2024 SDCC MCU Hall H Panel News - Robert Downey Jr. And The The Russo Brothers Return To The MCU With Avengers: Doomsday

[Atlantis]

On 7/29/2024 at 9:59 AM, Lord_Scareglow said:

"... was really hoping for someone like Mads, he was high on my list and would have made a great doom IMO, but Sadly he was wasted on Kaecilius therefore he's gotta be out, although he's one of the few actors I'd probably wave off my hate of multi casting for, I would have loved someone like Viggo Mortenson, Cillian Murphy, Cristoph Waltz, Micheal Fassbender, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, I had hopes they'd cast someone new and interesting not dip into their bag and grab out Iron Man...sheesh like bugs me to no end...."

I'm not understanding why Mads is out because he already played Kaceillius, but Downey, who played Iron Man, isn't? 

If they ever did live action Tomb of Dracula, I can see Mads crushing it....

[JohnF]

I don't know how to feel about this.... RDJ is Iron Man. Now he's gonna be Doom in the same universe. All I'll be seeing is Stark whenever he'll be on screen. It's also a missed opportunity considering all the actors who could've taken the part. 

[Satam]

On 7/28/2024 at 3:26 AM, leokearon said:

Sounds desperate.

Desperate...cynical...gimmicky at best. Yeah.

[AndyL]

On 7/29/2024 at 11:28 AM, Atlantis said:

The negativity is warranted. This isn't an idea most fans want to see. Its that simple. And given any number of excellent actors out there (Mads Mikkelsen for one), going to Downey smells of desperation. 

Will it ultimately work? Who knows, maybe it could. But these film projects are multi-million dollar endeavors; before one risks that, one should have the best possible ingredients in place.  Academy award not withstanding, I just don't see him pulling off DOOM. Most of us didn't have to wait till it was onscreen to know that the Eternals was not going to be a good idea. 

Oh he could pull it off. In a vacuum. If there was no reference to judge him against how he played Stark. But now everyone is going to compare his Stark to his Doom. Had he never done Iron Man and never been epic and iconic as Tony Stark he would no doubt kill it as Doom. But there lies somewhat of a paradox. Had he never done IM would he ever have cleaned up his lifestyle and become the RDJ he is today and would his name have been large enough to receive the faith Marvel has in him to get this train back on the track?

Would Tom Cruise be the one playing Doom right now?

[TheArrow]

On 7/30/2024 at 4:48 PM, AndyL said:

Oh he could pull it off. In a vacuum. If there was no reference to judge him against how he played Stark. But now everyone is going to compare his Stark to his Doom. Had he never done Iron Man and never been epic and iconic as Tony Stark he would no doubt kill it as Doom. But there lies somewhat of a paradox. Had he never done IM would he ever have cleaned up his lifestyle and become the RDJ he is today and would his name have been large enough to receive the faith Marvel has in him to get this train back on the track?

Would Tom Cruise be the one playing Doom right now?

Would Dr. Doom jump on couches?

Would RDJ's Doom stiff Luke Cage for $50??

This..............this must be pondered......

[since83]

On 7/30/2024 at 1:54 PM, JohnF said:

I don't know how to feel about this.... RDJ is Iron Man. Now he's gonna be Doom in the same universe. All I'll be seeing is Stark whenever he'll be on screen. It's also a missed opportunity considering all the actors who could've taken the part. 

Not if he keeps his mask on like he should!!!

[Outsiders]

Variety has reported that the agreements for "Avengers: Doomsday" and "Avengers: Secret Wars" have been finalized. Marvel has invested $80 million to secure the directorial services of Anthony and Joe Russo, in addition to a higher undisclosed sum to bring Robert Downey Jr. on board.

The contract for the Russo brothers does not include back-end compensation; however, it features performance escalators that activate upon reaching the $750 million and $1 billion revenue marks. Furthermore, the brothers will produce both films under their AGBO production company, representing a shift for Marvel, as the studio typically prefers to collaborate with in-house producers rather than external ones.

Downey will enjoy perks such as private jet travel, dedicated security, and a complete "trailer encampment" similar to Tony Stark's lavish lifestyle.

[since83]

This right here is a big reason for the negativity. The budget is already almost 100 million, and they haven't even started a script! The Marvels budget was a big part of what ensured it was a flop. It's a HUGE reason I'm worried about Cap 4. What is it at? 350 million after reshoots? How in the Hell is that thing gonna succeed? 

[Hogun]

RDJ helped start the MCU. He deserves the big payment. As long as his performance as Doom is delivered on a complex anti-villain level, and they dive into his Romani background. I will be satisfied.

[AndyL]

On 7/30/2024 at 6:12 PM, TheArrow said:

Would Dr. Doom jump on couches?

Would RDJ's Doom stiff Luke Cage for $50??

This..............this must be pondered......

Lol. Ah......the multiverse awaits endless possibilities.

[JohnF]

On 7/31/2024 at 2:20 AM, since83 said:

Not if he keeps his mask on like he should!!!

The MCU has hardly cared about masks or helmets. I can see this Doom being unmasked for most of the time, which isn't what I prefer of course. 

[since83]

On 7/31/2024 at 12:49 PM, JohnF said:

The MCU has hardly cared about masks or helmets. I can see this Doom being unmasked for most of the time, which isn't what I prefer of course. 

For sure. Don't read my quote as upset at you or anything, definitely wasn't meant that way. But I'm sure your right. And that's what I'm afraid of. Doom not taking his mask off is so much part of his character, and he deserves the respect to the storytelling of the past decades. I don't think anyone can debate which Judge Dredd movie was better, and a big reason was the respect Urban showed by not taking off his helmet. I still cant get over Ghost having never revealed his face or name....ever, and then in the first few minutes of screen time taking off her helmet and saying, "hi I'm Ava Starr!"

Again, I can only cross my fingers that RDJ is committed enough to insist on not taking off the helmet, as it is part of his complex personality.

[JohnF]

On 7/31/2024 at 10:52 PM, since83 said:

For sure. Don't read my quote as upset at you or anything, definitely wasn't meant that way. But I'm sure your right. And that's what I'm afraid of. Doom not taking his mask off is so much part of his character, and he deserves the respect to the storytelling of the past decades. I don't think anyone can debate which Judge Dredd movie was better, and a big reason was the respect Urban showed by not taking off his helmet. I still cant get over Ghost having never revealed his face or name....ever, and then in the first few minutes of screen time taking off her helmet and saying, "hi I'm Ava Starr!"

Again, I can only cross my fingers that RDJ is committed enough to insist on not taking off the helmet, as it is part of his complex personality.

Don't worry, I didn't take it the wrong way.I agree with you and I really hope that RDJ doesn't take the mask off. 

[Ironspider428]

Lol, I feel like there's some spoilers in here for Thunderbolts at the very least.

[GarimusPrime]

The cast might actually outdo Endgame. Unless, of course, if most of these characters only get 30-second cameos.

[Hordak Rules]

No Hugh or Ryan. No Spidermen. No Hulk, she or otherwise. No Chris Evans or Jeremy Renner. Surprisingly no other Antman cast and not surprisingly, no GotG cast

[AndyL]

On 7/31/2024 at 2:52 PM, since83 said:

For sure. Don't read my quote as upset at you or anything, definitely wasn't meant that way. But I'm sure your right. And that's what I'm afraid of. Doom not taking his mask off is so much part of his character, and he deserves the respect to the storytelling of the past decades. I don't think anyone can debate which Judge Dredd movie was better, and a big reason was the respect Urban showed by not taking off his helmet. I still cant get over Ghost having never revealed his face or name....ever, and then in the first few minutes of screen time taking off her helmet and saying, "hi I'm Ava Starr!"

Again, I can only cross my fingers that RDJ is committed enough to insist on not taking off the helmet, as it is part of his complex personality.

I have strong feelings about this as well. I think there was a time when masks in movie were really prominent and important in forming characters. Think back to famous masked characters. Darth Vader, Jason Voorhees, Michael Myers, Cobra Commander, Etc. With those characters the mask was their identity. In this age of fame seeking and star power and the way Hollywood casts their characters I can't see that ever happening again. Think about Vader. If that movie was to happen today they would insist on casting a fairly big name and in turn expect their face to be known and shown and never film an entire movie or movies in a mask. This is what we're going to see with the upcoming Vader prequel series. I do think a large part of what ruined the Mandolorian was the breaking of the lore and having him remove the mask. Now whether that was due to the actors insistence or not is an area of contention but irrelevant at this point. The point is PP was getting a pretty big name by then and whether it was the actor or studio's decision they were going to make sure people knew who it was. Similarly I think Kylo Ren would have gone over much better if he wore his mask the entire movie but as we know they cast Adam Driver for his star power and they weren't about to put his face behind a mask. At least not for very long. And before anyone points out part of his development was associating the mask to Vader wearing or removing the mask was symbolic of the internal struggle on whether he was truly good or evil, I know. I get it. But they could have made it where he could remove his mask but never really shown his face. They could have done the maskless shots from behind like they did with Vader in the original movies. But nope. They made sure Kylo removed his mask almost immediately even though everyone already knew what actor was going to be playing the role. And he rarely put it on for any significant amount of time after that. There's just no mystery left.

With RDJ I think it could go either way. On one side I believe he is one of those actors who gets so committed to their role he may indeed insist on staying true to the character and keep the mask on. But also I can see it from Disney's point and knowing they cast RDJ for hist star power and mass appeal in the first place they would want his face out front all the time. In the end I do believe he will only don the mask sporadically throughout the movie or movies as he plays Doom. I'm guessing when Doom is first introduced the mask will already have been bonded to his face or his face severely damaged but the majority of the story will be told from the past about what happened leading up to that point which will be mostly be RDJ's face. I think Disney will have its way in the end and I think Disney's interest lies more with RDJ portraying some version of Doom and not necessarily Doctor Doom the character himself.

[Faust]

For the best. It'll only lead to more disappointment

[MarvelousFan87]

I wonder if this will lead to Ironman coming back into the MCU somehow and the real Dr. Doom is playing a trick?