How did Marvel choose Robert Downey Jr. to play the role of big bad Dr. Doom?

Robert Downey Jr. has become synonymous with Marvel's Iron Man. The Oscar-winning actor has received a lot of love and recognition from the MCU fans for his performance as charismatic Tony Stark. Although an industrialist and inventor, Stark was the good guy in these stories. So, some fans couldn't believe Downey had been cast as Doctor Doom in the upcoming Marvel movies.

For those who are unaware, Doctor Doom is a villain in the Marvel Comics. So, it was shocking to see one of the heroes being shown as a villain within the same cinematic universe. His casting was announced in July 2024 at the San Diego Comic-Con. While it may be a surprise for Tony Stark fans, it wasn't a sudden decision, according to the recent comments from the Russo brothers.

“That was [Marvel Boss] Kevin [Feige]. Interestingly enough about that, that conversation was had a while ago.”

Anthony Russo mentioned this during his recent conversation with Omelet. It ties in with what Iron Man director Jon Favreau said in 2023 while speaking with Feige, per Deadline.

“I remember you had all met with [Robert Downey Jr.] already for like Doctor Doom or something on another project I think he had come through on maybe Fantastic Four [2005], so everybody sort of knew who he was.”

So, the plans of casting Downey as Victor Von Doom had reportedly been on the table for over two decades.

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Russo Brothers reflect on their upcoming Avengers movies, starring Robert Downey Jr.

Robert Downey Jr. returns to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in its upcoming phase as Doctor Doom. He is set to star in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. The Russo brothers, who have directed Marvel's commercially lucrative projects, also return.

After working on films like The Gray Man, Cherry, and The Electric State, the brothers will helm new films. So, they recently spoke about everything Marvel, including the casting of Robert Downey Jr.

“Robert Downey Jr. tried to talk us into doing it and we said ‘no.’ We just didn’t have a story. We didn’t have a way in. We were resistant for a while. Then, one day Steve McFeely, one of our chief collaborators, said, ‘I have an idea.’ We went, ‘That’s the story!’ That story has to be told. It’s a really powerful story.”

Joe Russo said this about the movie. He further added,

“The only thing I will say about the movie is this: We love villains who think they’re the hero of their own stories. That’s when they become three-dimensional and they become more interesting. And when you have an actor like Robert Downey, you have to create a well-shaped, three-dimensional character for the audience.”