Getty Image/Marvel Studios
Following the release of Avengers: Endgame and the defeat of overarching franchise villain Thanos in that film, the Marvel Cinematic Universe needed a new chief antagonist to carry the franchise forward into its new era and ultimately landed on Kang the Conqueror and all of his multiversal mayhem.
To fill the role of Kang, Marvel Studios cast up-and-coming star Jonathan Majors, who, just 18 months ago, was considered to be one of the next *truly great* actors. He and Michael B. Jordan even did an interview in which they expressed their desire to be a modern-day version of Robert de Niro and Al Pacino.
In March 2023, however — just one month after Majors’ official debut as Kang the Conqueror in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania — all of those best-laid plans came undone as Majors was arrested for and eventually convicted of two misdemeanor counts of assault and harassment. Following the court’s ruling, Marvel officially cut ties with Majors, and that was that.
Instead of just recasting the role of Kang — which, given his famed multiversity, would’ve been quite explainable — the MCU has pivoted entirely by casting Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom. Yes, you read that correctly, beloved Iron Man actor Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom.
Following the announcement of Downey Jr’s casting, outside of either unbridled hype or deep frustration, one of the main reactions on social media was to blame/clown on Majors for his role in all of this.
Making matters worse for Majors is the fact that, while he’d never fetch RDJ-level money, Downey is reportedly making north of $80 million for the playing Doom.
“Jonathan Majors putting his hands on his girlfriend created a nexus point in the universe that made Robert Downey Jr play Dr Doom. Life is crazy,” one viral tweet said.
“Jonathan Majors weirdo a– messing around with snow bunnies created a branched timeline where Robert Downey Jr had to be brought back for Doctor Doom. This ain’t what MLK wanted!!!” said another popular post on Twitter.
While Downey Jr’s Doctor Doom has been officially confirmed to appear in 2026’s Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, it’s likely he will make his debut as the character sooner than that, most likely in next summer’s highly-anticipated The Fantastic Four: First Steps.