Robert Downey Jr. reveals preparations for ‘Doctor Doom’ to exceed post-‘Endgame’ expectations

Arriving in theaters after two of the biggest box office and critical successes in recent history, such as *Infinity War* and *Ultimatum*, imposes a considerable burden. The production *Avengers: Doctor Doom* (Avengers: Doomsday) faces precisely this enormous expectation, and Robert Downey Jr., cast to give life to the villain Victor Von Doom, demonstrates full awareness of the enormity of the task at hand. It’s a rare challenge for any film franchise, where comparison to predecessors is not only inevitable, but intensified by the massive cultural impact they generated.

In a recent interview, the renowned actor spoke openly about how he has been managing the pressure of returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in a completely different role. Unlike the iconic Tony Stark, whose journey was developed over more than a decade, Doctor Doom arrives without the same time for prior narrative maturation. This condition differs from the careful construction of villains like Thanos, who had years of introduction until his rise in previous films.

To deal with this immense burden of expectations, Downey Jr. adopts a strategy that he himself describes as unique: seeking the perspective of the project’s directors.

Robert Downey Jr.’s method in building the villain

The performer shared his approach to the role, stating, “I’m quite peculiar in the sense that I try to stay as far away from a subjective experience of things as possible. So I try to think like the brothers. I try to feel like I’m in the script room. But eventually, there are so many big shoes to fill that I just have to ask, ‘What hasn’t been done as well as it could be?’ We’re always looking for that opportunity.”

The reference to the “brothers” is directed to directors Anthony and Joe Russo, the same duo who directed *Infinity War* and *Endgame*, and who now resume directing *Doomsday*. Previously, the filmmakers had said that the new film will have a “start from scratch”, despite being the 39th MCU feature and featuring the return of more than ten heroes.

Downey Jr. reiterated that the creative process to define the final version of his character involved considerable experimentation. He commented: “There was some experimentation. We had our moments of ‘Let’s change it here’. But we’ve come to a place that I think will more than satisfy. And it’s not even about how I executed it. It’s about the way it was structured and the other characters.”

The pressure was addressed even more explicitly by the actor. He pointed out that “There’s something happening in Doomsday and beyond that is literally the only antidote to ‘How do we make these movies not be a disappointment after Infinity War and Endgame?’ And boy, have we worked long and hard to achieve that.”

The premiere of *Avengers: Doctor Doom* is scheduled for December 18, 2026 in cinemas.