Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr. Offer Evasive Answers About Doctor Doom’s Resemblance to Tony Stark in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’

Since Robert Downey Jr. donned a Doctor Doom costume at Comic Con, a pressing question has followed ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ everywhere: How will Marvel explain the introduction of a new supervillain who looks just like one of its most beloved heroes?

While Downey won’t reprise his role as Tony Stark, who sacrificed himself in ‘Avengers: Endgame,’ he will portray Victor von Doom, a character with a rich comic book legacy. Marvel has been tight-lipped about any possible connection between the two characters within the film’s narrative.

This ambiguity continued during the cast’s press appearance at San Diego Comic Con, where they were directly asked if the film acknowledges that Doctor Doom resembles Tony Stark. Their responses were predictably vague, keeping fans guessing.

Chris Evans kept his answer straightforward, indicating that the subject is off-limits for now. Downey followed suit with a playful response, maintaining the intrigue surrounding Doom’s character as the film approaches its release.

Despite not revealing specifics, Downey did share his perspective on the similarities between the two characters. In a conversation after the panel, he noted that while both Tony and Doom are seen as brilliant in their fields, Tony’s heroism stems from trauma, whereas “Doom’s got the exact opposite.” This contrast adds complexity to the challenges the returning heroes will face, as he explained to Entertainment Weekly.

This aligns with Marvel’s hints about how the film will handle the resemblance. Reports prior to Comic Con suggested that the heroes will never see Doom without his mask, keeping the visual similarity to Stark a secret from the characters, even as the audience is aware of it.

Additionally, it was reported that Downey would give Doom a distinct accent, further preserving the in-universe mystery while viewers recognize the resemblance. Whether this will hold true upon the film’s release remains to be seen, explaining the cast’s tendency to deflect questions rather than provide clear answers.

The press event featured a full ensemble, including Evans, Pedro Pascal, Paul Rudd, Anthony Mackie, David Harbour, Letitia Wright, and Rebecca Romijn, fresh off a panel where ‘Doomsday’ revealed new footage and cast details. Directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, the film unites heroes from three different universes, including the mainline Avengers, the Fantastic Four, and the X-Men, as they confront what Marvel describes as an unprecedented existential threat.

For now, the studio appears content to keep fans in suspense a little longer. ‘Avengers Doomsday’ is set to hit theaters on December 18, and it seems the answer to Marvel’s biggest open secret will remain under wraps until then.

Do you think the MCU heroes will ever realize that Doctor Doom looks like Tony Stark? Share your thoughts in the comments.