Doctor Doom will join the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2026 with the release of Avengers: Doomsday, and recent comments from the directors of the upcoming film have suggested the great care that is being put into his depiction. With three previous actors having played Doctor Doom, there is significant pressure on Robert Downey Jr. for this latest version. The villain is set to be the main antagonist of the next two Avengers films, and recent comments from the directors of these movies have helped to solidify Doom’s importance to them.

Depending on what iteration of the character is used, Doctor Doom could be one of the strongest MCU villains yet. Incredibly brilliant in the sciences, and well-educated in sorcery and magic, Doom crosses the line between technology and mysticism in ways that have not yet been seen in the franchise. With a charismatic performer playing the character, many have been excited to see what this new Doom iteration will be like in the MCU timeline. New comments from the Russo brothers have helped to explain their approach.

Robert Downey Jr’s Doctor Doom Casting Is One of The MCU’s Riskier Castings

The Choice Is Surprising And It Remains To Be Seen If It Was The Right One

When it was announced that Robert Downey Jr. would play Doctor Doom in the upcoming Avengers sequels, the responses were all over the place. Many have since worried that the iteration will not be faithful to the comics, and will instead be a Tony Stark variant, which could be disappointing. However, the directors have confirmed that Downey is playing Victor Von Doom, which has led to much speculation about how the MCU will choose to incorporate this iteration of the popular character.

This could be an excellent choice, as Downey is arguably the most beloved performer who has yet appeared in the series. However, it could also go wrong. If the new Doctor Doom is as unsuccessful as the previous iterations – none of which have been bad but none of which have really lived up to their potential – this could taint the overall Marvel brand. Given Robert Downey Jr’s connections to Iron Man, this could even hurt the legacy of the previous MCU films up to this point, making the matter of getting things right all the more crucial.

The Russo Brothers’ Comments About Villains Set A Promising Precedent For The MCU’s Doctor Doom

The Directors Recently Spoke About The Importance Of Developed Villain Characters

In a recent interview with omelete, Joe and Anthony Russo were asked about their approach to Doctor Doom in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday. The most important part of their response outlined their approach to villains, saying “we love villains who think they are the heroes of their own stories. That’s when they become three-dimensional and when they become more interesting.” This is an important reflection that makes sense based on their previous work, and actually coincides with Stan Lee’s Golden Rule.

It is important that this new Doctor Doom be a complex and multifaceted character. The directors speaking about this importance is relieving, especially when going into detail about how fleshed-out this character will need to be, noting that they “have to create a well-shaped, three-dimensional character for the audience. That’s where a lot of our focus is going.” Following in the path of Thanos, one of the most compelling villains in the MCU, this is a good sign that the upcoming project will take things just as seriously, if not more so.

The Russo Brothers’ Comments About Villains Is Especially Promising Given Doctor Doom’s Comic History

Doctor Doom Must Believe That What He Is Doing Is Right

Avengers: Endgame‘s depiction of Thanos and his motives led to some inside and outside of the MCU arguing that he was right for what he did. This spoke to how compelling this version of the Marvel villain was, and seems likely to be replicated with Doctor Doom. Given the comic version of Doom is traditionally shown truly believing that what he is doing is right, this idea is an important one. While tempered with character flaws that he is unwilling to see, Doctor Doom is a genuinely powerful force in part because he truly believes in his cause.

Whatever Doctor Doom’s goal is in the upcoming films, it is important that it be something that makes sense for his character, and ensures audiences find him a three-dimensional and engaging antagonist. This will likely align with stories set around the Battleworld, potentially seeing Doom fighting to save his own universe from destruction. While this will place the villain at odds with the Avengers team from Earth-616, this story will genuinely give Doom the room to pursue a meaningful and understandable goal, and provide the perfect setup for an excellent foe who is even difficult to root against.

The upcoming Avengers sequels are some of the most highly anticipated films in years, and even have the potential to outdo the success of Avengers: Endgame. The story and stakes have never been higher, and to communicate that effectively, a strong and engaging villain must be used. These previous comments from the Russos help to show how important Doctor Doom is to Avengers: Doomsday, and underline their intent to build something valuable and compelling from his comic book origins.

Upcoming MCU Movies

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  Thunderbolts*

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  May 2, 2025
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  The Fantastic Four: First Steps

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  July 25, 2025
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Avengers: Doomsday (2026)

  
  
  
  
  

  
  

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  MCU Spider-Man 4

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  July 24, 2026
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Avengers: Secret Wars

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  May 7, 2027
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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