Avengers: Doomsday – Can RDJ’s Doom Replace Josh Brolin’s Thanos as the MCU’s Best Big Bad?

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In the upcoming “Avengers: Doomsday,” I, Robert Downey Jr., will be stepping into the role of the legendary Marvel antagonist, Doctor Doom. Following in the footsteps of an icon, I am set to headline the next Avengers film as the franchise’s latest formidable foe, taking over from Josh Brolin’s Thanos who dominated the MCU scene in 2018’s “Avengers: Infinity War” and 2019’s “Avengers: Endgame.” Brolin’s portrayal of the Mad Titan, a role that solidified Thanos as the MCU’s greatest menace, saw him go head-to-head with my character, Tony Stark/Iron Man, and the rest of the Avengers. He even managed to defeat us once before meeting his match at the conclusion of “Endgame.” The fact that “Doomsday” is the first Avengers movie in seven years sets a formidable task for my return in a new body.

There’s a lot of debate among Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) fans about the return of Robert Downey Jr., especially considering Iron Man’s emotional demise in Endgame. Additionally, casting him as Victor von Doom/Doctor Doom feels unusual given the high anticipation for this role. The Russos, who are set to return, make many feel that Doomsday‘s marketing is more about nostalgia than innovation. However, Downey Jr.’s upcoming performance has massive pressure attached, as he must not only meet the expectations of the iconic comic book villain but also face constant comparisons to Brolin’s Thanos. The stakes are incredibly high for Avengers: Doomsday, a film that could be a turning point for the entire MCU, as well as for Downey Jr.’s career and the portrayal of Doom.

Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom Has Giant Shoes to Fill

Thanos gained legendary status within the Marvel Cinematic Universe by being a formidable adversary to the universe’s mightiest heroes. The chilling scene where he eliminated half of all life with just a snap of his fingers was a pivotal moment in the MCU, leaving viewers stunned and heartbroken. Josh Brolin’s portrayal of Thanos further cemented the Mad Titan’s fearsome reputation as a villain. However, Brolin managed to strike a delicate balance between showcasing Thanos’ malevolence and revealing his human side. Although Thanos was essentially a genocidal maniac, he also presented as a complex character with a tragic backstory that led him down a dark path after witnessing the destruction of his home planet. Brolin skillfully portrayed Thanos’ villainy when required, but also revealed the villain’s pain, which ultimately made viewers sympathize with the Mad Titan.

Similar to Thanos, Doctor Doom possesses immense power, making his portrayal in terms of power unlikely to pose problems. However, unlike Thanos, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) plans to significantly alter Doom’s storyline to accommodate Robert Downey Jr.’s return. Recently, Anthony Russo revealed to The Times that Iron Man’s death will play a role in shaping Doom’s character, stating “there’s nobody else in the world who could play this character the way [Downey Jr.]’s about to.” This departure from a more direct adaptation of Doom from comic books to the big screen presents a risk, as the MCU’s interpretation inspired by Iron Man could unravel if not executed effectively.

Beyond causing challenges for Robert Downey Jr.’s portrayal of Doom in Avengers: Doomsday, his sudden transformation into the main antagonist is an unconventional route. Unlike Josh Brolin, who had a minor role in Guardians of the Galaxy and made appearances as Thanos in Avengers: Age of Ultron’s mid-credits scene before becoming the central figure in Avengers: Infinity War, Downey Jr. has no prior experience with Doom.

The introduction of Doom also seems like an attempt to win back disenchanted fans and rectify mistakes made by dismissing Jonathan Majors and removing Kang the Conqueror from the Multiverse Saga. While this shift was not within Downey Jr.’s power, the suddenness of Doom’s appearance in the story may disadvantage him in Avengers: Doomsday.

How Robert Downey Jr.’s Doom Can Become the MCU’s Best Big Bad

To make Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom surpass Brolin’s Thanos as the standout villain in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), it is crucial that he sets himself apart from Iron Man, even though Doomsday’s character shares some similarities with Tony Stark. In essence, Robert Downey Jr. should not portray Tony Stark under a Doom mask. Instead, the version of Victor von Doom must come across as an original and distinct personality rather than just an evil imitation of Stark. If Downey Jr. manages to achieve this feat and proves the critics wrong, Doctor Doom could potentially dethrone Brolin as the MCU’s most memorable big bad.

Although the MCU has faced some missteps in its film production with “Captain America: Brave New World” and “The Marvels”, it’s proven that it can excel when the challenges are greatest, as seen with “Infinity War” and “Endgame”. The Russo brothers and the MCU are pushing their creative bond to its limits in “Avengers: Doomsday”, a task that won’t be straightforward given the immense success of these previous films. As for Downey Jr.’s portrayal of Doom, it might not outshine Brolin’s Thanos, but fans can expect an exhilarating showdown – one that may not surpass the epic heights of Thanos and past Avengers movies, but will surely offer a captivating spectacle.

Avengers: Doomsday will open in theaters on May 1, 2026.

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2025-04-20 01:40