AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY Director Says Robert Downey Jr. Is "Writing Backstory" For His Take On Doctor Doom

AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY Director Says Robert Downey Jr. Is "Writing Backstory" For His Take On Doctor Doom

In a new interview, Avengers: Doomsday co-director Anthony Russo speaks about Robert Downey Jr.'s dedication to playing Doctor Doom, revealing that the actor is very hand-on when it comes to the character.

By MarkCassidy - Mar 05, 2025 03:03 PM EST
Filed Under: Avengers: Doomsday

Joe and Anthony Russo are doing the press rounds to promote their latest movie, Netflix's The Electric State, but talk has inevitably turned to their imminent Marvel Cinematic Universe return for the next two Avengers movies.

While speaking to ET, the filmmakers were asked about the shock announcement that Robert Downey Jr. would be leaving Tony Stark behind to play the villainous Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday.

Anthony revealed that the actor is very hands-on with this role and has fully "immersed himself" in Doom, to the point that he's actually writing some backstory for the character.

"He's writing backstory, costume ideas... he just really loves rich three-dimensional characters, and I think he sees a real opportunity here."

We wouldn't read too much into this - at least, we can't imagine Downey Jr. has decided to completely alter Doom's origin.

In a previous interview, Russo praised RDJ's dedication to exploring "a new character like Victor Von Doom, it doesn't get more exciting."

Is he playing a completely new character, though? Based on everything that's been revealed so far (which isn't much), Downey Jr. has indeed been cast as the Doctor Doom and not an evil Stark variant, but rumors persist that he will be joined by the likes of Chris Evans (Steve Rogers) and Scarlett Johansson (Natasha Romanoff) playing villainous versions of their OG Avengers.

The Russos were also asked whether they had any Marvel characters in mind for The Electric State star Millie Bobby Brown, and it sounds like they do have a few ideas.

Avengers: Doomsday arrives in theaters on May 1, 2026, followed by Avengers: Secret Wars on May 7, 2027. Both films will be directed by the Russo brothers, who also make their MCU return after helming Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.

"Being able to create stories and explore characters within the Marvel Universe fulfilled a life-long dream of ours, and we discovered a powerful connection with audiences in each film that we made. We’re thrilled to collaborate once again with Kevin, Lou and the entire Marvel team to bring this epic adventure in storytelling to new and surprising places for both the fans and ourselves”, said The Russos in a statement after the SDCC panel.

Both movies are expected to shoot (almost) back-to-back, with production kicking off this April in the UK.

Hayley Atwell Set To Return As Peggy Carter For AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY And SECRET WARS
Related:

Hayley Atwell Set To Return As Peggy Carter For AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY And SECRET WARS

AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY Directors Wish Robert Downey Jr. A Happy 60th Birthday With Awesome Doctor Doom Fan Art
Recommended For You:

AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY Directors Wish Robert Downey Jr. A Happy 60th Birthday With Awesome Doctor Doom Fan Art

DISCLAIMER: As a user generated site and platform, ComicBookMovie.com is protected under the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) and "Safe Harbor" provisions.

This post was submitted by a user who has agreed to our Terms of Service and Community Guidelines. ComicBookMovie.com will disable users who knowingly commit plagiarism, piracy, trademark or copyright infringement. Please CONTACT US for expeditious removal of copyrighted/trademarked content. CLICK HERE to learn more about our copyright and trademark policies.

Note that ComicBookMovie.com, and/or the user who contributed this post, may earn commissions or revenue through clicks or purchases made through any third-party links contained within the content above.

1 2
GirshwinDavies
GirshwinDavies - 3/5/2025, 3:05 PM
Dillan's Cream
harryba11zack
harryba11zack - 3/5/2025, 3:07 PM
Robert Downey Jr. Is "Writing Backstory"......its already there just pick up the phucking comic book.
dragon316
dragon316 - 3/5/2025, 5:10 PM
@harryba11zack - probably has not read any comics play any character in marvel movies not all people do in movies and fans end up liking them as characters for it reading comics
HashTagSwagg
HashTagSwagg - 3/5/2025, 3:09 PM
Why is the actor doing the writer's jobs?
Wahhvacado
Wahhvacado - 3/5/2025, 4:00 PM
@HashTagSwagg - With some of the writing lately maybe it's better than who they have had in the writers room
HashTagSwagg
HashTagSwagg - 3/5/2025, 4:02 PM
@Wahhvacado - True, though that sounds horrible, his ad libs in iron man 2 were more miss than hits.
Usernametaken
Usernametaken - 3/6/2025, 9:57 AM
@HashTagSwagg - Actors do that but not because those backstory will end up being scenes in the movie.

It's to help themselves flesh out their characters more. They fill in blanks to zero-in on how to portray the character best.

Tarantino does this too for some of his characters.
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 3/5/2025, 3:16 PM
I doubt he’s actually writing the backstory before anyone here complains about that or them not using the 616 backstory or any other version of it from the comics…

Writing backstory for their characters is part of the process for an actor and many acting schools consider it to be invaluable to building a character hence RDJ doing that.

For more info if interested , you can read here..

https://actingmagazine.com/2019/02/what-is-a-backstory/

Anyway , I’m glad to atleast hear that he seems excited to take on the role which makes me further believe this is him playing a new character entirely (which Marvel has said from day one) rather then an evil Tony variant which would have been the worst route out of the 2 imo.
Clintthahamster
Clintthahamster - 3/5/2025, 3:26 PM
@TheVisionary25 - User Comment Image
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 3/5/2025, 3:27 PM
@Clintthahamster - User Comment Image
SpideyPuffsMJ
SpideyPuffsMJ - 3/5/2025, 3:18 PM
I see this more and more and am not sure if everyone is really qualified enough. These actors are getting so famous and carry enough weight now; it's not enough to become a producer; they're now seeming to write a lot of the projects they act in.
Apophis71
Apophis71 - 3/5/2025, 5:02 PM
@SpideyPuffsMJ - It kinda depends

For one thing some actors are very good at it

Second the director doesn't have to include any of it in the narrative

Finaly this tends to be more about the actor looking at what is in the narrative of the film he is set to appear in, and the source material, and building their own headcanon to help fully embrace the role with almost non of their headcanon backstory actualy being included in the story AT ALL (but could result in a limited series tie in comic, but as it won't be 616 or likely any other prior source designation version it can be ignored).
Usernametaken
Usernametaken - 3/6/2025, 9:58 AM
@Apophis71 - exactly.
theFUZZ008
theFUZZ008 - 3/5/2025, 3:25 PM
User Comment Image
TheWinkler
TheWinkler - 3/5/2025, 3:28 PM
Hell, Heath Ledger did this to a certain degree with Joker.
ToldYaSo
ToldYaSo - 3/5/2025, 6:03 PM
@TheWinkler - Great observation! There have been a few cinematic Jokers, but Ledger achieved singularity by throwing in the vocal and facial "tics" that made his portrayal singular.
TheWinkler
TheWinkler - 3/5/2025, 8:21 PM
@ToldYaSo - The tics are EXACTLY where my head went. It's not a rewrite of the character, but an addition to his take on the character.
ProfessorWhy
ProfessorWhy - 3/5/2025, 3:54 PM
I think with Doom, it's more about choosing the different aspects of his multiple origin stories and putting them in context with the mcu. But mostly I'm sure it's just something for RDJ to focus on and draw inspiration/ motivation from
Apophis71
Apophis71 - 3/5/2025, 5:06 PM
@ProfessorWhy - Think that is it, if the writers haven't created a backstory with all the differing comic stories some of which are contradictory and/or alternate timeline ones then likely just RDJ getting it clear in his own head what kind of Doom his is so he can give greater depth to his acting (without any of his head canon past being disclosed at all unless narratively appropriate).
dragon316
dragon316 - 3/5/2025, 5:16 PM
@ProfessorWhy - good answer we don’t know what version of doom he’s doing / he playing could be anyone 616, ultimate doom, ultimate 2 doom, 2099 doom, is there version of doom in ultimate 2 where mr fantastic dr doom?
TheRationalNerd
TheRationalNerd - 3/5/2025, 3:57 PM
Got a bad feeling about this.
ModHaterSLADE
ModHaterSLADE - 3/5/2025, 3:59 PM
As long as they don't take away from his character too much I don't have a problem with it, the MCU is a blend of 616 and Ultimate takes on the characters anyway.
Thing94
Thing94 - 3/5/2025, 4:24 PM
Ummm his backstory is in the comics
Apophis71
Apophis71 - 3/5/2025, 5:10 PM
@Thing94 - Which one, there are multiple differing timelines in the comics and many retcons, if his isn't from MCU 616 and even if he is the MCU isn't close to being source accurate to it's 616 then that is a confusing place for an actor to grasp onto exactly how much history and which history he is working with for inspiration as to how he embodies the character.
ToldYaSo
ToldYaSo - 3/5/2025, 6:04 PM
@Thing94 - BUH-BUH-BUH-BINGO!
YonnyLayna
YonnyLayna - 3/5/2025, 8:33 PM
@Apophis71 - But Mcu is better when is more comicbook acurate, when is not they tend to fáil or end with bland takes.
Apophis71
Apophis71 - 3/6/2025, 5:24 AM
@YonnyLayna - Non of it has been though, based on drawing from many asects over various periods and versions of characters sure but never fully accurate to one specific version or story.

I was however more talking about a totality where Peter wasn't bitten in the 60's and all the rest meaning that not all of a source accurate backstory for Doom could be true if he was the 616 version and if he isn't which version is he will be a question unless going to all versions in all comics and working out what bits in what order fits best for the character set to turn up in Doomsday so that RDJ can understand the motivations and such like of his variant.
abd00bie
abd00bie - 3/5/2025, 4:35 PM
He better not be an anti-hero/good guy ..
dragon316
dragon316 - 3/5/2025, 5:13 PM
Which version of doom is he doing ultimate doom , 616 doom , ultimate universe 2 doom , doom 2099 most of marvel movies is regular characters with ultimate costumes looks ultimate nick fury good example sam Jackson .
TheJester187
TheJester187 - 3/5/2025, 5:40 PM
Man sold his soul for this role.
Clintthahamster
Clintthahamster - 3/6/2025, 7:57 AM
@TheJester187 - But he'll be able to buy another house, so, you know, kind of a wash.
OrgasmicPotatoe
OrgasmicPotatoe - 3/5/2025, 5:48 PM
...ugh, this is gonna suck, isn't it ?
ToldYaSo
ToldYaSo - 3/5/2025, 6:06 PM
@OrgasmicPotatoe - Burnt weenie sandwich???
OrgasmicPotatoe
OrgasmicPotatoe - 3/5/2025, 8:38 PM
@ToldYaSo - Why does it hurt when I pee ?
Deadinside
Deadinside - 3/6/2025, 8:24 AM
@OrgasmicPotatoe -
I used to have the same problem until my doctor told me, "Stop holding your d!ck with a fork...!" ☮️😜
OrgasmicPotatoe
OrgasmicPotatoe - 3/6/2025, 8:40 AM
@Deadinside - What else am I gonna do, touch it with my hands ? That'd be gay as [frick]
Deadinside
Deadinside - 3/6/2025, 1:16 PM
@OrgasmicPotatoe -
Oven mitts are nice & soft...Just sayin'...! ☮️😉
1stDalek
1stDalek - 3/5/2025, 6:11 PM
It's a valid process for any actor to undertake. The movie won't have the space to path out his journey from origin to where he is now, likely a 50+ YO Doom, so him trying to path it out and really understand where his take comes from could help him bring some depth to the role.
Clintthahamster
Clintthahamster - 3/6/2025, 7:59 AM
@1stDalek - Yep, this is just part of some actors' process. But I've given up on most of the folks around here knowing a single thing about how any aspect of the filmmaking process actually works. They're just sitting there with their green visors hoping that movies fail, for some reason.
1 2

Please log in to post comments.

Don't have an account?
Please Register.

View Recorder