Robert Downey Jr., the actor synonymous with Tony Stark, recently shared a fascinating behind-the-scenes story about how he was approached for the role of Doctor Doom in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
In a candid conversation on The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter Podcast, Downey Jr. opened up about a casual discussion with Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige that evolved into his unexpected return to the MCU – this time as one of the franchise’s most iconic villains.
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A Year-Long Journey Back to Marvel
Reflecting on the early stages of his talks with Marvel, Downey Jr. revealed that the seeds for his return were planted about a year ago.
Despite stepping away from his role as Iron Man after Avengers: Endgame in 2019, Downey Jr. and Feige kept in touch.
Their friendship, along with close connections with other key figures like Jon Favreau and the Russo Brothers, kept the door open for future collaborations.
However, what eventually brought Downey Jr. back to the MCU was not just a routine conversation but an intriguing idea that began outside of the cinematic universe altogether.
“I had this instinct that I wanted to go to Bob Iger [Disney’s CEO] with an idea outside of the Cinematic Universe for how I could be of service to what’s going on in the Parks and all their location-based entertainment,” Downey Jr. shared.
This idea, which originated from a desire to contribute to Disney in a new and different way, led to a meeting between Downey Jr., his wife Susan, and Kevin Feige.
It was during this meeting that Feige floated the idea of Downey Jr. returning to the MCU – but with a twist.
The Birth of Doctor Doom
As the conversation unfolded, Susan Downey’s curiosity was piqued when Feige mentioned the possibility of Robert returning to Marvel.
“Susan was like, ‘Wait, wait, come back as what?’” Downey Jr. recalled.
At that moment, the conversation took a turn that neither of them had expected.
Feige brought up Victor von Doom, the legendary Marvel villain who has been portrayed several times on screen but never quite lived up to his full potential.
Downey Jr. admitted he wasn’t initially familiar with the character, but after looking into Doctor Doom’s background, he was captivated.
Feige’s vision for Downey Jr.’s return was clear: “Let’s get Victor von Doom right. Let’s get that right.”
This challenge to redefine and elevate one of Marvel’s most complex villains intrigued Downey Jr., setting the stage for what could be one of the most talked-about performances in the MCU’s future.
A Meeting with Bob Iger
Before finalizing anything, Downey Jr. felt compelled to discuss the idea further with Disney’s top brass.
“So then I said to Kevin, ‘Can I go talk to Bob Iger?’ He goes, ‘About?’ I go, ‘About everything,’” Downey Jr. recounted.
The actor described his visit to Iger’s home as one of the most memorable experiences of his career.
“I’ve had a lot of really cool experiences, but I go to Iger’s pad, we sit down, and he goes, ‘I like it.’ I was like, ‘He likes it.’”
The visit didn’t stop there, Downey Jr. and Feige later toured the Imagineering Campus, where they were both blown away by the creativity and innovation happening behind the scenes at Disney.
“Feige and I go to the Imagineering Campus and you want to talk about two guys that are not easy to have their minds blown, let alone at the same time…I can’t say too much, but what is going on there right now is so beyond my expectation of what was possible.”
The Road Ahead
While Downey Jr. couldn’t reveal too much about what’s next, the actor’s excitement about his role as Doctor Doom is palpable.
This journey, which began with a simple idea about contributing to Disney in a new way, has led to one of the most intriguing casting decisions in recent Marvel history. As the MCU continues to expand and explore new narratives, fans can look forward to seeing how Downey Jr. will bring Victor von Doom to life in a way that is sure to leave a lasting impact on the franchise.