In recent years, it's been tough for Marvel to revive enthusiasm among its hardcore fans, as they didn't seem to have enjoyed some of its bombshell flops like The Marvels, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, and even the Disney+ series Secret Invasion wasn't well-received by them.
However, the arrival of Ryan Reynolds' Deadpool and Wolverine and the announcement of the two big Marvel movies have significantly contributed to shifting attention from failed projects to upcoming ones.
Robert Downey Jr.'s casting as the supervillain Doctor Doom remains the top news, with many fans being disappointed over the franchise using similar and most-adored faces instead of taking creative risks.
There are notable reasons why Marvel's assets- which are undeniably the enthusiasts, are expressing frustration over the casting of Downey Jr., including the multiverse confusion and the effect on the character's legacy left by him in Avengers: Endgame.
Additionally, watching the actor playing a supervillainous role after he slayed Iron Man for many years will likely confuse viewers. Overall, the casting looked like an incredibly smart but desperate move using Downey Jr. to build anticipation.
Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom has disappointed many Marvel fans
Before we explore why Robert Downey Jr's casting in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars has ignited significant backlash, make sure to know that the actor won't be playing any variant of Tony Stark, as he will be seen as the original and most formidable Victor Von Doom.
Many believe Marvel now relies on its past successes rather than taking creative risks and bringing new faces to the superhero world. This huge casting of Downey Jr. also raises questions about Doctor Doom's Romani heritage, as casting an actor with a similar cultural background would have generated more appreciation.
Since the end of Avengers: Endgame, the superhero films felt half-done with lackluster narratives. Though they weren't entirely uninteresting, fans couldn't connect well with the characters and their motives. The makers could have welcomed a new actor in the role as Downey Jr.'s villain might overshadow the superheroes, making them less important when they are the planet's saviors.
The internet is riddled with posts talking about how the casting is negatively impacting the fans:
There are also concerns about the supervillain's impact in the film, as he's one of the most terrifying and intelligent villains in the comics, and Robert Downey Jr. playing that role will likely remind them of Tony Stark:
Before Downey Jr. revealed his latest role at the San Diego Comic-Con 2024, there were rumors that Oppenheimer star Cillian Murphy would join the MCU with a big role.
Fans were also expressing interest in watching Murphy play the next bad guy in the universe, but the claims were turned down soon after Downey said, "New mask, same task," and blew up the Comic-Con room with unstoppable cheers.
Exploring Doctor Doom's cultural background according to Marvel comics
Doctor Doom, or Victor Von Doom, is present in almost every list of the top supervillains of Marvel, and his past experiences since childhood played a crucial role in transforming him into the most intelligent yet deadly bad guy in the comic books.
He was born in the fictional town of Latveria, known for its magical influences and advanced technology. Doom's homeland is one of the reasons why he became a scientist and a villain at the same time.
Even though the Marvel universe is filled with intelligent heroes, Doom remains one of the brilliant minds with impressive knowledge of science and magic. He belonged to the Romani culture and was a member of the gypsy travelers from his country.
Doctor Doom had several traumatic experiences at an early age, including the demise of both of his parents, which injected him with an urge to have control all over the world. While Doom is undeniably ruthless, he desperately wants to restore his mother's soul from a demon in the comic book.
Considering Victor Von Doom's story in the acclaimed comic books, the villain undoubtedly deserves his own story in the MCU. However, bringing back Downey Jr. as the new villain might conflict with notable elements in crafting the story arc of Doctor Doom.
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