Curiosities

Robert Downey Jr. to play Doctor Doom: Is the character a variant of Iron Man?

The crowd at Comic-Con was stunned when Robert Downey Jr. emerged under a new and enigmatic mask. Could the face behind Iron Man be linked to one of the MCU's most iconic villains? Check here to see if he is a variant of Tony Stark.

Robert Downey Jr. at the San Diego Comic Con 2024.
© @ItzVarun_____Robert Downey Jr. at the San Diego Comic Con 2024.

After a long time without knowing anything about Robert Downey Jr.‘s future in the MCU, it is finally known what will happen in the next phase. The actor has confirmed that he will return, but not as Iron Man, instead as Doctor Doom.

The revelation took place at an event organized by the Marvel panel during the San Diego Comic-Con . Hundreds of fans were present, and after a mysterious entrance, he appeared in a green outfit, saying: “New mask, same task“.

As expected, fans quickly reacted and the crowd erupted in cheers. The excitement was truly palpable, but so were the questions about the character. Check here to see if Victor Von Doom is a variant of Tony Stark…

Advertisement

Is Doctor Doom the evil variant of Tony Stark?

No! Doctor Doom and Tony Stark are distinct characters with very different origins and trajectories. However, in some alternative versions and parallel universes within the multiverse, there are interesting variants.

There is a version known as “Iron Doom“, which is a combination of Tony Stark and Victor Von Doom. In this variant, Doom obtains the Iron Man armor and combines his intellect and abilities with the power of Stark technology.

Doctor Doom. (Source: @DiscussingFilm)

Doctor Doom. (Source: @DiscussingFilm)

Advertisement

In the comic series “Infamous Iron Man”, which ran from 2016 to 2018 and is part of the main universe, the Doctor becomes Iron Man after the events that lead Tony Stark to retire.

In this series, he assumes the mantle of Iron Man with the intention of redeeming himself and proving he can be a hero. Although he is not a variant of Stark, it does show how Victor becomes a heroic figure similar to the Avengers icon.

Why was Robert Downey Jr. cast as Doctor Doom?

Before Robert Downey Jr. was chosen to play Iron Man, the Marvel Studios production team considered him for the role of Doctor Doom in the 2005 Fantastic Four movie (which ended up being a great success).

Advertisement
Robert Downey Jr. at San Diego Comic Con 2024 at the unveiling of his new character, Doctor Doom. (Source: @DiscussingFilm)

Robert Downey Jr. at San Diego Comic Con 2024 at the unveiling of his new character, Doctor Doom. (Source: @DiscussingFilm)

The Direct reported that this prior consideration has made fans even more eager to see his performance in Avengers: Doomsday (to be released on May 2026), especially given the MCU’s multiverse concepts.

The revelation of the star as Victor Von Doom, which took place at Marvel’s panel at the 2024 San Diego Comic-Con, has become one of the 15 most-viewed videos on Instagram, with 212 million views.

Advertisement

Ariadna is a versatile journalist who covers a broad spectrum of sports topics and creates evergreen content. Her career in journalism began in 2021 at Indie Emergente, a digital music magazine, where she honed her skills in writing and reporting. In 2023, she expanded her repertoire by contributing to Spoiler Latinoamerica, where she created general culture content, before joining Spoiler US in 2024 to write entertainment pieces. With over four years of experience across different media outlets, Ariadna brings a wealth of knowledge and an expanding influence to the field of journalism.

ALSO READ
Marvel Shocker: ‘Avengers Doomsday’ Release Date Delayed to December 2026
Movies

Marvel Shocker: ‘Avengers Doomsday’ Release Date Delayed to December 2026

Jonathan Majors reacted to being replaced by Robert Downey Jr. in the MCU
Celebrities

Jonathan Majors reacted to being replaced by Robert Downey Jr. in the MCU

Robert Downey Jr.'s Doom: How much will he earn for playing the Marvel villain?
Movies

Robert Downey Jr.'s Doom: How much will he earn for playing the Marvel villain?

Robert Downey Jr. to be Doctor Doom: Funniest Memes and Reactions
Celebrities

Robert Downey Jr. to be Doctor Doom: Funniest Memes and Reactions

Receive the latest news in your E-mail box

Registering implies accepting the Terms and Conditions

Better Collective Logo