Kevin Feige Shares Robert Downey Jr.’s Reaction to Playing Doctor Doom in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’

Robert Downey Jr.’s return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Victor Von Doom is one of the most astonishing casting decisions in the franchise’s history. The narrative of how this came to be has become even more intriguing with each interview from Kevin Feige.

The Marvel Studios president has spent a significant amount of time this past year discussing the rationale behind bringing back the actor best known for portraying Tony Stark, this time as a villain capable of threatening the entire multiverse.

Feige revealed that the concept began to take shape in early 2023, coinciding with Downey’s approach to his first Academy Award win for ‘Oppenheimer’. This prompted Feige to consider that the timing was finally right. In a conversation with Entertainment Weekly at CinemaCon 2026, Feige recounted how he approached Downey with the idea of taking on Marvel’s most iconic villain, emphasizing the creative possibilities the multiverse offered.

Feige also disclosed Downey’s actual response to the proposal. Feige revealed that Downey stated, ‘I played the best hero… I can play the best villain.’

“His exact words were, ‘I played the best hero… I can play the best villain.’”

Feige echoed a similar sentiment during the same CinemaCon discussion, noting that since Downey had portrayed the most iconic hero, it made sense to let him embody the most iconic villain. He also mentioned that Marvel Studios maintained a connection with Downey after his tenure as Tony Stark, with discussions about a potential return ongoing for years before anything was finalized.

The announcement at San Diego Comic-Con in 2024 surprised even Downey’s co-stars. Benedict Cumberbatch revealed he learned about it live during the announcement and quickly texted Feige with a candid reaction, later clarifying it was a positive surprise. Jeremy Renner also admitted he was unaware of the casting, despite being close friends with Downey, humorously stating that he bombarded Downey’s phone in their group chat once the news broke.

Downey himself shared his reasons for accepting the role, describing the experience as someone expressing their belief in his ability to undertake a role audiences had never seen him perform. He admitted his initial reaction was one of pure shock, followed by a sense of obligation to prove himself.

The Russo Brothers, who directed Downey during his Avengers tenure and are returning for both ‘Doomsday’ and ‘Secret Wars’, have characterized this version of Doom as a character whose immense power allows for exploration of genuine vulnerability beneath the surface.

‘Avengers: Doomsday’ is scheduled to hit theaters on December 18, 2026, with ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’ following on December 17, 2027, marking the conclusion of Marvel’s current saga. As more behind-the-scenes insights emerge ahead of the release, it’s evident how much consideration went into persuading Downey that swapping his hero’s cape for a villain’s mask was a worthwhile risk.

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