Iron Man director Jon Favreau revealed Marvel originally wanted Robert Downey Jr. to star as Doctor Doom.
Robert Downey Jr. being cast as Iron Man is one of the few perfect casting choices the Marvel Cinematic Universe has made. The character of Iron Man has practically become synonymous with the star, and it’s hard to imagine anyone else taking on the genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist role anytime soon. It turns out, however, that Marvel originally had a different character in mind for Downey Jr.
The recently released The Story of Marvel Studios: The Making of the Marvel Cinematic Universe details the rise of the world’s biggest cinematic franchise and is filled with never-before-known details and tidbits. During the chapter where the pre-production days of Iron Man are being discussed, director Jon Favreau revealed to authors Tara Bennett and Paul Terry that Robert Downey Jr. had originally met with Marvel to play Doctor Doom.
“Marvel had already met with [Robert Downey Jr.] before, I think, to play Doctor Doom.”
This bit of casting was likely for 2005’s Fantastic Four, which ended up featuring Julian McMahon as the big bad. McMahon reprised his role as Doctor Doom for 2007’s Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. It would have been interesting to see Robert Downey Jr as Doctor Doom in those films, especially because he would be starring alongside Chris Evans’ Johnny Storm, who would eventually go on to play Captain America in the MCU. Who knows? Maybe Downey Jr. could have played both characters, but in the end, he was perfect as Iron Man.
Iron Man was last seen in Avengers: Endgame. Here is the official plot synopsis for the Marvel Studios film:
The grave course of events set in motion by Thanos that wiped out half the universe and fractured the Avengers ranks compels the remaining Avengers to take one final stand in Marvel Studios’ grand conclusion to twenty-two films, “Avengers: Endgame.”
Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, Avengers: Endgame stars Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Don Cheadle, Paul Rudd, Brie Larson, Karen Gillan, Danai Gurira, Benedict Wong, Jon Favreau, Bradley Cooper, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Josh Brolin.
Avengers: Endgame is available on Digital HD, 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD, and streaming on Disney Plus, while Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania will hit theaters on February 17, 2023.
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Source: The Story of Marvel Studios: The Making of the Marvel Cinematic Universe
The post Marvel Met With Robert Downey Jr. For Doctor Doom Role Before ‘Iron Man’ appeared first on Heroic Hollywood.
