Doctor Doom (2025 film)
| Doctor Doom | |
|---|---|
 Teaser poster | |
| Directed by | Wilma Zimmerman |
| Written by |
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| Produced by | Freddie Goodwin |
| Starring | |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures |
Release date |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $120 million |
Doctor Doom is an upcoming American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. Produced by Mob Productions and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, it is intended to be a prequel to The Fantastic Four (2024), and the 3rd film in the Mob Cinematic Universe (MCU). Directed by Wilma Zimmerman, who wrote the screenplay with Myla Salazar, Sara Case, Patrick Reid, Ethan Morland, and Clara Redwood.
Development on a film focused on the character Doctor Doom began in late 2019, but didn't have a working script. A first draft was submitted by late 2020 and a final draft was completed by late July 2023. Filming began on June 30 and concluded the following month on July 28, 2024.
Doctor Doom is scheduled to be released on January 3, 2025, as part of Phase One of the MCU.
Premise
Doctor Doom's origins will be explored.
Cast
- Robert Downey Jr. as Victor Von Doom / Doctor Doom
- Rachel Weisz as Valeria
- Daniel Brühl as Boris
- Andy Serkis as The Baron
- Alicia Vikander as Lucia Von Bardas
- Chiwetel Ejiofor as Mephisto
- Tilda Swinton as Umar
- Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards / Mister Fantastic
Production
Development
After the critical and commercial failure of the 2015 film Fantastic Four, Mob Productions began exploring various approaches to revitalize the franchise rather than simply creating another Fantastic Four film. In July 2017, Wilma Zimmerman announced that she was developing a film about Doctor Doom, the primary antagonist of the Fantastic Four, for Mob Productions. Although Zimmerman was initially focused on writing the script, she expressed interest in potentially directing the film as well. Different versions of Doom had previously appeared in Mob Productions' Fantastic Four films, portrayed by Julian McMahon and Toby Kebbell. In January 2018, Zimmerman stated that she had nearly completed the final script for the second season of her Marvel series Legion, and that the Doctor Doom script would become her main priority afterward. The following month, Zimmerman's script was highlighted as a particular focus for Mob Productions in its planned relaunch of the Fantastic Four franchise.
In March, Zimmerman clarified that her personal goal was not to re-launch the Fantastic Four but to "take this fascinating and under-served character and really build a movie about him where we ask the question: Is he a hero? Is he a villain? What does he really want?" She added that she was interested in blending multiple genres rather than creating a straightforward "superhero" film, similar to her work in previous projects. She particularly noted the potential political thriller aspect of Doctor Doom's character, drawing comparisons to the success of Marvel's 2014 film Captain America: The Winter Soldier, while cautioning that her film would be different. Additionally, Zimmerman acknowledged that the acquisition of Mob Productions by Disney could potentially impact the project, but at that time, she was uncertain how and had not discussed the issue with either studio. The first draft of the script was completed by early June 2018, though Zimmerman felt it needed more work.
In March 2019, Zimmerman revealed that her script features Doctor Doom placing a dome over Latveria, the fictional European country he rules, and later inviting a female journalist to "be his voice to the world." Zimmerman added that Mob Productions President Mark Rogueson had approached her about the project ahead of Disney—Mob Productions' parent company—taking over the rights to the character. However, Zimmerman was uncertain if this would lead to the project moving forward under Rogueson and Mob Productions. Later that month, Disney officially acquired Mob Productions and gained the film rights to several Marvel Comics characters for Mob Productions, including Doctor Doom. In January 2020, Zimmerman said she had not been contacted by Mob Productions regarding the project since the acquisition, and her focus had now shifted to a new Star Trek film that she was planning. Nonetheless, she hoped her Doctor Doom film could fit into Marvel's plans and stated that if they ever contacted her about it, she would be "in."
Casting
In March 2024, it was announced that Mads Mikkelsen would portray the titular character Victor Von Doom / Doctor Doom. By April 2024, it was confirmed Rachel Weisz, Daniel Brühl, Andy Serkis, Alicia Vikander, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Tilda Swinton were confirmed to appear in the film. By May 2024, it was announced that Pedro Pascal is reprising his role from The Fantastic Four as Reed Richards / Mister Fantastic.
Filming
Principal photography began on June 10, 2024, at Pinewood Studios in London, under the working title Green Moon. The film will be shot for IMAX. Filming concluded early on July 28, 2024. Reshoots occured in early August 2024 and concluded on September 22, 2024.
Post-production
The film's editor is Elio Sunfire. The Computer-generated imagery (CGI) is set to conclude being done by December 2024 and improved for two weeks until mid-January 2025.
Marketing
Mob Productions announced that they will release a teaser trailer on August 1, 2024.
According to the editor Sunfire, he had to make a trailer whilst the film was being filmed and struggled to make a finished trailer to release on time. On August 1, 2024, Mob Productions released a teaser poster for the film and published a corresponding blog post. In the blog post, Mob Productions' spokesperson, Goodwin, announced that the film is on schedule to be released on January 3, 2025. The post also provided a detailed release schedule for all upcoming trailers.
A second trailer was released on September 17, 2024 and was 2 and a half minutes long. The trailer included a short clip of the Doctor Doom suit that is intended to be used throughout the Mutant Warfare Saga, as Doctor Doom is the big villain for the entirety of the saga. The trailer finished revealing a third and final trailer will release in December 2024.
Release
Doctor Doom is scheduled to be released on January 3, 2025. It was previously scheduled for November 10, 2024. It will be part of Phase One of the MCU.