Doctor Doom is the most famous villain in all of Marvel Comics, and with the film rights to The Fantastic Four being acquired by Disney in the purchase of 20th Century Fox, the question is not if Doctor Doom will join the MCU but when. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in Fantastic Four #5 back in 1962, Doctor Doom is the arch enemy of The Fantastic Four.
Born Victor Von Doom in the nation of Latveria, the character has become the ruler of the country and is a master of science and magic. While his main conflict has been with The Fantastic Four, he has come into conflict with every major superhero in the Marvel universe from The Avengers, Spider-Man, Blade, Doctor Strange, and many more.
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The Destiny of Doctor Doom
Marvel Comics
Doctor Doom has the potential to be a major character in the MCU, and it seems like the franchise is gearing up to introduce him. Rumors have already begun circulating he will appear in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and with the Fantastic Four kicking off Phase 6 he will likely not be far behind. He might be the true big villain of Phase 6, as he was the central antagonist in 2015’s Secret Wars which is set to be adapted in Avengers: Secret Wars, the final film of Phase 6 and the Multiverse Saga.
The pressure to cast Doctor Doom is high, given the character’s popularity but also the past film incarnations. While Doctor Doom is one of the most famous supervillains in all comics, his live-action appearances have been lacking for many, failing to properly capture the character. He first appeared in the 1994 Fantastic Four film by Roger Corman that was never meant to be released where he was played by Joseph Culp. Julian McMahon played the character in both 2005’s Fantastic Four and 2007’s Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, but both films make major changes to the characters. The most recent was Toby Kebbell in 2015’s Fantastic Four, which altered every aspect of the character to where he was almost unrecognizable. Marvel Studios now has to find the perfect Doctor Doom, which as history has shown is no easy task.
There are multiple angles to go for Doctor Doom, either casting an actor to play the role in the outfit on set or casting an imposing body double and a great voice to go with the costume, like with Darth Vader in Star Wars. However, two key signature features of Doctor Doom are an imposing voice and piercing eyes which should be the primary elements considered. These would be the best actors to bring Doctor Doom to life in the MCU.
Jon Hamm
Lionsgate Television
Standing at 6 ft 1 and with broad shoulders and a recognizable voice, Jon Hamm seems like a perfect fit for Doctor Doom. The actor wowed audiences with his portrayal of Don Draper on Mad Men, where he played a smooth but morally compromised individual, something that lends itself well to Doom. He can play a villain that is both charming but also incredibly dangerous (something also seen in Black Mirror).
While Doctor Doom does not take off his mask, if the MCU Doctor Doom needed to remove his mask for some reason, having it be Hamm underneath would create an added depth and mystery to the character and is in line with the original comic conceit, that Doom was an incredibly handsome man, but when he received a tiny scar, his own vanity made him cover his face. With Hamm’s voice, presence, and the persona he feels like he was born to play Doctor Doom.
Colman Domingo
20th TelevisionAMC Networks
One of the most accomplished but still underrated actors working today, Colman Domingo is an accomplished actor on the stage and screen whose pedigree is shown in his Tony and Emmy nominations, making him a perfect fit for Doctor Doom. Domingo can be seen in several well-regarded films like Lincoln, Selma, and If Beale Streets Could Talk, as well as the hit television shows Euphoria and Fear the Walking Dead. While Doctor Doom is one of the most vicious and evil villains in the Marvel Universe, he is also often a diplomat and once that projects a sense of honor to his enemies, and Domingo’s presence as an actor gives the character that added dignity.
Michael Wincott
Universal Pictures
When it comes to casting great voices, look no further than Michael Wincott. Most recently seen in Nope, Wincott has a particular deep raspy voice that makes him an ideal fit for villains like in 1991’s Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and 1994’s The Crow. Wincott joining the MCU feels inevitable, and putting his voice with Doctor Doom’s armor might not seem like the immediate choice, but the more thought goes into it, and it feels like a worthy voice that could intimidate The Avengers, The Fantastic Four, and any other hero in the MCU.
Colin O’Donoghue
Disney-ABC Domestic Television
Most famous for playing Captain Hook on ABC’s Once Upon a Time, Colin O’Donoghue has already shown a keen ability to play an iconic villain while also giving said villain a moral code. O’Donoghue has experience as a voice actor as well, one that could befit well with Doctor Doom. While he might not have the same booming deep voice that many of the performers on this list do, that could work to his advantage to make the role his own. Instead of a Doctor Doom that goes the traditional way for an intermediate voice, the contrast of O’Donoghue’s swagger and typical charm paired with the imposing suit of armor that Doom wears could make for an interesting contrast that could enrich the characters.
Giancarlo Esposito
Giancarlo Esposito is now the quintessential villain actor of the moment. A long-working character actor who had appeared in a number of Spike Lee films like Do The Right Thing and Malcolm X while also appearing in films like The Usual Suspects and Ali, he broke out with audiences playing the villainous Gus Freeman on Breaking Bad and reprised his role in the spin-off series Better Call Saul. Since then he has become associated with villains in series like Once Upon a Time, The Mandalorian, and The Boys.
Esposito has been rumored to be in talks with Marvel Studios about a role in an upcoming film, one that could be a minor supporting player like Glenn Close and John C. Reily in Guardians of the Galaxy (or perhaps as Professor X), but it is entirely Esposito’s being considered for Doctor Doom. The actor’s cool, calm, but chilling voice coming out of the Doctor Doom mask would instantly sell to audiences that this is a villain not to be messed with.
Ethan Peck
Paramount+
Ethan Peck is the grandson of Gregory Peck, who played one of the most iconic heroic figures in film, Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird. It would seem oddly fitting for Ethan Peck to step into the role of one of the most iconic villain characters. Peck currently plays Spock on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, a role he reprised from Star Trek: Discovery. Peck could move over from an iconic hero in his own right to an iconic villain, and Doctor Doom seems like the perfect fit for the up-and-coming talent.
At 6 ft 1, Peck could have the imposing element of Doom if he were to wear the suit and has the piercing strong eyes that he uses to great effect on Star Trek: Strange New World for the famous Vulcan that could be re-purposed for a villain glare. However, even if he were to only voice the character, Peck’s distinctive baritone voice has a cold calculating but also deep powerful ring to it that would sound unlike any of the previous Doctor Doom actors.
