie theaters worldwide, then I think we are going to need the greatest actor in the world to play that character,” Joe Russo teased.
“Ladies and gentlemen, as proof of the unimaginable possibilities in the Marvel multi-universe, we give you the one person who can play Victor Von Doom.”
At that moment, one Doom stepped forward and took off his mask. It was Robert Downey Jr.
Photo: Marvel
“New mask, same task,” Downey Jr quipped. “I like playing complicated characters.”
How Feige Convinced Downey to Return
While news of Downey’s return seemed to come out of left field, it turns out that Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige and Downey had been discussing a comeback for at least a year.
Source: Jessie Grant/ Disney/ Getty Images
In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Downey recalled how his return came to be.
Since Downey left the MCU following the events of Avengers: Endgame in 2019, he continued to stay in contact with Feige. However, the tone of their conversation began to change last year when Feige started to hint that Downey could return to Marvel.
Source: Marvel Studios
“He said, ‘It just keeps occurring to me, if you were to come back …’” Downey said in the latest episode of The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcast. “Susan was like, ‘Wait, wait. Come back as what?’”
Enter Doom
Eventually, Downey and Feige began discussing how they could facilitate the actor’s return. The answer was simple: Doctor Doom.
Dot Esports
“How can we not go backwards? How can we not disappoint expectations? And how can we continue to beat expectations?” Downey recalled. “And he brought up Victor Von Doom. I looked into this character. Later on, he goes, ‘Let’s get Victor Von Doom right.”
While Marvel’s decision to bring Downey back into the fold was largely met with enthusiasm, it also has detractors.
Photo: Inverse
With the weight of the Marvel multiverse on his shoulders, Downey will once again need to rise to the occasion. As Feige said, they need to get Victor Von Doom right.
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