Marvel Avengers Doomsday: First Look at Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom Revealed?

Liputan6.com, Jakarta Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) fans worldwide are eagerly awaiting the release of the fifth film in the Avengers series, Marvel's Avengers: Doomsday, scheduled for release on December 18, 2026.

Excitement has been heightened after the first glimpse of Doctor Doom, the main antagonist played by Robert Downey Jr., was revealed at a marketing expo in Shanghai, China.

This visual reveal of Doctor Doom took place at the Walt Disney Studios Marketing Expo in Shanghai on September 11-12, 2025.

The expo featured not only new promotional imagery and merchandise but also a spectacular light show that hinted at Doctor Doom's crucial role in the upcoming MCU narrative.

Robert Downey Jr., formerly known as Iron Man, will now play Victor Von Doom, a role announced in July 2024.

Filming for Avengers: Doomsday began in April 2025 at Pinewood Studios in England, with additional filming locations in the UK and Bahrain.

Avengers: Doomsday will be the 39th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and an integral part of Phase Six of the MCU.

It is produced by Marvel Studios and AGBO, with Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures as the primary distributor.

The film's release date underwent several adjustments, from May 2, 2025, to May 1, 2026, and finally set for December 18, 2026, in the United States.

This delay was largely due to the Writers Guild of America strike in 2023.

Anthony and Joe Russo return as directors, with Stephen McFeely and Michael Waldron writing the screenplay.

In addition to Robert Downey Jr. as Victor Von Doom, Avengers: Doomsday will feature a vastly expanded cast.

In March 2025, Marvel announced a 26-member cast, including actors from previous MCU media and 20th Century Fox's Marvel films.

Big names like Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Mackie, Tom Hiddleston, and Paul Rudd are reportedly set to return.

A marketing showcase in Shanghai witnessed the first official glimpse of Doctor Doom, played by Robert Downey Jr.

The costume features a gleaming silver mask, heavy armor, and a flowing green cape, emphasizing the iconic visual identity of the Victor Von Doom character.

Another interesting detail is the hint of mystical powers embedded in the promotional visuals, hinting that Marvel Studios will incorporate Doom's dual heritage as a brilliant scientist and sorcerer.

This Doctor Doom look is reportedly inspired by "classic Universal monster movies."

Previously, Doctor Doom was hinted at in the post-credits scene of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, where audiences only saw his masked silhouette.

This full look in Shanghai confirms speculation and provides a clearer glimpse of how Robert Downey Jr. will portray this legendary villain in Marvel Comics.

The official light show at the Shanghai exhibition was not only visually stunning, but also provided significant clues to Marvel's Avengers: Doomsday storyline.

Doctor Doom was shown in various intimidating poses, followed by logos for the Avengers, Black Panther, Fantastic Four, and X-Men.

Several scenes in the light show show Doom seated on a throne, hinting at his role as ruler of 'Battleworld' as in the Secret Wars comics.

Teasers and promotional materials also hinted that Doom might take on the role of 'God Emperor Doom.'

The light show also hinted at the possibility that Doctor Doom will take over Kang's technology, making him a powerful primary antagonist for the Avengers, Wakanda, Fantastic Four, Thunderbolts, and X-Men.

Avengers: Doomsday opens in theaters on December 18, 2026, with Avengers: Secret Wars opening a year later on December 17, 2027.

A Disney Marketing expo in Shanghai might’ve just dropped the first look at Robert Downey Jr’s Doctor Doom pic.twitter.com/fdfedhN7RN

— ScreenTime (@screentime) September 11, 2025