‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Star Vanessa Kirby Shares Robert Downey Jr.’s Kind Gesture

Robert Downey Jr.’s return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe has generated significant buzz, particularly as he steps into the role of Victor Von Doom in ‘Avengers: Doomsday,’ following his iconic portrayal of Tony Stark in ‘Avengers: Endgame.’ This transition has brought him into close contact with a fresh wave of actors joining the franchise for the first time.

Among these newcomers is Vanessa Kirby, who made her MCU debut as Sue Storm in ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ earlier this year before joining the larger ensemble for ‘Doomsday.’ With many actors entering the Marvel universe simultaneously, Kirby has previously described Downey as a steadying presence on set, affectionately nicknamed their “Godfather” by the cast.

During her appearance on ‘The View,’ Kirby shared a specific detail about how Downey has been nurturing the new cast members during production. She praised him as one of the kindest individuals she’s ever met, noting that, as the franchise’s original leading man, he has been guiding a large group of newcomers through their first Marvel experience, according to The View.

Kirby revealed that Downey’s leadership manifests in a surprisingly simple yet thoughtful way. He hosts elaborate lunches for the cast every day, a gesture she believes has genuinely fostered camaraderie during filming. Instead of isolating themselves in their trailers, Kirby explained that these daily gatherings help keep the extensive ensemble connected throughout the shoot.

This aligns with Kirby’s earlier comments about Downey’s presence on set. In a previous interview with Variety, she referred to him as the cast’s leader, reiterating their shared nickname for him as their “Godfather,” someone who consistently looks after the newer actors during production.

Given the vast ensemble of ‘Doomsday,’ which includes actors from the Avengers, Fantastic Four, X-Men, and Thunderbolts, this daily ritual seems to serve a practical purpose beyond mere hospitality. With so many actors meeting for the first time, Downey’s lunches appear to be designed to cultivate real chemistry among a cast that spans multiple generations of Marvel storytelling.

Kirby’s insights add a personal, behind-the-scenes touch to what is shaping up to be one of Marvel’s most ambitious ensemble films yet. ‘Doomsday’ unites longtime franchise veterans like Chris Hemsworth and Anthony Mackie with newer additions such as Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, while also reintroducing original ‘X-Men’ film stars like Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, and Rebecca Romijn.

With such a large and diverse cast, Downey’s daily lunches seem to be doing more than just satisfying appetites; they are helping to weave together a genuinely cohesive ensemble ahead of the film’s December release.

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