Robert Downey Jr. is making a return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), but this time, not as Iron Man. Instead, he'll be taking on the role of the villainous Doctor Doom. This unexpected news has left fans with a mix of excitement and nostalgia.

The casting of Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom was announced by MCU President Kevin Feige during San Diego Comic-Con on Saturday. Feige also revealed the return of the Russo Brothers, the directors behind Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame. They will be directing two upcoming Avengers sequels—Secret Wars and Doomsday, the latter of which will feature Robert Downey Jr. in his new role as Doom.

The casting of Robert Downey Jr. as Victor Von Doom, a new character in the MCU, has sparked a backlash among fans. Iron Man, played by Downey Jr., died in Avengers: Endgame, leading to confusion and frustration on social media. Some users compared this to Hugh Jackman’s return as Wolverine, suggesting it undermines previous storylines.

One user on X (formerly Twitter) commented, “Both of these scenes mean nothing now.” In response, another user argued, “No, it’s not the same. Tony Stark and Victor Von Doom are completely different characters. The Wolverine we have now is a variant, not the same as from Logan.” Another added, “Nah, both characters are dead. We now have variants. Welcome to the world of comic books.”

One social media user expressed frustration, saying, “I get that it’s about multiverses and all, but having Iron Man become Doctor Doom means nothing for the MCU and doesn’t do justice to Doctor Doom. It feels like a gimmick to sell tickets and is disrespectful to my favorite character. Next.” Another person wrote, “Some people are calling the Robert Downey Jr. Doctor Doom casting 'so stupid it’s brilliant,' and I’m just not feeling it right now.” 

While the casting of Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom has introduced a fresh and surprising twist to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it has also generated significant backlash from fans. The excitement surrounding Downey Jr.'s return is tempered by confusion and frustration, particularly given the character’s previous death as Iron Man in Avengers: Endgame. The announcement has sparked a debate about the impact of such changes on the integrity of the MCU's narrative and character arcs. As the multiverse continues to expand, only time will tell how these developments will be integrated into the broader storyline and how they will be received by the audience.