Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige has addressed criticisms suggesting that Doctor Doom has not received sufficient buildup to be positioned as the next major antagonist of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, drawing parallels to Thanos's own introduction.
During a carpet interview, Feige was asked about fan sentiment that Victor Von Doom lacks the extensive screen time and development seen with Thanos leading up to "Avengers: Infinity War." Feige countered by recalling how fans also perceived Thanos's early appearances, pointing to the numerous memes that emerged from his post-credits scenes and brief appearances in films like "Avengers," "Guardians of the Galaxy," and "Avengers: Age of Ultron." He noted that at the time, many felt Thanos was merely sitting on a chair or seen briefly on a video screen, with online discussions even featuring feeds updating daily on his static presence.
Feige revealed that "Avengers: Doomsday" is intended to serve as Doctor Doom's primary introduction to audiences, similar to how "Avengers: Endgame" fully presented Thanos. He explained that the film will "peel the onion" and gradually reveal more about Doom, aiming to engage both comic fans familiar with the character and newcomers unaware of his background. This approach mirrors the strategy used for Thanos, whose introduction as a fully realized character occurred in "Avengers: Infinity War."
The Marvel Studios president also alluded to the possibility of further exploration of Doom's story beyond "Doomsday," suggesting that future films could delve deeper into his narrative. The studio appears to be positioning "Doomsday" as a significant event, indicated by the extensive cast that appeared at the recent Hall H panel. Among those present was David Jonsson, who was revealed to be playing the next Black Panther, and Ryan Gosling, confirmed for a new Ghost Rider movie. While no other major announcements were made, additional details may emerge at the upcoming D23 event and in anticipation of "Spider-Man: Brand New Day's" release later this month.