RDJ Opens Up About the Effort That Was Required to Bring Him Back to the MCU as Doctor Doom

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As a long-time Marvel fan with a deep appreciation for Robert Downey Jr.’s exceptional acting skills and his iconic portrayal of Tony Stark, I must say that the news of him reprising his role as Doctor Doom has left me intrigued and excited.

As a long-time Marvel fan who grew up watching Robert Downey Jr.’s portrayal of Iron Man, I must admit that I was initially taken aback by the news of his return to the MCU as Doctor Doom. However, having followed RDJ’s career for decades and witnessing his incredible acting versatility, I find myself intrigued rather than dismayed at this unexpected turn of events. While it will certainly be strange not seeing him in the red and gold armor, I trust that the Marvel team has a solid plan for this transformation, and I’m eager to see how RDJ brings his unique charm and talent to such an iconic villainous role. I can’t wait to see what unfolds at the San Diego Comic-Con!

In a recent interview on The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter Podcast, Downey confirmed his return and shared the story of how he was persuaded to reprise his role in the franchise that revived his career.

Robert Downey Jr. recently disclosed his intentions for extending his involvement in Disney’s theme parks and location-based entertainment beyond the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In conversations with Kevin Feige and brainstorming fresh character concepts such as Victor Von Doom, Downey presented his concept to Bob Iger. Iger’s positive reaction sparked a tour of the Imagineering Campus, where Downey and Feige were amazed by the advanced technology, although details are still kept confidential.

Around about a year ago, I felt a strong inclination to approach Bob Iger with an idea. Given my ongoing friendships with Kevin Feige, Jon Favreau, and the Russo Brothers, as well as our mutual business endeavors, I found myself in a unique position within this circle of colleagues. I wanted to leverage this connection for something beyond the Cinematic Universe, specifically to contribute to what was happening in the Parks and their location-based entertainment.

Susan and I were sitting down with Feige at one point and he said, ‘It just keeps occurring to me that if you were to come back…’ and Susan was like, ‘Wait, wait, come back as what?’ Then we both realised over time that it was another thing that just disproves any doubt anyone could ever have about that guy, a very sophisticated creative thinker, about how can we not go backwards, how can we not disappoint expectations, how we can continue to beat expectations? And he brought up Victor Von Doom. I looked up this character and I was like, ‘Wow.’ Later, Kevin goes, ‘Let’s get Victor Von Doom right. Let’s get that right.’

Later on, I asked Kevin if I could discuss some things with Bob Iger. He inquired about the topic, to which I replied that it encompassed everything. Earlier, I had visited Iger’s house and struggled to articulate that experience as it was one of many incredible moments in my life. When I shared this with him, he simply said, “I like it.” This prompted me to visit the Imagineering Campus, where Feige and I were both left awestruck by what we saw. It’s difficult to express, but what’s happening there now surpasses my expectations of what was even conceivable.

As a gaming fan, I’m left guessing about Robert Downey Jr.’s comeback as Doctor Doom. The buzz hints at him potentially embodying an altered version of the character, hailing from another dimension—maybe even the realm where the Fantastic Four are rumored to debut in the MCU.

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2024-08-22 12:14