In a recent retrospective on the 2008 film, the director of the first two Iron Man films, Jon Favreau, revealed that Robert Downey Jr. was almost cast as Doctor Doom in the 2005 film Fantastic Four. This surprising revelation came 15 years after Downey Jr. first portrayed Iron Man. According to Favreau, Downey Jr. was considered for the role of Doctor Doom before landing the iconic role of Iron Man.
Favreau mentioned that everyone involved in the casting process was already familiar with Downey Jr.’s work, as he had previously met with them for the role of Doctor Doom or another project. Ultimately, Julian McMahon was cast as Doctor Doom in the 2005 film, while Toby Kebbell played the character in a 2015 reboot.
In a recent interview, Kevin Feige, the president of Marvel Studios, discussed the far-reaching impact of Robert Downey Jr.’s portrayal of Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Feige emphasized that the first Iron Man film set a template for much of what the MCU would become. Jon Favreau, the director of the original Iron Man movie, praised Downey Jr., referring to him as “the puzzle piece that made it all work.” It’s interesting to note that Chris Evans, who previously portrayed the Human Torch in the “Fantastic Four” films, went on to play a pivotal role as Captain America in the MCU, showcasing the interconnected nature of these superhero roles. Feige even commented that had Downey Jr. chosen to play Doctor Doom instead of Iron Man, he might still have been cast in a pivotal role, highlighting the significance of his impact on the MCU.
“I recall the first time I met with Downey Jr to discuss the role. As the director, I also appear in the MCU as Tony Stark’s Head of Security, Happy Hogan. Sitting down with him, I noticed a spark in his eye, and I could tell he was ready for the part. Once I knew it was him, everything became a lot easier for me.”
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is giving the Fantastic Four another shot, marking their first appearance in the MCU. The cast for the new film, set to be released in 2025, includes Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn. Additionally, a retrospective led by Jon Favreau and Kevin Feige will kick off a series of events in celebration of the 15th anniversary of each film in the MCU.
