It wasn’t justThe Fantastic Four: First Stepsthat got people talking about Doctor Doom over the weekend, asThe Simpsonshad Doom on the brain with a humorous SDCC panel. It has been over a year since Marvel Studios brought the house down at San Diego Comic-Con when they revealed Robert Downey Jr. would be playing Doctor Doom in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. For Comic-Con 2025,TheSimpsonsdecided to poke a little fun at Marvel by spoofing the Doctor Doom reveal at their own panel.
‘Fantastic Four’ Director Reveals Why He Did Not Want Doctor Doom as the Movie’s Villain
Matt Shakman reveals why Robert Downey Jr.’s villain is not in ‘First Steps.’
DuringThe Simpsonspanel at San Diego Comic-Con 2025, all the panelists came dressed in their own Doctor Doom costumes, parodying the many Doctor Doom actors who accompanied Robert Downey Jr. the year prior. Moderator Jesse David Fox proclaimed thatThe Simpsonswill “Never kowtow to the pressures of capitalism or the corporate overlords.” That itself seems like a cheeky joke at the criticism of Robert Downey Jr.’s casting as Doctor Doom by many was made by Disney to generate interest in the MCU after a series of disappointing box office and critical performances. See the moments below, viaScreen Rant.
Same Mask, Same Task
Robert Downey Jr.’s casting asDoctor Doom has been a source of controversy. For some, it is seen as desperate and confusing, while others have criticized Marvel Studios for whitewashing Doom’s Romani heritage. Yet it has done its job, as it has generated a great deal of interest and discussion in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and the actual unveiling moment at San Diego Comic-Con is likely to go down as one of the all-time great moments in the convention’s history, one so iconic thatThe Simpsonscan easily parody it.
Since Disney acquired 20th Century Fox in 2017,The Simpsonsis now part of the Disney umbrella, alongside Marvel Studios.The Simpsonscertainly have had fun playing with the Marvel brand, with Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige even voicing a Thanos parody character, Chinnos, in an episode parodying the MCU. In 2021,The SimpsonsreleasedThe Good, The Bad, and the Loki, an exclusive Disney+ short that crossed over the citizens of Springfield with the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
YetThe Simpsonshas always taken comedic jabs at its corporate owners, from Fox and now Disney. No one is safe from them.The Simpsonsmight seemtame compared toSouth ParkorRick and Morty, but they paved the way for those series to run. WithThe Simpsonsentering its 37th Season later this year and the Marvel Cinematic Universe going strong after an impressive opening weekend forThe Fantastic Four: First Steps, it is clear that both brands remain strong.
Source:Screen Rant (X)
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