Fans were stunned by the news of Robert Downey Jr. returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) to portray the villain Doctor Doom in two upcoming “Avengers” films. However, it appears that Downey’s involvement in the Marvel franchise as Doctor Doom may not be as surprising as it initially seemed.
In a video released by Marvel Entertainment last year, director Jon Favreau and Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige reminisced about the making of the first MCU film, 2008’s “Iron Man.” During their discussion, Favreau revealed that Downey had previously been considered for the role of Doctor Doom, a fact that had been largely overlooked by fans.
“I remember that Robert had come in for a general meeting on ‘Iron Man,’ and you had already met with him for Doctor Doom or something,” Favreau told Feige, who was an executive producer on 2005’s “Fantastic Four” and its 2007 sequel, “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.”
Favreau’s recollection highlights that even before Downey became Iron Man, there was interest in casting him as the iconic Marvel villain. Feige, who nodded in agreement, recalled that they had discussed Downey’s potential for Doctor Doom while working on the early MCU projects.
The role of Victor Von Doom, also known as Doctor Doom, eventually went to Julian McMahon in the 2005 “Fantastic Four.” However, Downey is now set to take on the character in two highly anticipated films: “Avengers: Doomsday,” scheduled for release on May 1, 2026, and “Avengers: Secret Wars,” which will hit theaters in 2027. Both movies will be directed by the Russo Brothers.
At the time Downey was considered for Doctor Doom, his career was in a state of flux due to personal and legal troubles. In 1996, Downey was arrested for possession of heroin, cocaine, and an unloaded gun, leading to three years of probation. He was jailed for nearly four months in 1997 after failing a court-ordered drug test and was subsequently sentenced to three years in prison in 1999 after skipping another test. Downey served 15 months of his sentence but was arrested again shortly after his release.
These issues made Downey a controversial figure in Hollywood. During the development of “Fantastic Four,” Christopher Nolan was reportedly interested in casting Downey as the villain Scarecrow in his 2005 film “Batman Begins.” However, Nolan admitted this year that he was hesitant due to Downey’s troubled reputation at the time.
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“I had heard all kinds of stories about how you were crazy,” Nolan told Downey in a joint interview with The New York Times. “It was only a few years after the last of those stories had come out about you.”
Marvel Studios faced similar concerns. Despite Favreau and former president David Maisel’s strong belief in Downey’s potential, there were reservations about casting him as Iron Man due to his past behavior. “My board thought I was crazy to put the future of the company in the hands of an addict,” Maisel recalled last year.
Maisel’s confidence in Downey proved well-founded, as the actor’s portrayal of Iron Man became one of the most iconic roles in the MCU. Downey’s recovery and remarkable comeback not only revitalized his career but also reshaped his public image.
