Doctor Doom (2025 film)

Doctor Doom
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Wilma Zimmerman
Written by	Wilma Zimmerman Myla Salazar Sara Case Patrick Reid Ethan Morland Clara Redwood
Produced by	Freddie Goodwin
Starring	Robert Downey Jr. Rachel Weisz Daniel Brühl Andy Serkis Alicia Vikander Chiwetel Ejiofor Tilda Swinton Pedro Pascal
Production company	Mob Productions
Distributed by	Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Release date	January 3, 2025 (2025-01-03)
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. The disappointing reception of the movie had left the studio grappling with how to reintroduce the beloved Marvel characters in a way that resonated with audiences.

In July 2017, Wilma Zimmerman announced that she was developing a film centered on Doctor Doom, the primary antagonist of the Fantastic Four, for Mob Productions. Zimmerman, known for her nuanced storytelling and ability to bring depth to complex characters, initially focused on writing the script but also expressed interest in potentially directing the film. Different versions of Doom had previously appeared in Mob Productions' Fantastic Four films, portrayed by Julian McMahon and Toby Kebbell, but neither had been well-received by fans or critics. This new project offered an opportunity to reimagine the character and shift the narrative away from the traditional team-focused approach of the Fantastic Four films.

In January 2018, Zimmerman revealed that she had nearly completed the final script for the second season of her acclaimed television series, and that the Doctor Doom script would become her main priority afterward. The following month, Mob Productions identified Zimmerman's script as a particular focus in their planned relaunch of the Fantastic Four franchise. This decision marked a strategic shift for the studio, as they sought to build excitement around individual characters rather than relying solely on ensemble films.

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 emphasized her interest in blending multiple genres rather than creating a straightforward "superhero" film, drawing inspiration from her previous projects. Zimmerman particularly highlighted the potential political thriller aspect of Doctor Doom's character, noting that his unique position as a ruler and scientist could make for a compelling narrative. She drew comparisons to Marvel's 2014 film Captain America: The Winter Soldier, which had successfully incorporated elements of the political thriller genre, while cautioning that her film would be distinct in tone and approach. 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. By early June 2018, the first draft of the script was completed, though Zimmerman felt it needed further refinement to fully capture her vision for the character.

In March 2019, Zimmerman shared additional details about her script, revealing that it featured 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." She described this dynamic as central to the story, as it explored themes of power, perception, and manipulation. Zimmerman also noted 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, she was uncertain whether this would lead to the project moving forward under Rogueson and Mob Productions. Later that month, Disney officially acquired Mob Productions, gaining the film rights to several Marvel Comics characters, including Doctor Doom. Despite this development, Zimmerman expressed concern about the project's future, particularly given the shifting priorities within Disney and Marvel Studios. By January 2020, Zimmerman stated that she had not been contacted by Mob Productions regarding the project since the acquisition. Her focus had since shifted to a new Star Trek film that she was planning. However, she remained hopeful that her Doctor Doom film could align with Marvel's plans and expressed her willingness to return to the project if approached.

Despite the lack of movement on the project, Zimmerman's proposed take on Doctor Doom received widespread praise from fans and critics when details about the script surfaced online in late 2020. The concept of a politically charged thriller, coupled with Zimmerman's reputation for handling complex characters, sparked discussions about the potential for Doctor Doom to break new ground in the superhero genre. The idea of focusing on Doom as a multifaceted individual rather than a one-dimensional villain intrigued many, with some suggesting that the film could serve as a blueprint for other antagonist-centered stories in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). However, Marvel Studios, under Kevin Feige's leadership, remained silent on the film's prospects. By mid-2021, speculation arose that Doctor Doom could debut in another MCU project, such as a Fantastic Four reboot or an ensemble film, before potentially receiving a standalone movie.

Zimmerman continued to express her enthusiasm for the character in various interviews, emphasizing his complexity and moral ambiguity as key factors in her interest. "He's not just a villain; he's a ruler, a scientist, and a man with a vision," she said in a 2021 interview. "Exploring his psyche and the choices he makes could be incredibly compelling for audiences. He's a character who operates in shades of gray, and that makes him endlessly fascinating." Her comments reignited fan interest, with many advocating for Marvel Studios to greenlight her project.

As of 2023, no further updates on Zimmerman's Doctor Doom project have been announced. Mob Productions has since unveiled its plans for a Fantastic Four reboot, set to integrate the characters into the broader MCU. While Zimmerman's vision for Doctor Doom remains unrealized, her work on the script continues to be regarded as a bold and innovative approach to one of Marvel's most iconic antagonists. The enduring interest in her project highlights the character's potential to transcend traditional superhero narratives and establish himself as a cornerstone of the MCU. Whether Zimmerman's ideas will influence future portrayals of Doctor Doom remains to be seen, but her contributions have undoubtedly left a lasting impression on the character's cinematic legacy.

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

In early June 2022, Daniela Melchior was revealed to have a small role in the film, following her breakout performance in The Suicide Squad. Elizabeth Debicki was also confirmed to reprise her role as Ayesha, while Maria Bakalova and Nico Santos were announced as part of the cast. In July, Chukwudi Iwuji and Bakalova were revealed to be portraying the High Evolutionary and Cosmo the Spacedog, respectively. Cosmo had previously been physically portrayed by dog actor Fred in the first two Guardians of the Galaxy films and was later performed by dog actor Slate in the Holiday Special and Volume 3. The announcement of Bakalova’s role marked a shift to a more anthropomorphic depiction of Cosmo, further exploring the character's emotional and comedic potential.

In August, Michael Rosenbaum disclosed that he had reprised his role as Martinex from Volume 2, reflecting director James Gunn’s commitment to maintaining continuity within the franchise. By October 2022, it was confirmed that Bakalova’s appearance as Cosmo in the Holiday Special was designed to set up her expanded role in Volume 3, further aligning the narrative threads between the two projects. Early in 2023, Asim Chaudhry revealed his involvement in the film, voicing the character Teefs. The expanding ensemble also included Linda Cardellini and Tara Strong, who were announced in April as the voices of Lylla and Mainframe, respectively. Cardellini’s casting was particularly notable given her previous appearances in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as Laura Barton, as well as her longstanding collaboration with Gunn, having starred in the Scooby-Doo films and cameoed in Super. Tara Strong, meanwhile, replaced Miley Cyrus as the voice of Mainframe, a change attributed to Cyrus’ unavailability for the project.

The production involved two days of reshoots, reflecting the precision required to balance the film’s ambitious visual and narrative scope. Visual effects were provided by industry leaders such as Framestore, Wētā FX, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Industrial Light & Magic, Rodeo FX, Rise FX, Crafty Apes, BUF, Lola VFX, Perception, and Compuhire. Stephane Ceretti, who had previously served as the visual effects supervisor on the first film, returned to oversee the effects work, ensuring consistency across the trilogy. The editorial team included Fred Raskin, who had worked on the first two Guardians films, and Greg D’Auria, who had edited the Holiday Special. Additional contributions came from Tatiana S. Riegel, further highlighting the collaborative effort required to bring the film to life.

This intricate production process underscored the film’s ambition to merge groundbreaking visual storytelling with character-driven narratives, a hallmark of the franchise. The involvement of a diverse and talented cast, coupled with the expertise of seasoned visual effects artists and editors, aimed to deliver a cinematic experience that honored the legacy of previous entries while pushing the boundaries of what could be achieved within the MCU.

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 on December 16, 2024, which is delayed from the previous announced release date of September 30.

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.