Avengers: Doomsday directors Joe and Anthony Russo joked that Doctor Doom’s introduction was “planned all along” after new Avengers: Endgame Encore scenes teased his impending arrival.
The filmmaking duo behind this year’s Marvel Studios reunion movie touched on how one of the few new teasers attached to Endgame’s re-release ties into the greater Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) during an interview with Empire. The moment in question is more of a collection of images than it is a proper scene, but that doesn’t mean the Russo brothers didn’t use it to draw connections between Iron Man and Doctor Doom actor Robert Downey Jr.
Warning! Avengers: Endgame Encore spoilers follow.
Those who saw Endgame Encore this past weekend and stuck through the end of its credits sequence were treated to the familiar sound of Tony Stark hammering away on his first Iron Man suit – or at least, that’s what we thought it was in 2019. This time, however, viewers were shown shots of what seemed to be Victor von Doom as he molds his own mask.
It gave new meaning to Endgame’s original final moment as Doomsday looms. When asked to elaborate, Joe Russo said with a laugh that “it’s been planned all along.” Considering Marvel announced it would rework and retitle The Kang Dynasty into Doomsday back in 2024, it’s safe to say that comment is a joke.
“It’s almost like the same actor is playing both characters!” Anthony Russo added with a laugh.
Its connections to the MCU’s first true superhero, however, are very real. Fans have wondered how the directors will connect Downey Jr.’s two characters since his role was announced, but for all we know, the Avengers, Fantastic Four, and X-Men featured in Doomsday may not even get to see the man behind the metal mask. While we’re still months from seeing how it will all unfold, the Russo brothers have acknowledged their Endgame Encore tease is more than an ominous flash from the future.
“There is certainly a symmetry at play here,” Joe Russo said. “There is an interesting examination of good and evil at play. And I think that that scene at the end, obviously it’s intended to be almost identical. It’s because there’s a duality being explored.”
Avengers: Endgame Encore helped fans prep for Doctor Doom when it premiered in theaters last week. Although viewers had to see it on IMAX and Infinity Vision screens to catch all of the Easter Eggs, we can at least rest easy knowing all questions will be answered when Avengers: Doomsday premieres December 18, 2026. In the meantime, you can read about what the Marvel directors had to say about shooting with an unfinished script.
Michael Cripe
Freelance Writer
Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He’s best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).
