Marvel’s Feige Debunks Doom-Stark Theory

By
Garth Franklin
-
Marvel

Arguably the most popular theory about Marvel Studios’ upcoming “Avengers: Doomsday” is that Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom is actually a variant of Tony Stark from another universe.

Marvel chief Kevin Feige has now debunked that theory in a new feature piece for Empire. The studio boss says:

“People wondered, ‘Is Doom just a variant of another character? Is this just a shortcut to bringing back another character?’ The answer is no. He’s Victor Von Doom.”

Director Joe Russo talked about Doom’s appeal – a combination of fear and tragedy, along with someone quite different to Thanos:

“Doom is a Gothic character. He says, ‘Hell answers to me,’ and he’s not kidding. He’s a very powerful character with some very dark magic, and he’s not above selling his soul to get what he wants. He’s worth being scared of. He’s a father who’s a victim of trauma. He has lost a child. When people see the film they say it’s a very scary movie. It’s scary because he’s so profoundly damaged.”

Co-director Anthony Russo adds: “Doom is much more ego-driven than Thanos, Thanos believed he was serving a greater good.”

Downey Jr. compares his Doom to Joel Schumacher’s acclaimed 1993 feature “Falling Down”:

“Remember Michael Douglas at the end of Falling Down? He goes, ‘I’m the bad guy?’ I had that realisation a couple of days into shooting, because all the heroes are over there, and I’m the problem. And then I leaned in, and it was just this glorious time. I like a bit of scorched earth. Whatever you think he may be entertaining, I would ten times it, and you’ll probably be closer to the ballpark.”

Check out the four Doomsday-themed covers for the magazine below. “Avengers: Doomsday” opens in cinemas on December 18th.