IGN Readers Vote Robert Downey Jr. as Dr. Doom Was a Misstep for the MCU

This year’s SDCC was packed with surprises about upcoming MCU projects. Attendees in Hall H got an exclusive first look at footage from ‘Thunderbolts,’ ‘Fantastic Four: First Steps,’ and new scenes from ‘Captain America: Brave New World,’ which tease the upcoming introduction of adamantium to the MCU.

The biggest reveal of the night, however, was the rebranding of ‘Avengers: Kang Dynasty’ to ‘Avengers: Doomsday,’ along with the exciting news that Robert Downey Jr. is returning to the MCU—this time as Doctor Doom.

The decision clearly aimed to quickly move away from Kang and sever ties with Jonathan Majors. Majors, who was initially slated to be a central villain in several MCU projects following Thanos, was convicted of assault about six months ago. The high-profile case significantly impacted his career.

While fans have been petitioning for his reinstatement in the MCU, Disney likely wants to distance itself from a convicted actor. It’s evident that they needed a high-profile replacement to shift the storyline focus from Kang to Doctor Doom and divert fan attention.

The announcement received a mixed response. While many are excited to see RDJ and Doctor Doom in the MCU, a significant number of fans are disappointed by RDJ’s casting as the popular villain. They argue that other actors proposed on social media might have been a better fit for the role.

Several concerns have emerged. First, some fans believe this move is purely fan service, as there has been ongoing demand for RDJ’s return. Second, there are worries that the story will feel rushed, given that Kang was initially being set up as the ultimate villain.

Additionally, there are fears that Kevin Feige might undo one of the MCU’s most emotional moments—the sacrifice of Iron Man to save the universe from Thanos. A small group of fans is also expressing concern that Doctor Doom is being whitewashed, given that the character is of Romani descent in the source material. Lastly, Kang supporters are disappointed that Kang’s storyline might be cut short.

Regardless of the angle you choose to focus on, there are significant concerns about this casting choice. Personally, I agree that another actor might have been a better fit, but it is what it is.

On to the main topic, IGN recently conducted a brief survey asking fans for their opinions on the casting. Given IGN’s broad reach, they were able to gather a substantial amount of feedback.

According to the popular website, 163,152 fans across their social media platforms participated in the poll. The results indicate that a majority of fans are not in favor of Robert Downey Jr. playing Doctor Doom. Specifically, 43.6% support the choice, while 56.4% oppose it—a notable margin considering the large sample size.

Ironically, many comments on the post are actually welcoming RDJ’s casting. What’s your take on it? Share your thoughts in the comments below!