NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
As it stands now, no one outside of Avengers: Doomsday knows exactly how Marvel will handle the storyline of Robert Downey Jr. as Victor Von Doom. But what does make sense is the casting of Downey Jr., who also played Iron Man.
With his heartbreaking death in Avengers: Endgame, many believed that was the last we’d seen of Downey Jr. However, when the news broke that he would play Dr. Doom, it sent shockwaves through the MCU and its fan base. But at what capacity will we get him?
Are we getting a variant of Tony Stark, or are we just getting the fandom and nostalgia that Downey Jr. brings? There are just too many theories out now. As a fan, I would like the variant version. Yes, it’s for my own selfish reasons. Let’s be clear, while I was stunned and hurt by the death of Tony Stark, a return as a villain is a brilliant move.
The reason is due to what it adds to the storyline. With a mask, Doom can conceal his identity for as long as he wants before there is a big reveal. Think about it like this. With Doom running rampant through other dimensions, the Avengers, X-Men, and Fantastic Four will have to join forces. But imagine the shock and awe that will come when a variant of Stark is revealed to his former friends that he’s the one causing the destruction.
How will Spider-Man feel about it? With the return of Steve Rogers, can he do the unthinkable and take out his friend? While Thor may have reservations, he might be the one to see the logic of death. But still, how will Pepper feel when Doom comes for her and Morgan?
Now things get interesting, thanks to a deleted scene from Endgame that has surfaced years ago but now has taken on new life, we may finally have a reason for Doom’s arrival and the focal point of why Downey Jr. became Dr. Doom. In it, there is Tony and his daughter Morgan, who is older. This takes place right after his death, and he and Morgan have a conversation where she tells Tony thanks for the sacrifice. Now, with Doom in play, imagine this deleted scene being the opening scene to Doomsday.
While many will point to Doom’s appearance in Fantastic Four: First Steps, we never saw Doom’s face. We know that Tony is taking the role, but maybe that was done for a reason. Maybe that version of Doom is killed, and with Tony having regret after seeing Morgan, he wants to come back and becoming Doom is the only way.
This is why having Downey play Doom is a great idea. While the fans already know the identity, it will add a level of excitement to it. While the X-Men and Fantastic Four have not had any run-ins with Iron Man, it’s the OG Avengers who will be hesitant to do what needs to be done.
Looking back at the comic version of it, Doom did come in contact with the Avengers before, but mainly, he’s the arch-rival of the Fantastic Four. With everyone set to make an appearance in Doomsday, the stage is set not only for an epic showdown that the superhero world has never seen before on the big screen but a storyline that will change everything in the MCU.
