Anthony Russo on Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom: “No One Else Could Play This Role Like Him”

Marvel’s Avengers: Doomsday is about to begin filming in three weeks, and Anthony Russo praised Robert Downey Jr. for playing Doctor Doom in the movie. He said that no one else in the world could play this character like him.

Speaking to The Times, when asked how they are bringing back Downey Jr. as the villainous Doctor Doom, given that he died as a different character, Iron Man, in Avengers: Endgame,

Anthony Russo said, “We can’t explain that as it’s part of the story.” He added, “But there’s nobody else in the world who could play this character the way he’s about to.”

According to Anthony, the MCU is bigger now, and even he and Joe Russo find it challenging to manage. He said they returned to Marvel to bring back a clear and focused main story, as they always prioritized strong storytelling in their previous Marvel films.

Anthony said, “The MCU has got quite large, that’s for sure,” Anthony added, “I mean, frankly, we struggle with that same issue. But part of the reason Joe and I decided to go back is exactly what you’re talking about. There needs to be more of a central narrative. That was something we were very specific about when we worked with Marvel [before]. We would like to bring the focused narrative back.”

Speaking to Omelete, the Russo Brothers revealed that Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars will be “a new beginning” for the MCU.

“We told an ending story [with Avengers: Endgame], now we’re going to tell a beginning story.”

Here’s the plot details for Avengers: Doomsday:

Avengers: Doomsday will mark the beginning of the end of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). As the multiverse nears total collapse, the Avengers assemble to face their biggest challenge yet—incursions, catastrophic collisions between realities that could destroy the entire multiverse. Earth’s Mightiest Heroes must race against time to save their reality while confronting the powerful figure behind it all—Victor Von Doom (Downey Jr.).

Directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, the film is joined by longtime collaborator Stephen McFeely, who is penning the screenplay.

In Avengers: Doomsday, Downey Jr. will play the role of Doctor Doom, Chris Evans as an Nomad, Tom Holland as Spider-Man, Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm, Wyatt Russell as US Agent, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, David Harbour as Red Guardian, Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier, Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson/Captain America, Ebon Moss-Bachrach as The Thing, Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch, and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Wonder Man, Dafne Keen as Laura Kinney/X-23 and Kelsey Grammer as Hank McCoy/Beast, and Channing Tatum as Gambit.

Produced by Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, and Russo Brothers will produce through their AGBO banner.

Avengers: Doomsday will be released on May 1, 2026, and Avengers: Secret Wars will come out on May 7, 2027.