Marvel’s retooling with Robert Downey Jr. a risk worth taking | Opinion

Fans hyped for the release of “Deadpool & Wolverine” and the possibility of storylines being shifted — via the multiverse — were likely disappointed. At the top of that wish list was Deadpool and Wolverine using a portal, returning to the final battle at the end of 2019’s “Avengers: Endgame” and saving Tony Stark/Iron Man from his heroic death. Spoiler: It didn’t happen. In fact, not much concerning past Marvel Cinematic Universe films was impacted in “Deadpool & Wolverine.” But let’s not worry about a film that reportedly made almost a half-billion dollars at the global box office on its […]

Fans hyped for the release of “Deadpool & Wolverine” and the possibility of storylines being shifted — via the multiverse — were likely disappointed.

At the top of that wish list was Deadpool and Wolverine using a portal, returning to the final battle at the end of 2019’s “Avengers: Endgame” and saving Tony Stark/Iron Man from his heroic death.

Spoiler: It didn’t happen.

In fact, not much concerning past Marvel Cinematic Universe films was impacted in “Deadpool & Wolverine.” But let’s not worry about a film that reportedly made almost a half-billion dollars at the global box office on its opening weekend.

‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ review: Disney’s fun team-up romp retains R-rated zest

Instead, the bigger news last weekend came out of San Diego Comic-Con, where it was revealed Robert Downey Jr. — who famously played Stark in nine MCU films — will return … but not as Iron Man.

Instead, Downey Jr. will pivot to the dark side and play Victor Von Doom, aka Dr. Doom, who is one of Marvel’s most iconic villains.

Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige also announced that Northeast Ohio natives and brothers Anthony and Joe Russo — filmmakers whose MCU directing credits include  “Endgame” and its 2016 predecessor, “Avengers: Infinity War” — would helm “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars,” set for May 1, 2026 and May 7, 2027, respectively.

Plus, he offered updates on upcoming films “Captain America: Brave New World” and “Thunderbolts*,” and two other anticipated films, “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” and “Avengers: Secret Wars.”

Presenting Victor Von Doom.

Robert Downey Jr. stars in Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Doomsday, in theaters May 2026. #SDCC pic.twitter.com/xWQx9owZjG

— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) July 28, 2024

The biggest reaction in San Diego was for “Avengers: Doomsday” and the unveiling of Downey Jr., who took off a Dr. Doom mask and revealed himself to a fired-up crowd at Comic-Con’s Hall H.

It was a stunning moment and big-time pivot for Marvel, which moved away from controversial actor Jonathan Majors, who had been set to reign as the villain Kang in an upcoming Avengers film. Since then, “Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania” — which co-starred Majors as Kang — underperformed at the box office and Majors was arrested and convicted of assault. Marvel followed by firing Majors.

Enter Downey Jr. to save the day. However, his return to the MCU — while exciting for the majority of fans — provides more questions than answers. Let’s try to break it down:

The most obvious question is this: Will Downey Jr. really be portraying Von Doom? Marvel’s “Infinity Saga” was a long, drawn-out series of films that paid off huge with “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Avengers: Endgame.” The storyline centered around Downey Jr.’s Iron Man and Chris Evans’ Captain America and came to a head against the iconic villain Thanos, played by Josh Brolin.

Marvel’s next saga — coined the “Multiverse Saga” — hasn’t fared anywhere near as well. The time-traveling villain Kang was set to headline, but now it’s Downey Jr. with his role reversed from hero to villain. What exactly is in play here?

With the multiverse, anything and everything seems possible. Marvel’s sandbox is huge and expansive. Fan theories have run amok since the Downey Jr. announcement, but the most popular is a big-time bait-and-switch: While many expect it will be a variant of Tony Stark being plucked from another timeline, it could, in reality, be the actor is playing Von Doom, not Stark.

How and why that happens will be dissected from now until “Avengers: Doomsday” hits the big screen.

It seems like a cheap trick, but with the multiverse, that seems like the most plausible scenario. Simply bringing in Downey Jr. as Von Doom doesn’t make a lot of sense. Here’s the thing: Never say never.

(Warning: Some “Deadpool & Wolverine spoilers lie ahead.)

Consider Henry Cavill, who played Superman in a series of DC films. He’s been rumored as a potential candidate to be the next Wolverine in the MCU, and he makes a cameo as a variant Wolverine in “Deadpool & Wolverine.”

If Cavill-as-Wolverine becomes a reality, it would be a huge shake-up in the MCU, but Downey Jr.’s return — as a villain no less — is unmatched.

There’s no denying since “Endgame” that the MCU — save for the Tom Holland-led “Spider-Man” films — has been stuck in the mud. Fan apathy, box office results below Marvel’s expectations, disappointing Disney+ content and overall stale storytelling have contributed to its lackluster state.

With the multiverse, the possibilities with Downey Jr. as Von Doom are plentiful, but Fiege and Marvel must stick the landing. How Von Doom enters the “sacred timeline” — as described in “Deadpool & Wolverine” and the Disney+ series “Loki” — could be a deal-breaker. If the fans don’t buy it, that could be a problem for Marvel.

Von Doom has long been associated with the Fantastic Four, so when “First Steps” is released a little less than a year from now— it’s on the books for July 25 — the pressure really will be on concerning Downey Jr.’s return. It’s reasonable to expect Von Doom at the very least being mentioned in “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” which will be set in the 1960s.

At that point, excitement for Downey Jr.’s return to the MCU will surely be at a fever pitch.

What to expect about his return is really anyone’s guess outside Downey’s inner circle, Fiege and other higher-ups at Marvel.

Despite the hoopla from Comic-Con, Downey’s return hasn’t been universally accepted. Suggestions that Marvel is in desperation mode are fair. But with Downey Jr., it’s a wishing well that paid off big the last time around. Give Marvel credit in this respect: It read the room and knew it needed a change. Marvel’s risk is much easier with Downey Jr. by its side.

Time will tell if Downey 2.0 is a risk that pays off again.