In a video released by Marvel, Iron Man director Jon Favreau and MCU mastermind Kevin Feige look back at the first film in their franchise. This started 15 years ago with “Iron Man”. An important part of the conversation is, of course, casting the lead role. Because without Robert Downey Jr. the character Tony Stark aka Iron Man is indispensable for many.
Favreau reveals that Feige and Marvel Downey Jr. already knew well – he had already been spoken to for a villain role in another film:
“You all met him for Doctor Doom or something like that on another project. I think he auditioned for ‘Fantastic Four’.”
Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom in “Fantastic Four”?
Favreau is referring to Tim Story’s 2005 “Fantastic Four,” which Kevin Feige and his Marvel team were already involved with. In the end, however, Julian McMahon and not Robert Downey Jr., who was also traded, got the role of Doctor Doom – a stroke of luck for Marvel fans.
Because, of course, it would have been possible to get a role in the MCU as an actor from this non-MCU project afterwards – the best proof is Chris Evans, who then embodied Captain America in the MCU after Johnny Storm in “Fantastic Four”. But so soon after “Fantastic Four” and the sequel that followed in 2007″Rise of the silver surferThat would have been very unlikely – especially with such an important role, which should lay the groundwork for an entire franchise.
You can watch the full video featuring Favreau and Feige here:
Incidentally, the Fantastic Four and probably also the villain Doctor Doom are moving to the MCU soon. A Fantastic Four movie, directed by Matt Shakman (WandaVision), is scheduled to hit theaters on February 12, 2025. Casting is currently underway and Marvel is expected to officially announce the cast at Comic-Con San Diego July 20-23, 2023 – with the rumor mill already spinning. Adam Driver is rumored to be playing the role of Reed Richards.
Doctor Doom could also appear then, although there are always rumors that before that he would appear as a major villain for the entire MCU. There are repeated reports of him appearing in the credits of movies. But that turned out to be wrong every time.