- Primary Subject: Avengers: Doomsday (Anthony Mackie & Robert Downey Jr.)
- Key Update: Anthony Mackie joked that Robert Downey Jr. won't do his own Doctor Doom fight scenes in Avengers: Doomsday.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: November 11, 2026
- Quick Answer: Anthony Mackie jokingly revealed Robert Downey Jr. won't fight in Avengers: Doomsday, teasing CGI and stunt doubles will handle Doctor Doom's heavy action scenes.
Avengers: Doomsday is expected to be packed with action scenes, but Anthony Mackie, who plays Sam Wilson / Captain America, has a hilarious response when asked about fighting Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom.
The upcoming crossover movie is shaping up to be the biggest of its kind, with the Avengers, New Avengers, Fantastic Four, X-Men, Wakandans, and Talokans joining forces to fight the villainous Doom.
However, based on Mackie’s playful remark, it seems they might not be fighting RDJ himself in Doomsday.
Did Robert Downey Jr. Do the Fight Scenes in Avengers: Doomsday?
After exiting the MCU following Tony Stark / Iron Man’s death in Avengers: Endgame, Robert Downey Jr. returns to play the role of Victor von Doom / Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday.
Opposite of his leading role in the Infinity Saga, Downey Jr. is now the main antagonist of the Multiverse Saga. As there will surely be a battle against Doom, will RDJ himself do the fighting scenes?
“Well, no, because, like, it wasn’t him; Robert don’t fight! No! Hell no!” Anthony Mackie told Entertainment Tonight.
While The Falcon and the Winter Soldier actor said that in a fun spirit, he teased the movie would be “dope.”
He also praised the fun aspect of making the movie, being reunited with his former co-stars after being apart.
“Look, you know, these movies, they’re like summer camp,” he continued. “You know, everybody comes together, and it’s like, ‘Oh, how have you been? Oh, you have a kid now. Oh, wow, you’re married now!’ It’s just one of those things where you just catch up with everybody.”
Why Robert Downey Jr. Won't Perform His Own Fight Scenes in Avengers: Doomsday?
Since playing Iron Man, Robert Downey Jr. hasn't physically performed all of his character's action stunts himself.
In fact, this allowed him to avoid many of the physical demands on set compared to other actors, as Iron Man's action sequences relied heavily on CGI.
Since his armor was largely CGI, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) used extensive digital effects to create Iron Man's suit, particularly during flight and combat sequences.
For certain scenes, Downey Jr. could simply record his lines and facial performances, which were used for close-up shots to show his face inside Tony's helmet while he interacted with his armor's AI.
A similar approach could be used for his role as Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday. Doctor Doom wears a metal mask, so Downey Jr. may only be needed for close-up shots where his face is visible through the helmet and, of course, scenes where the mask comes off.
The remaining action sequences could be handled by a stunt double, including much of the fight choreography.
That said, Anthony Mackie's joke about Downey Jr. not fighting may have some truth to it, although Marvel has yet to confirm how much of Doctor Doom's physical action Downey Jr. will perform himself.
Avengers: Doomsday premieres in theaters on December 18.