Summary
Robert Downey Jr.’s casting as theMCU’s new Doctor Doom not only affectsAvengers: DoomsdayandAvengers: Secret Wars, but probablyArmor Warsas well. The biggest news from Marvel at San Diego Comic-Con 2024 was Robert Downey Jr.’s return as Doctor Doom inthe Russo Bros.‘Avengers: Doomsday, set to release in May 2026. Downey’s return seven years afterIron Man’s death inAvengers: Endgamecomes as a surprise to fans, as Downey will play a character on the opposite side of the moral spectrum than his beloved Iron Man portrayal.
In the source material, Victor von Doom is a brilliant scientist and sorcerer with a lifelong grudge against Reed Richards, and consequently, against the Fantastic Four. Doom’s thirst for power and conquest has led him to battle the Avengers, and his mastery of technology has occasionally made him a formidable Iron Man villain. However, Doctor Doom and Iron Man don’t have any further connections in the comics. The fact that both characters are played by Robert Downey Jr. in the MCU inevitably links them together.
Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom Might Lessen Armor Wars’ Iron Man Tribute
Armor Wars Might Not Be As Emotional Knowing Robert Downey Jr Is Playing A Villain Now
Regardless of how Marvel Studios adapts the source material,the MCU’sArmor Warsmoviewill likely deal with Iron Man’s legacy to some degree. Don Cheadle’s Rhodey Rhodes will likely attempt to stop the titular war to acquire Iron Man’s technology, defending Tony Stark’s creations from various villains who attempt to become the world’s next Iron Man.Tony Stark’s absence is key to a movie where Iron Man’s legacy is at the center of the plot, but Robert Downey Jr.’s MCU return as Doctor Doom may be a distraction.While Downey is playing a new character, he has become synonymous with Tony Stark.
Robert Downey Jr’s Avengers 5 Return Proves The #1 Marvel Rule Fans Have Known For Decades
Marvel Comics aficionados should see Robert Downey Jr.’s return as business as usual as it simply continues one of Marvel’s golden rules.
What’s worse,Armor Warswill likely be released afterRobert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom introduction inAvengers: Doomsday.There haven’t been any recent updates forArmor Wars, which suggests that it won’t be released sooner than 2026. Seeing Rhodey and his armored enemies fight over Tony Stark’s legacy soon after Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom makes his debut on the big screen would only call attention to the fact that both Iron Man and Doctor Doom are played by the same actor.
What’s Going On With The MCU’s Other Upcoming Movies?
Armor Wars And Other MCU Movies May Be Released Sooner Than Expected
Avengers: DoomsdayandAvengers: Secret Warsare gearing up to be the Multiverse Saga’s equivalent ofAvengers: Infinity WarandAvengers: Endgame. ButifAvengers: DoomsdayandAvengers: Secret Warswrap up the Multiverse Saga, then projects such asArmor Wars,Doctor Strange 3,Shang-Chi 2,Spider-Man 4, andThor 5will probably have to be released in 2026 and 2027 as well, following the MCU’s reduced output. In that case,Doctor Strange 3andThor 5might have multiverse-themed plots, andArmor Warswill likely be released quite close to Robert Downey Jr.’s return inAvengers: Doomsday.
