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Nearly two years to the date that Robert Downey Jr. was announced to be cast as Doctor Doom, audiences got their first look at the actor as the iconic villain in the trailer for Avengers: Doomsday. After playing the MCU's lead hero, Tony Stark / Iron Man, for over a decade, Downey Jr. now steps into the role of the lead villain in Avengers: Doomsday. As with everything involving the MCU lately, the reaction to Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom is divided, with some incredible praise on one end, and disappointment on the other.
While the trailer itself has drawn mixed reactions, the moment when Doctor Doom stops Stormbreaker with two fingers has gained an extremely positive reaction from fans online. X user Kanga wrote, "The moment Doom appeared, I forgot every complaint I’ve had about the MCU over the last few years. That’s how powerful this trailer was." Anthony Orlando responded with the first clip of Doctor Doom's voice saying, "I love it. Orlando also posted a gif from Brooklyn Nine-Nine going, "Chills. Literal chills."
The King of Burbank mocked Downey Jr.'s Latverian accent, comparing it to Constantine the Frog from The Muppets Most Wanted and saying, "Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom voice genuinely is that." Video essayist Rory Glynn made a meme spoofing Downey Jr.'s portrayal as Lewis Strauss in Oppenheimer, parodying the scene where the character mocks Robert Oppenheimer, which can be seen below:
The decision to cast Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom has been met with controversy since the news was first announced in July 2024 at San Diego Comic-Con. Some have called the decision a desperate marketing gimmick to bring back general moviegoers. Others have expressed disappointment over the decision not to recast Kang the Conqueror in favor of pivoting to Doctor Doom with no build-up. Many who were excited to see Robert Downey Jr. leave the MCU behind were disappointed that he returned after winning an Academy Award for Oppenheimer. Then there is the real concern about whitewashing the character and casting a big-name actor instead of an actor of Romani heritage, as Doom is in the comics.
The Avengers: Doomsday marketing campaign has drawn largely mixed reactions since it kicked off with the chair reveal in March 2025. From the four teasers being theatrical exclusives for a week before going online to the Infinity Vision branding, the build-up to Avengers: Doomsday has been among the most negatively received marketing campaigns for an MCU film. However, this could also be largely an internet bubble, as, based on online trailer views, general audiences seem excited about the next Avengers movie and are likely curious to see Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom.
