Avengers: Doomsday Needs To Hit An Important Emotional Beat

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Avengers: Doomsday Needs To Hit An Important Emotional Beat

Key Takeaways

  • Robert Downey Jr. to play Doctor Doom in next Avengers film, Avengers: Doomsday.
  • Downey Jr. had specific requests, including Russo brothers directing future Avengers films.
  • Doom’s casting should address emotional impact of Stark’s sacrifice in previous films.

As a lifelong Marvel fan who has grown up with Iron Man as one of my favorite heroes, I must say I am beyond excited about Robert Downey Jr.’s return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Doctor Doom. The fact that he will be playing this iconic villain in the upcoming Avengers film, “The Avengers: Doomsday,” is nothing short of mind-blowing.

Marvel Studios left everyone in awe when Kevin Feige, alongside directors Joe and Anthony Russo, unveiled the upcoming Avengers movie titled “Avengers: Doomsday.” What truly sent shockwaves through fans, however, was the announcement that Robert Downey Jr., who once played Iron Man, has agreed to portray the iconic Marvel Comics villain, Doctor Doom, in this film. This decision came as a surprise, as fans pondered how they would handle the resemblance between Tony Stark and Doctor Doom in “Avengers: Doomsday.”

Ever since the announcement about me (the gamer) stepping into the shoes of Doom was revealed at Marvel Studios’ Hall H panel during San Diego Comic-Con, Downey Jr. has been spilling the beans about his return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He’s talked about the conditions that had to be met before he agreed to play the role, as well as what eventually convinced him to take on the challenge of portraying Doctor Doom. Given this background, it seems like “The Avengers: Doomsday” has a golden opportunity to tap into some heartfelt moments, and I (the gamer) believe Marvel Studios would be wise to capitalize on that potential.

What Led to Downey Returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe

Avengers: Doomsday Needs To Hit An Important Emotional Beat

In 2008, when Iron Man was first released, it wasn’t certain if Kevin Feige’s vision of creating an interconnected movie universe would thrive. With Marvel Comics’ most prominent characters distributed among other studios – Spider-Man at Sony and the X-Men at Fox – Marvel was compelled to construct their own universe around lesser-known heroes. The film’s success wasn’t guaranteed, but they remained optimistic, hinting at more to come with a tag featuring Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury. Over time, Iron Man became the symbol of the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the rest of the core Avengers assembled. He not only continued to be a significant Avenger, but he also took on a mentoring role for Spider-Man following Sony and Marvel Studios’ deal to share the character. In The Avengers: Endgame, Iron Man made the ultimate sacrifice. Afterward, Robert Downey Jr., who played Tony Stark for a decade, seemed ready to depart from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, he recently met with Feige about portraying Doctor Doom, and after discussing his requirements, he agreed to reprise a role within the universe he helped establish.

Based on Downey Jr.’s statements in an interview for The Hollywood Reporter’s podcast, he became interested in playing Victor von Doom after Kevin Feige suggested the idea of his return. Upon learning more about Doom, Downey Jr. felt genuinely enthusiastic. Feige then said, “Let’s get it right.” Subsequently, Downey Jr. made several requests, including having Joe and Anthony Russo direct the next two Avengers films, a substantial salary, private jet travel, a trailer camp, and personal security. Marvel Studios agreed to these terms, so Downey Jr. will portray the famous Fantastic Four antagonist, further advancing the Marvel Cinematic Universe instead of hindering its progress.

Why Doom’s Casting Needs to Hit an Emotional Beat

When it was revealed that Downey Jr. would portray Doctor Doom, some fans pondered how this casting decision would pan out. Would he represent a variant of Tony Stark to account for the resemblance between the two characters? Or would he merely embody Victor von Doom without any reference to his role as Tony Stark? It seems that the former is unlikely, leaving Marvel Studios with an opportunity to introduce a deeply moving moment in The Avengers: Doomsday.

Casting Downey Jr. as Doom could introduce a much-needed emotional depth that the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been lacking since the conclusion of “Avengers: Endgame.” The emotional impact of previous films like “Avengers: Infinity War” was evident in the loss of key characters, such as two original Avengers, or the poignant moments like Steve Rogers sacrificing his role as Captain America for personal happiness, and the unification of heroes to confront Thanos. Given the challenges Marvel has faced in recapturing the essence that made these movies exceptional, “Avengers: Doomsday” could potentially reintroduce significant emotional moments through Doom’s encounters with Stark’s former Avengers. Here’s hoping Marvel Studios knows how to handle it effectively.

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2024-08-27 17:04