Just over a year ago, Marvel Studios shocked fans by not only confirming the next Avengers movie would bring Doctor Doom into the Marvel Cinematic Universe but that former Iron Man star Robert Downey Jr. would be the one wearing the mask. Having walked away from the MCU after Iron Man’s death in Avengers: Endgame in 2019, Downey’s return was stunning. Now that production on the film has wrapped and the sequel will debut in theaters next year, the hype is starting to build in earnest, and one former Marvel collaborator has a take on Downey’s casting that might be more exciting than any leaked teases.
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Speaking with ComicBook for his upcoming film Play Dirty, we asked Shane Black his thoughts about Downey taking on the role for Avengers: Doomsday. Black has long been a major collaborator with Downey Jr, working with him on 2005’s Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang before going on to write and direct 2013’s Iron Man 3. The filmmaker also has a history of being a major comic book fan, so he certainly has thoughts about what it could mean.
“I think he’s going to singlehandedly reinvigorate the entire comic book movie industry with that,” Black said. “I mean, it seemed like at first a cynical idea, you know, ‘Oh, let’s just go back to the well of the one guy that seems to always save us.’ But it’s going to work. It’s really going to work. And he’s brought to it… I’m not at liberty to say anything, not that I know. I’m thrilled because I’m first in line to see that. I haven’t seen all the Marvel movies. I’ll see that one first.”
To Black’s point, many took the same position when Downey’s casting was first announced. Marvel has been in a very public slump since the release of Avengers: Endgame, with few movies breaking through in any major way and many of their films and shows being derided for their quality. This has not only forced Marvel Studios to reconsider their larger strategies, but eventually shifted their Avengers plans into what we know is on the way.
As noted, even though Robert Downey Jr.’s presence can be seen as going back to the well, it’s been proven that it does work. Audiences not only show up for RDJ in a feature film, but we also know that he doesn’t phone in any of his performances. In the past five years, only two Marvel movies have cleared a billion dollars at the box office (Spider-Man: No Way Home and Deadpool & Wolverine), whereas the previous five years had six films reach that achievement. Marvel needs a win, and Downey as Doom is a major ace up their sleeve.
So even if the idea originated as low-hanging fruit, it could very well become a boon for Marvel Studios when they absolutely need it the most. Not every fan may be convinced yet, but the hype has already made a believer out of Shane Black.
Black’s new film, Play Dirty, premieres on Prime Video on October 1st.
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Image courtesy of Lucasfilm
