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The MCU has been warned, for it has met its Doom. That’s Doctor Doom, to use his formal title. After years of speculation – and a retitle – fans finally know who is playing Victor von Doom in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday film. While Robert Downey Jr.’s casting as the character brings a familiar face to the franchise, some might not know who the most famous Fantastic Four villain is. For them, we’re here to help.

Who is Doctor Doom?

While the exact story behind Robert Downey Jr.’s version of the character is still unknown, Doctor Doom’s history is nearly as old as Marvel comics themselves. He first appeared in The Fantastic Four #5 back in 1962 and has been one of comics’ most iconic and enduring villains ever since. He is the Fantastic Four’s most famous enemy, but he’s also crossed paths with almost every major superhero in the Marvel universe at one point or another.

But Doctor Doom is much more than just a megalomaniacal madman with eyes for world domination. He’s also one of the few villains who doesn't hide behind an alter ego. Yes, Doctor Doom is his real name, and if it were our name, we’d use it too. In most continuities, he is the ruler of the fictional nation of Latveria, a position he uses to give himself diplomatic immunity for many of his obscenely illegal actions.

While Doctor Doom often clashes with the Fantastic Four, he holds a very special hatred for Reed Richards himself. The two studied together in college, fostering a mostly healthy rivalry before an accident involving a machine Doom was building to communicate with his dead mother scarred his face and got him kicked out of university. Afterward, Doctor Doom forged a suit of armor for himself,  incited a revolution in his home nation of Latveria, and installed himself as its supreme and unquestioned ruler.

What are Doctor Doom’s powers?

Considering he has to take on four superheroes at once, it makes sense that Doctor Doom has a formidable powerset. He has a genius-level intellect that is only surpassed by a handful of figures in the Marvel universe, including Reed Richards himself. He also has access to powerful magic, which he inherited from his mother, who was killed when he was young for being a sorcerer. Victor von Doom combines technology and magic to create unique traps, devices, and weapons that aid him in his quest to bring order to the world through his iron rule. He can manipulate energy, summon demons, and travel dimensions, wielding magical power that can rival even Doctor Strange.

Beyond these powers, though, are Doom’s political powers. Though Latveria is a small nation, his status as its ruler affords him significant leeway in the eyes of the law. Often, Victor von Doom manages to escape the legal repercussions of his actions by fleeing back to Latveria and claiming diplomatic immunity. While it might be simple for a more powerful nation to remove him from power, the unfortunate truth is that Doctor Doom is an efficient ruler who brings stability to the volatile nation. Despite his totalitarian regime, he is genuinely loved by most of his citizens and has shown that he wishes what is best for them - so long as they obey him.

Who has played Doctor Doom on screen before?

Versions of Doctor Doom have appeared in both live-action and animated forms since the 1960s. The most famous incarnation of the character was as part of 2005’s Fantastic Four film, where he was played by Julia McMahon. McMahon reprised this role in the 2007 sequel. This version of Doctor Doom was a billionaire who helped fund the team’s journey into space which gave them their powers.

Toby Kebbell later played Doctor Doom in the 2015 Fantastic Four movie, though this version was even further from the comic’s origins than the 2005 incarnation. Here, he was a reclusive computer genius who became fused with his spacesuit when he took part in an unsanctioned journey to another dimension. This gives him superpowers, which he uses to try to reshape that dimension and his own into his image.

Who is playing Doctor Doom in the MCU?

The future of Doctor Doom looks bright, though, as Marvel Studios has returned to one of their most famous actors to bring the character into the MCU. Robert Downey Jr. will be playing Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, both directed by the Russo Brothers. Downey Jr. is most famous for playing Iron Man for over a decade in the MCU, so this casting was both exciting and shocking for fans when it was announced at San Diego Comic-Con 2024.

Consider this a meta post-credits scene for Marvel fans - the four key articles you need to read next to continue the thrills:

• How to watch the Marvel Cinematic Universe in release or chronological order
• The best Marvel Comics stories of all time
• All the MCU movies ranked from best to worst
• Our weekly Marvel insider's column, Marvel Matters