Robert Downey Jr. says he prefers his new Marvel role to the one that made him a household name.
During an interview with Good Morning America, Downey was asked which character he prefers to play now that he has starred as both Iron Man and Doctor Doom in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His answer was direct. "I will say Doom, for now, because I got to really observe what I've been missing the whole time, just everybody else," he said.
The revelation came as Marvel Studios prepares for the release of Avengers: Doomsday. Downey's return to the franchise was announced at San Diego Comic-Con 2025, according to Screen Rant, where it was revealed that the actor would not be reprising his role as Tony Stark, but instead playing Victor von Doom, one of the most recognized villains in comic book history.
Downey is set to appear as Doom in both Avengers: Doomsday and its follow-up, Avengers: Secret Wars. His first appearance in the role came earlier, in a brief cameo in 2025's The Fantastic Four: First Steps, where he was seen alongside Franklin Richards.
Marvel Studios has kept most of the story details tightly under wraps, including how the film will address why Doctor Doom bears a resemblance to Tony Stark. That question remains unanswered ahead of the film's release.
Downey spent over a decade as the face of the MCU through the Infinity Saga, anchoring the franchise from 2008 through the conclusion of the Thanos arc. The shift to playing the antagonist marks a significant change in how the actor is positioned within the universe going forward.
