Robert Downey Jr. is set to play Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday, the upcoming Marvel film directed by the Russo brothers and scheduled to reach theaters on Dec. 18. The Oscar winner is taking on one of the most famous villains from the Fantastic Four comics.
The directors recently reflected on the first time they heard Downey's vocal take on Doctor Doom. According to their comments, the performance had an immediate impact and gave them chills, an early sign of how strongly they feel about this version of the character.
That reaction is likely to fuel even more interest in Avengers: Doomsday, which is already one of Marvel's most closely watched upcoming releases. Putting Downey in the role of Doctor Doom ties a major star to a character with a long comic-book history and a strong connection to the Fantastic Four.
Plot details remain limited, but the filmmakers' response suggests that Downey's interpretation of Doom could become a major talking point as the release date approaches. For now, the character's voice alone is helping build anticipation for the movie's Dec. 18 debut.