Marvel Studios introduced huge information to San Diego Comedian Con’s Corridor H panel by unveiling the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s up to date launch schedule. Nevertheless, the most important tremor hit when the panelists introduced Robert Downey Jr.’s return to the MCU, not as Iron Man, however as Victor von Doom.

The now Oscar-winning actor is returning to play legendary Marvel villain Physician Doom, simply in time for the Incredible 4 to make their long-awaited MCU debut. This casting sheds a lot mild on Marvel Studio’s plans for the MCU’s future, so let’s break down what Downey’s return means and what sort of Doom the ex-Iron Man may play.

The brand new Doom

Whereas this yr’s Corridor H shared some new information about Captain America: Courageous New World, Thunderbolts, and Incredible 4: First Steps, we additionally realized that Joe and Anthony Russo are again to direct two new Avengers movies: Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars.

A choir of robed, steel-masked figures stepped on stage to herald the latter movie’s announcement. Joe and Anthony, ever the showmen, confused that solely “the best actor on the planet” may play somebody as charismatic and complicated as Victor von Doom. Reduce to Downey Jr. stepping out from the meeting and unmasking himself earlier than a roaring crowd.

Doom’s MCU incarnation may go in two completely different instructions

Some praised Downey’ Jr.’s casting as a welcome return to kind, however others denounced it. Most, I think about, had been simply confused. As Iron Man, Downey Jr. was the long-time face of the MCU, and lots of followers are questioning how the franchise will deal with the truth that its new huge unhealthy has the identical face as its best hero.

If I needed to guess, Marvel’s moving into two methods with this. The primary includes the multiverse, which the MCU has centered on all through Phases 4 and 5. The MCU’s Physician Doom could possibly be a variant of Tony Stark from one other universe who broke unhealthy and used his unbelievable mind for evil. Downey Jr.’s  Physician Doom may come from the retro-futuristic alternate universe that Incredible 4: First Steps’ set in, so we may even see Downey’s Doom debut there earlier than making his manner into the MCU’s “Sacred Timeline.”

Alternatively, Downey’s Doom might need nothing to do with Tony Stark. Downey Jr.’s an amazing actor, one thing his Oscar-winning efficiency in Oppenheimer proved past a doubt. Victor von Doom spends most of his time behind a masks, so we’d by no means see Downey Jr.’s face on this new function. Going this route would enable the MCU to protect lots of the distinctive and thrilling components of Victor’s historical past, together with his profoundly private rivalry with Reed Richards and his tragedy-born affinity for magic.