When Marvel Studios announced that Robert Downey Jr. would be returning to the MCU — not as Tony Stark, but as Victor Von Doom — it was the kind of casting reveal that changes the entire shape of a franchise.
Avengers: Doomsday is directed by the Russo Brothers, who previously helmed Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Civil War, Infinity War, and Endgame. Their return is a clear signal from Marvel that this is meant to be the studio's biggest film since Endgame.
The setup
Pedro Pascal plays Reed Richards — the leader of the Fantastic Four, who made their MCU debut in the First Foes storyline. Chris Hemsworth returns as Thor. Doctor Doom as the central villain is significant — in the comics, Doom is frequently considered the greatest villain in Marvel history. More intelligent than Tony Stark, more powerful than most heroes, and with a genuine philosophical coherence behind his worldview.
The comics reading list
If you want to understand who Doctor Doom is before December, the reading list is rich. Some key works to look for:
- Mark Waid and Mike Wieringo's Fantastic Four run — one of the definitive takes on Doom's relationship with Reed Richards
- Brian Michael Bendis's Infamous Iron Man — the arc where Doom takes on the Iron Man mantle
- Jason Aaron's Doctor Doom — a recent standalone series exploring Doom as the main character
Ask us in store for a full Doctor Doom and Fantastic Four reading order. We stock a strong range of Marvel collected editions at superheroempire.com — search by character or come in and we'll build you a reading list.
In theaters December 2026
The most anticipated superhero film of the year. We'll have more coverage as the release approaches.
— Superhero Empire