Rumor Suggests Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom Could Be a Long-Term Character in Marvel Universe
Rumours are swirling that Robert Downey Jr. might continue his role as Doctor Doom in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) beyond the upcoming film, Avengers: Secret Wars.
Insider Daniel RPK reports that Marvel Studios is discussing plans for Downey Jr. to remain as Doctor Doom after Avengers: Secret Wars, suggesting that his character could survive or continue despite the events of that movie. This would make him the primary Doctor Doom in the MCU going forward.
Downey's Doctor Doom made his debut in a mid-credits scene of The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025), highlighting his importance in the upcoming Phase 6 of the MCU. The success and integration of the Fantastic Four into the MCU may contribute to Marvel’s plans to keep Doctor Doom as a recurring villain, rather than a one-off antagonist.
It remains uncertain whether Downey Jr. himself is confirmed to want a longer tenure, but Marvel’s current discussions indicate a strong intent to feature him as Doctor Doom beyond Secret Wars.
In the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday, scheduled for release in about a year and a half, and Avengers: Secret Wars, Downey's Doctor Doom is expected to make an appearance. The specifics of how the reboot and continuation will unfold from a story perspective are unclear at this time.
Kevin Feige, the president of Marvel Studios, has stated that Avengers: Secret Wars will act as a reboot for the franchise. The reboot may involve old characters returning and possibly being recast. If Robert Downey Jr.'s performance as Doctor Doom is well-received, he could continue as a major antagonist for multiple phases of the MCU.
The upcoming Avengers: Secret Wars is planned as a new beginning for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. After Avengers: Secret Wars, the future of the MCU beyond that point is currently unknown. However, there's every reason to believe that Doom could end up being beaten in the next movie (even seemingly permanently) and still return.
Daniel Richtman, a serial scooper, reported the rumor about Downey's potential long-term return via ComicBook.com. While Richtman's track record isn't perfect, he has been reliable on multiple occasions.
In summary, while not officially confirmed with a final contract or announcement, multiple credible rumors and insider reports strongly suggest that Robert Downey Jr. will continue his role as Doctor Doom in the MCU after Avengers: Secret Wars.
- In the daily blend of Marvel entertainment news, it's been suggested that interviews with Robert Downey Jr. might reveal his thoughts on potentially blending his iconic character, Doctor Doom, into future movies-and-tv series beyond Avengers: Secret Wars.
- As speculation grows about the fate of Doctor Doom in the MCU after Avengers: Secret Wars, fans eagerly anticipate daily blends of entertainment updates that may include interviews with key figures, providing insights into Marvel's plans for long-term villains, like Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom.
