‘Iron Man 3’ Director Says Robert Downey’s Doctor Doom Will “Reinvigorate” Comic Book Movies

by Justin Hermes · September 30, 2025

While, by and large, the Marvel world was thrilled to hear that Robert Downey Jr. was returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) to portray Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday, there were some who harbored doubts.

In the aftermath of the big announcement, naysayers quickly contended that Downey’s return was simply an example of stunt casting, which showed how far the MCU had fallen.

Photo: BBC

Others argued that Downey’s return would undermine the death of Tony Stark in Avengers: Endgame.

Tony Stark’s death. Photo: Marvel

With just over a year to go until Doomsday hits theaters, one longtime Downey Jr. is coming to his defense and promising that the actor’s portrayal of Victor Von Doom could change the future of comic book movies.

‘Iron Man 3’ Director Shane Black Weighs In

In a recent interview with ComicBook, Shane Black, who wrote Iron Man 3, admitted that he was initially skeptical about Downey’s return.

SAN DIEGO, CA – JULY 19: Shane Black speaks onstage during the 20th Century Fox’s “The Predator” panel during Comic-Con International 2018 at San Diego Convention Center on July 19, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)

Now, however, he has come around.

“I think he’s going to singlehandedly reinvigorate the entire comic book movie industry with that,” Black said.

“I mean, it seemed like at first a cynical idea, you know, ‘Oh, let’s just go back to the well of the one guy that seems to always save us.’ But it’s going to work. It’s really going to work. And he’s brought to it… I’m not at liberty to say anything, not that I know. I’m thrilled because I’m first in line to see that. I haven’t seen all the Marvel movies. I’ll see that one first.”