Ben Mendelsohn’s Doctor Doom Comments Make Me Wish He Was The MCU’s Choice

by

Doctor Doom is one of Marvel Comics’ most renowned villains, and I find myself secretly hoping that a particular actor would portray him in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). However, it’s important to note that Robert Downey Jr. is not a poor choice for the role – he even won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in the 2023 film ‘Oppenheimer.’ That being said, there were discussions surrounding his casting as Doom. Some critics argue that Marvel is exploiting Downey’s enduring popularity after his time as Iron Man to boost their profits.

It’s uncertain if Robert Downey Jr.’s portrayal of Doom will be based on Earth-616’s Iron Man (Tony Stark), potentially reducing Doom’s unique identity. Transforming such an iconic villain as Doom into a version of Iron Man could be perceived by many as an excessive deviation from comic book lore and his roots, which might not sit well with fans. While this approach could fit within the Multiverse Saga, it’s undeniable that Marvel is taking a daring gamble with this decision.

Perhaps it would have been wiser for the studio to choose an actor less connected to the franchise for the role, as even those who’ve played minor roles within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) are frequently listed as fan favorites for Doctor Doom. Notably, Mads Mikkelson is often suggested, and after hearing him deliver a heartfelt tribute to the legendary Marvel villain, I can’t help but wonder if another MCU actor who played a more minor role might have been an equally suitable fit for Doom.

Robert Downey Jr’s Version Of Doctor Doom Is Interesting, But Ben Mendelsohn’s Comments About Doctor Doom Mean I’m Fascinated About What His Take Would Look Like

Ben Mendelsohn Is A Huge Doctor Doom Fan

Ben Mendelsohn, known for playing the Skrull character Talos in Marvel films like Captain Marvel, Spider-Man: Far From Home, and Secret Invasion, openly expressed his affection for the Marvel universe and a particular villain, Doctor Doom, during an interview with The Wrap. When asked which character he would transform into if given Skrull’s shapeshifting abilities, real or fictional, Mendelsohn couldn’t help but sing praises for the character. A clip of this exchange was recently shared on X by user @TheSomethingFan, who called it “the best thing to come out of Secret Invasion,” which can be viewed below:

Similar to the initial poster, I too find Mendelsohn’s fervor for the character quite captivating. In an interview with GQ last February, Mendelsohn expressed his deep desire to play the villain, stating he would willingly sacrifice his “eyes and teeth” for the part. However, it was Robert Downey Jr who ultimately landed the role, a fact revealed only five months later.

In many instances, some of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s most beloved characters are brought to life by actors who are avid fans of the original material. Actors like Iman Vellani as Ms. Marvel, Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool, and Simu Liu as Shang-Chi serve as excellent examples. Given this trend, it’s intriguing to speculate about what Doctor Doom enthusiast Ben Mendelsohn might bring to the character. Although his role as Talos has been more prolonged compared to, say, Mads Mikkelsen’s Kaecilius, it’s simpler to imagine him adding himself to the list of actors who have portrayed multiple MCU characters rather than Robert Downey Jr., who is primarily associated with Iron Man.

Robert Downey Jr’s Doctor Doom Casting Risks Repeating An MCU Issue

Iron Man Is Always The Center Of Attention

It’s challenging to envision how Marvel Studios can introduce Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom in the MCU without acknowledging his strong resemblance to Tony Stark, which might dilute the impact of Doom as an individual character or simply ignore the casting issue altogether and undermine the significance of the Multiverse Saga. I suspect they’ll choose to address his connection to Stark in some way, such as through a shared universe variant or recognition by Stark’s former allies.

In essence, even though Tony Stark’s role ended with the Infinity Saga and there was some controversy about focusing too much on him, it appears that the upcoming Multiverse Saga might yet again make Tony Stark the focal point of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), a move that has been criticized due to his absence from this new saga.

Ben Mendelsohn Could Still Become An MCU Doctor Doom Casting

He Could Play A Doom Variant

Although the odds seem small, this could be the ideal time for Marvel to fulfill Mendelsohn’s desire. The diverse forms of the MCU’s multiverse are countless, and we eagerly await the release of Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, where characters from various parts of the multiverse will appear as a tribute to Marvel’s most iconic figures. Since Mendelsohn is so passionate about the character, there’s always the possibility that Marvel might grant him a cameo as Doom.

Another possibility, though not as probable, is that Ben Mendelsohn might take on the role of Doctor Doom within the MCU following speculations about a soft reboot of the universe post-“Avengers: Endgame.” It remains uncertain what Marvel Studios have in store for the future of the MCU, and whether Doctor Doom will make an appearance at all. However, I sincerely hope that they find a way to let Mendelsohn play this beloved character after witnessing his enthusiasm for it.

Read More

2025-04-18 19:58