It's not a surprise that, ever since that first trailer dropped last year, Marvel superfans are going gaga over any and old "Avengers: Doomsday" news. Heck, even we've been poring over those "Doomsday" theories and keeping a watchful eye on all intel coming out of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
But while "Doomsday" directors Joe and Anthony Russo and lead actor Robert Downer Jr. — who's starring not as Tony “Iron Man” Stark but as iconic supervillain Victor von Doom, better known as Doctor Doom — are no doubt excited to get their supersized superhero creation into theaters this December, there also comes with it plenty of concern that the latest MCU addition might not live up to its massively successful predecessors like 2018’s “Avengers: Infinity War” and 2023’s “Avengers: Endgame.”
RDJ discussed those very worries and how “Doomsday” can carve out its own space in the Marvel movie tradition during a recent chat with CBR. "I try to stay as removed from a subjective experience of things as I can. So I try to think like the [Russo] brothers. I try to feel like I'm in the writing room. I try to feel all that stuff.
"But eventually, there are so many big shoes to step into that I just have to go, ‘What hasn't been done as well as it can be done yet?’ We're always looking for that opportunity,” the actor shared.
“And a lot of it has been… there's some experimentation. We've had our moments of ‘Let's shift here,’” Downey added. “But we landed in a place that I think will more than suffice. And it's not even about how I executed [Doctor Doom]. It's about the way it's been structured, and the other characters.
"There's something going on in 'Doomsday' and forward that is literally the only antidote to, ‘How do you not have these films be let down after an 'Infinity War' and an 'Endgame'?’ And boy, have we labored long and hard to bring that down.”
Joe Russo expanded on that labor, revealing that the process of making “Doomsday” has “obviously been harder than the other ones, for that reason. The stakes keep going up. But emotional complexity is always the answer. You bring emotional complexity to anything, and it enriches it. It makes it a fuller experience for the audience. It surprises you… And I think ('Doomsday' is) the most emotionally complex of all of them. And in a lot of ways, the most mature of all of them,” the filmmaker told CBR.
Those hard efforts, as well as the potential for any fan disappointment or criticism, are all worth it for RDJ and co., the Oscar winner told the outlet, saying that he feels an “incredible amount of gratitude” to “still be engaging with people who are critical when we fall short, but who understand how difficult it is when we get it right.” Russo added: “And be there to celebrate with us. It's part of the fun of making these movies.”
Tom's Guide will keep you posted on all things related to "Avengers: Doomsday," including new teasers and trailers, plot details, casting news and other behind-the-scenes intel.
