Marvel Studios has officially announced the cast for Avengers: Doomsday, which suggests they are sidestepping Robert Downey Jr playing Doctor Doom in the laziest possible way. Robert Downey Jr.’s casting as Doctor Doom is a huge development in the MCU timeline and has prompted fervent debate around how it will manage the fact he resembles the MCU’s most important hero: Iron Man. Considering Tony Stark’s legacy, it was presumed that this would form a central narrative in the MCU’s Avengers: Doomsday, but instead it seems like Marvel have found an underwhelming workaround.

After previously announcing RDJ’s casting in a surprise reveal at San Diego Comic Con, more of the Avengers: Doomsday cast were announced in an extensive live event streamed across Marvel’s social media. These spectacles have certainly raised anticipation for the movie, hinting at possible narratives in Avengers: Doomsday. Yet the biggest problem remains: Doctor Doom will inevitably look a lot like Iron Man. While Marvel had an opportunity to explore this uncanny resemblance in a meaningful way, their casting choices suggest they’re avoiding the issue entirely.

The Matter Of How Marvel Will Explain Why Doctor Doom Looks Like Tony Stark Has Been A Popular Point Of MCU Debate

There Are Many Possibilities For Doom’s Appearance

Ever since Marvel confirmed Downey Jr.’s return to the MCU as Victor von Doom, the internet has been filled with theories on how Marvel could justify Doom’s appearance. Some speculated that Avengers: Doomsday could introduce a Tony Stark variant who went down a darker path, perhaps merging aspects of Stark’s intellect with Doom’s villainy. Others theorized that Doom might be manipulating his own appearance to resemble the fallen Avenger, either as a power move or a psychological tactic against the heroes.

Others point to the Infamous Iron Man comic storyline in which Doom poses as Iron Man. While superficially similar, this isn’t quite the same situation, as Doom doesn’t resemble Tony Stark during this period, merely adorning his armor. The variant theory seemed the most likely, until RDJ confirmed that he isn’t playing a version of Tony Stark. Now, the remaining Avengers: Doomsday cast has complicated the issue further.

None Of Tony’s Closest Allies Have Been Cast In Avengers: Doomsday

Spider-Man, War Machine, And Hulk Are All Absent From The Avengers: Doomsday Cast

The most glaring issue with the announced cast of Avengers: Doomsday is the absence of key characters who would have the strongest reaction to Doom’s resemblance to Tony Stark. Peter Parker (Tom Holland) arguably had the deepest emotional connection to Stark, treating him as a mentor and father figure. Seeing Doom for the first time and his subsequent villainous deeds would be a gut-wrenching moment for Peter, especially if he’s forced to fight him.

James “Rhodey” Rhodes (Don Cheadle), Tony’s best friend and War Machine, would also have an understandably strong reaction. He knew Stark better than anyone and would instantly recognize the eerie similarities between Doom and Tony. Then there’s Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo), a fellow scientist who worked closely with Stark, even moving into Stark Tower after The Avengers.

Yet none of these characters appear to be part of the movie’s roster. Instead, the cast includes Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), and Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan). While these heroes all fought alongside Tony, their personal stakes in his return – or at least, his uncanny resemblance in the form of Doom – are nowhere near as strong. The lack of key figures makes it seem as though Marvel is avoiding a potentially complex plot point rather than tackling it head-on.

How Avengers: Doomsday Can Still Deliver On The Iron Man/Doctor Doom Plot

The MCU Can Still Explore This Vital Theme

While Marvel’s current approach to Avengers: Doomsday appears to sidestep the most obvious character reactions, there’s still a chance for the film to address the issue in a compelling way. If Doom’s appearance is deliberate – either as a personal decision by Doom himself or a consequence of the multiverse – it would still be used as a major reveal within the movie’s narrative. For example, Doom could be aware of Stark’s legacy and adopt his appearance by mystical or technological means, perhaps even posing as an Iron Man variant.

This would make the absence of Stark’s closest a deliberate factor, as the ones who might see through his guise are absent. Alternatively, Marvel could introduce a surprise cameo from characters like Spider-Man or Rhodey, allowing them to react in real time and giving audiences the payoff they expect. The other major possibility is that Doom survives Doomsday and Secret Wars will depict this uneasy “reunion.” Regardless, by avoiding the characters most affected by his reappearance, they risk reducing undermining his debut in Avengers: Doomsday.

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