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The Marvel Cinematic Universe is once again in the eye of the storm, and this time the protagonist is Robert Downey Jr., but not as Tony Stark. The actor returns to the MCU in Avengers: Doomsday, playing Victor Von Doom, better known as Doctor Doom, and a leaked behind-the-scenes image has already set off alarm bells among fans of the saga.
The photo shows Downey Jr. on set with the characteristic facial motion capture dots, commonly used for CGI visual effects. This has sparked a wave of criticism and concern among Marvel fans, who fear that one of the most iconic faces in comics - Doom's mask - will be completely computer generated.
For many, the decision to bring back Downey Jr. as a villain, after being the heart of the MCU for more than a decade as Iron Man, already represented a risky move, and even lacking in creativity. Now, the possibility that Marvel Studios will again resort to CGI-generated "nanotech" masks, as it did with Iron Man, Star-Lord and Spider-Man, has made some fans lose their patience.
Some production advocates argue that the dots on the face could be to represent the disfigured face of Victor Von Doom before donning his famous armor. Even so, skepticism persists, especially considering the recent history of questionable technological decisions by the studio.
Doomsday is a step towards Avengers: Secret Wars
The concern goes beyond a simple aesthetic decision. Avengers: Doomsday, scheduled for release on May 1, 2026, will not only feature Doom as its main villain, but also has the monumental task of setting the stage for Avengers: Secret Wars, a film that could redefine or even close the MCU as we know it.
And while the cast is star-studded: Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Mackie, Florence Pugh, Tom Hiddleston, Patrick Stewart, Pedro Pascal and many more, the way Marvel unveiled the lineup left much to be desired. Instead of an epic announcement, they opted for an extensive livestream showing director's chairs with the actors' names on them, a strategy that was branded "lazy" by fans.
In addition to the return of Downey Jr., the film will include characters from the Avengers, the New Avengers, the original X-Men and Wakanda. We will even see Channing Tatum in the role of Gambit, which promises an explosive mix of universes and storylines.
With so many expectations on the table, fans are hoping that Avengers: Doomsday will sur the visual and narrative standards that Marvel set in its heyday. However, an over-reliance on CGI and risky creative decisions could become the studio's Achilles' heel if it fails to balance spectacle with respect for the source material.