Avengers Secret Wars - November 7, 2025

[The Buffinator]

I woke up this morning really hoping that I just dreamed that RDJ would be playing Doom. If they want evil Tony Stark, why not just make it Superior Iron Man- something tells me that's what we're essentially getting anyway.

Perhaps this will be akin to the Mandarin scenario and after this alternate reality bad Tony Stark shows up the REAL Dr. Doom (of whatever reality everyone is in lol) gets pissed off and starts wreaking havoc.

 

[xipotec]

Man can't make anyone here happy...

 

[jye4ever]

It is a blatant move of desperation, yikes.

All of that Deadpool and Wolverine goodwill already wasted and it’s only been 3 days after release sheesh

 

[Bgnyc007]

Wow HT I’m sure wet their pants with all the RDJ sculpts from IM that gonna be used for doom. Be prepared to have all kinds of doom merchandise

 

[jye4ever]

 

[wormlander]

Maybe that's not the most apt analogy since RDJ is an excellent actor and more than owns his role as Stark, but people want Classic Doom™ and they've been waiting for decades. We might still get him if it's a multiverse deal, but leading with this announcement is a little tone-deaf.

Nah, "People" don't even know what classic Doom is. I'd say this is a very smart attempt at course correcting for the MCU. They cannot bring Iron Man back to life, but at least they can recast their most beloved actor for another role. Just like the Deadpool & Wolverine combo the Avengers & Downey dito is guaranteed to put those butts back in the seats...

 

[wormlander]

Amandla Stenberg announced as Galactus.

MODS!... This guy's clearly asking for another ban...

 

[jye4ever]

MODS!... This guy's clearly asking for another ban...

 

[loki2371]

The biggest travesty is we STILL will not have a proper Dr. Doom on the big screen...

3rd times the charm, My ass...

It's amazing that the most accurate on screen Dr. Doom is from Roger Corman!! From a movie that was never officially released no less, and made with a total budget for less than what they are most likely paying RDJ.

I hope the MCU continues to falter. And most of RDJ's compensation is on the backend, so he looks like a fool when this doesn't make huge BO like I'm sure they are thinking it will just because they are including him. Also shows he's a man with no integrity and will do anything for the $$ since nothing he's done since has made him near what his MCU paydays were. He's not doing this for the 'fans".

 

[chrisstbh]

Doctor Doom: I hate you 3000

 

[jye4ever]

What are the Avengers going to do when they see that it’s a guy that looks like Stark?

 

[lordnastrond]

This may be the single worst casting decision I have ever seen.
I have seen casting bad actors for great roles, I have seen great actors cast for the wrong roles, I have seen controversial actors cast in roles endangering the film, I have seen actors cast in movies where they actively hate the project and it shows.
I have never, never seen a casting choice that simultaneously ruins a character fans have been waiting for decades for, AND diminishes the legacy of one of the all-time great fictional characters/movies and endings AND conveys an utter tone deafness about what the audience is looking for AND conveys a humiliating level of desperation.

It doesnt matter if he is good in the role or not, he will be seen as an Iron Man variant, or be compared to Iron Man, or it will be weird when the characters DONT compare him to Iron Man - meaning Doom and his impact and legacy are already in the shadow of Tony Stark - diminishing YET AGAIN one of the all time great comic book villains - and worst of all diminishing the one villain fans have been crying out for a decent portrayal of for decades.
THEN there is the fact this completely undermines the ending of Endgame and the awesome culmination of the only 10+ year dozen film multi-billion dollar saga in cinematic history.
THEN there is the fact that this just SCREAMS - we are going full tilt into the multiverse stuff despite EVERYONE being over it by now.
THEN there is just the reality that this move signals loud and clear Marvel's panic and desire to replicate its own past successes in the most pathetic way possible.

 

[Dave_W]

What are the Avengers going to do when they see that it’s a guy that looks like Stark?

 

[lordnastrond]

What are the Avengers going to do when they see that it’s a guy that looks like Stark?

 

[chrisstbh]

What are the Avengers going to do when they see that it’s a guy that looks like Stark?

What Avengers.

 

[jye4ever]

While it certainly reeks of desperation part of me is curious to witness stark doom dismantle the avengers.

 

[Sassafras]

This may be the single worst casting decision I have ever seen.
I have seen casting bad actors for great roles, I have seen great actors cast for the wrong roles, I have seen controversial actors cast in roles endangering the film, I have seen actors cast in movies where they actively hate the project and it shows.
I have never, never seen a casting choice that simultaneously ruins a character fans have been waiting for decades for, AND diminishes the legacy of one of the all-time great fictional characters/movies and endings AND conveys an utter tone deafness about what the audience is looking for AND conveys a humiliating level of desperation.

It doesnt matter if he is good in the role or not, he will be seen as an Iron Man variant, or be compared to Iron Man, or it will be weird when the characters DONT compare him to Iron Man - meaning Doom and his impact and legacy are already in the shadow of Tony Stark - diminishing YET AGAIN one of the all time great comic book villains - and worst of all diminishing the one villain fans have been crying out for a decent portrayal of for decades.
THEN there is the fact this completely undermines the ending of Endgame and the awesome culmination of the only 10+ year dozen film multi-billion dollar saga in cinematic history.
THEN there is the fact that this just SCREAMS - we are going full tilt into the multiverse stuff despite EVERYONE being over it by now.
THEN there is just the reality that this move signals loud and clear Marvel's panic and desire to replicate its own past successes in the most pathetic way possible.

Not gonna reject all this out of hand. The Russos are likely to bring folks who can actually write a script that isn't stale or worse. For all we know, RDJ who is an accomplished actor, views it as an interesting challenge. Thunderbolts isn't out yet, but it sounds like fun. Simu Liu's Shang Chi is charismatic. etc.

My fav MCU remains WS/CW anyway e.g. grounded narratives. I'll never be as into all the multiverse stuff, or "what if". IMO to a degree the Russos dropped the ball a bit with End Game, but then again that scene of Cap facing Thanos had the whole theater cheering including me.

Anyway it's a couple of years off. Besides, folks may want to consider who else might become Doom, and that thought isn't exactly comforting these days.

I hope the MCU continues to falter. And most of RDJ's compensation is on the backend, so he looks like a fool when this doesn't make huge BO like I'm sure they are thinking it will just because they are including him. Also shows he's a man with no integrity and will do anything for the $$ since nothing he's done since has made him near what his MCU paydays were. He's not doing this for the 'fans"

Not sure how many actors/actresses do anything for the fans; Mark Hamill is the only one I know of who outright said he was aware of fans - joke - potentially showing up on the lawn. Maybe Henry Cavill. I'd guess RDJ likes the challenge. He's not stupid. He doesn't need the money. He's won multiple awards.

(Wow, didn't know how much I'd been slapped around by the MCU....I expect nothing, these days. Or maybe I'm still too shell shocked from watching the ROP trailer. )

 

[chrisstbh]

They’re 100% giving him a Kylo Ren mask for the voice

 

[ZE_501]

Nah, "People" don't even know what classic Doom is.

This is true. If it wasn't for 'Victor' aka 'DarthKostis' I wouldn't have a clue who he was either. I didn't know anything about Iron Man until the MCU began.

 

[ZE_501]

with current era marvel,
a Good standalone fantastic four movie would not be possible. nothing really good since end game

Well that's just it ... they shouldn't have tried this current era stuff because most of it falls short. Setting the established MCU aside as background and focusing on a really great FF movie may have been the better move to usher in a new era.