When Robert Downey Jr. was cast as Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday, speculation surged that he might portray a corrupted Tony Stark variant. Fans theorized that Doom could be an alternate-universe Iron Man twisted by technology, especially after Downey spent more than a decade defining Stark within the MCU.  Those theories opened a flood of questions about identity, multiverse variants, and the direction of Marvel’s next Avengers story.

Joe Russo has now addressed the speculation directly.

Joe Russo has now addressed the speculation directly making one thing clear that Victor von Doom should not be viewed as another version of the hero audiences already know. In an interview with Empire magazine, Joe Russo dismissed comparisons between Doom and Iron Man.

“Zero similarities,” is how Joe Russo puts it. With around three months to go, we are close to finding out just how stark that contrast is. The director emphasized that Robert Downey’s portrayal avoids any nod to his iconic role. This distinction ensures Doom stands as a unique villain. 

Downey’s transformation involved a different performance process from the one audiences associated with Tony Stark. Joe and Anthony Russo explained to Empire magazine that the actor worked through performance capture, using techniques similar to those employed for James Spader’s Ultron and Josh Brolin’s Thanos. Anthony Russo said Downey appeared to have “a lot of the same fun” with Doom.

The filmmakers have also stressed the importance of allowing Doom to develop his own identity. Victor von Doom is one of Marvel Comics’ most formidable villains, traditionally portrayed as a brilliant ruler and scientist whose ambition extends far beyond technological invention. Marvel’s official material continues to define Doom through his authority, intellect, and obsessive pursuit of control.

Meet Doctor Doom Before ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ With These 5 Movies and TV Shows

While Russo wants audiences to approach Doom as an entirely new figure, he also has a recommendation for anyone preparing to enter the next chapter of the MCU.

Joe Russo has encouraged Marvel fans to revisit Avengers: Endgame before watching Avengers: Doomsday. The upcoming Avengers: Endgame Encore will return to theaters on September 25, 2026, giving audiences another opportunity to experience the 2019 blockbuster on the big screen. Fandango currently lists the rerelease alongside Avengers: Doomsday as a major upcoming Marvel event.

The timing is significant because the new Avengers film is positioned as part of the MCU’s continuing multiverse storyline. Russo has indicated that revisiting Endgame will help audiences understand the connection between the two films, while the encore presentation gives longtime viewers a chance to return to a story that dramatically reshaped the franchise.

Avengers: Doomsday will bring together Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Tom Hiddleston, Patrick Stewart, and several other returning and newer stars. Fandango lists Downey as Victor von Doom and Joe and Anthony Russo as directors. With Doom positioned as his own character and Endgame serving as a recommended refresher, Marvel appears ready to connect its past with an unfamiliar threat.

Is Tom Holland in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’? All We Know of Spidey’s Return in Marvel’s New Flick

What do you think about Joe Russo insisting that Doctor Doom has “zero similarities” to Iron Man? Let us know in the comments.