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Fantastic 4: The Mighty Josh Hartnett Rumored To Be Contending For MCU’s New Take On The Villainous Doctor Doom

Doom Looms over the MCU and he just might be Josh Hartnett... emphasis on 'might'
Doctor Doom Marvel Comics Mad Noah Hawley

Josh Hartnett has returned to rule over Hollywood, now allegedly he might rule over the MCU.

According to a report by Giant Freakin Robot, which was subsequently supported by Jeff Sneider himself, Josh Hartnett is slated to play the king of Latvaria.

As we have previously reported in Fantastic Four casting articles, Victor von Doom is not set to be the primary antagonist of the film, which makes Hartnett’s casting even more exciting. Fresh off the back of Oppenheimer, he is going to be in demand, and I’m sure Marvel won’t want to waste such a good casting opportunity. Could we already be thinking about a sequel?

Who is Josh Hartnett?

Josh Hartnett

Born on July 21, 1978, in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Josh Hartnett gained widespread recognition in the late 1990s and early 2000s for his roles in a series of popular films.

Some of his notable film roles include:

  1. Pearl Harbor (2001): In this epic war film directed by Michael Bay, Hartnett played the role of Captain Danny Walker, a fighter pilot during the attack on Pearl Harbor.
  2. Black Hawk Down (2001): He portrayed Staff Sergeant Matt Eversmann in Ridley Scott’s war film based on the true story of a U.S. military mission gone wrong in Somalia.
  3. Lucky Number Slevin (2006): Hartnett starred as Slevin Kelevra in this crime thriller alongside an ensemble cast, including Bruce Willis and Morgan Freeman.
  4. Sin City (2005): He had a role in this neo-noir crime anthology film, based on Frank Miller’s graphic novel series.
  5. 30 Days of Night (2007): Hartnett played the lead role of Eben Oleson in this horror film set in an Alaskan town during a month-long polar night, where vampires terrorize the residents.

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In addition to his film career, Josh Hartnett has also appeared in television series and theater productions. He has been known for his good looks and acting talent, which led to his popularity during the early 2000s.

Over the years, Hartnett has continued to work in various film and television projects, although he has occasionally taken breaks from Hollywood to focus on other interests. His career has included a mix of genres, from romantic dramas to action-packed blockbusters, showcasing his versatility as an actor. All of these roles could come in useful to inform his portrayal of Victor von Doom.

History of Doom

Doctor Doom

Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, Doctor Doom made his first appearance in “Fantastic Four” #5 in 1962. He is one of Marvel’s most iconic and enduring supervillains, often considered one of the greatest comic book villains of all time.

Victor von Doom was born in the fictional European country of Latveria and possesses a brilliant mind, excelling in science, invention, and sorcery. His intellectual pursuits led him to create a suit of powered armor, and he adopted the title of Doctor Doom, concealing his disfigured face within the iconic metal mask. Doom’s origin story is intertwined with his rivalry with Reed Richards, who would later become Mr. Fantastic of the Fantastic Four.

Doctor Doom’s suit of armor is a technological marvel, endowing him with superhuman strength, durability, and an array of technological and mystical abilities. This armor not only enhances his physical capabilities but also serves as a symbol of his power and authority.

Doctor Doom in the wildnerness

Furthermore, Doctor Doom’s rule extends beyond his technological prowess; he becomes the ruthless ruler of Latveria, a nation he governs through a combination of science, magic, and political manipulation. While he is often perceived as a tyrant, there is a complex relationship between Doom and his subjects, as he is both a protector and an oppressor of his homeland.

One of Doctor Doom’s defining characteristics is his status as the arch-nemesis of the Fantastic Four, a superhero team comprised of Mr. Fantastic, the Invisible Woman, the Human Torch, and the Thing. His ongoing feud with Mr. Fantastic, also known as Reed Richards, forms a central element of his character, and he is consistently portrayed as their most formidable adversary.

Doctor Doom’s intelligence is unparalleled, encompassing a wide range of scientific disciplines, from robotics and physics to genetics. Additionally, he is a master strategist and tactician, enabling him to devise intricate plans and contingencies to achieve his objectives.

RELATED: Fantastic Four: Adam Driver’s Reason For Turning Down Mr. Fantastic Role May Have Just Been Revealed

Beyond his scientific acumen, Doctor Doom wields formidable sorcery. He delves into dark magic and mysticism, augmenting his power and influence with arcane forces, further solidifying his status as a force to be reckoned with in both science and the mystical arts.

Despite his unambiguous villainy, Doctor Doom is a character known for complex motivations and a skewed sense of honor. He genuinely believes that he can bring order and prosperity to the world, even if it necessitates extreme measures.

We have intelligence, antagonism, supernatural abilities, and romance, all of which Hartnett has successfully portrayed in the past, and all of which can be drawn on moving forward.

doctor-doom-latveria

Of course, no official announcements will be made until the SAG-AFTRA strike has been resolved, but are you excited for Hartnett to play Doctor Doom? Or do you have another actor in mind? Let us know in the comments or on our social media.

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Source: GFR via Comicbookmovie.com

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Darren Lester

Darren Lester

Darren is a writer, linguist, classicist and teacher from the south west of England. When he's not producing textbooks and teaching materials for foreign languages and classics, he's boasting to his students about how he can watch anime without subtitles.