Robert Downey Jr. (RDJ) is currently pulling off the ultimate cinematic pivot, moving from his decade-long run as the heroic Tony Stark in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to playing the masked villain Victor von Doom in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday. For a generation of kids who grew up with Iron Man as their North Star, seeing the same face behind the mask of the MCU’s next big "bad" is going to be confusing, exciting, and maybe a little bit traumatic.
Robert Downey Jr. is the cornerstone of modern blockbuster cinema, best known for his redemptive arc as Iron Man and his recent Oscar-winning performance in Oppenheimer. As he transitions into playing the villainous Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday, parents can use his career to talk about the difference between actors and characters, the reality of career second acts, and how the "good guy" isn't always who we think. Screenwise recommends Iron Man for ages 10+ and Sherlock Holmes for middle schoolers.
For the last 15 years, RDJ has basically been the "dad" of the MCU. When his character died in Avengers: Endgame, it was a genuine mourning period for kids (and, let’s be honest, us too). Now that Marvel has announced he’s returning not as a resurrected Tony Stark, but as the villainous Doctor Doom, the digital playground is buzzing with theories.
Kids are calling this move "peak" or "mid" depending on how much they love the lore, but the core issue for parents is the cognitive dissonance. Your seven-year-old might not understand how the guy who "loved us 3,000" is now trying to collapse the multiverse. It’s a perfect "teaching moment" about the craft of acting—how one person can inhabit totally different souls on screen.
RDJ isn't just an actor; he’s a vibe. He represents that specific brand of "smart-aleck who actually cares" that resonates deeply with middle and high schoolers.
- The Snark Factor: Characters like Tony Stark and Sherlock Holmes use humor as a shield, which is basically the primary language of every teenager on TikTok.
- The Redemption Arc: Even if they don't know his 1990s history, they feel the weight of his characters' growth. RDJ specializes in playing men who start out selfish and end up selfless.
- The Tech Connection: Iron Man made being a "genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist" the ultimate career goal. For kids interested in STEM, RDJ is the face of cool engineering.
For the Elementary Crew (Ages 8-11)
While RDJ doesn't do a ton of "kiddie" movies, there are a few entry points.
- Dolittle: Screenwise is going to be honest here—this movie is a bit of a mess. It’s colorful and has talking animals, but it lacks the RDJ spark. It’s safe for a rainy Saturday, but don't expect a masterpiece.
- Iron Man: The one that started it all. It’s rated PG-13, mostly for sci-fi violence and some "playboy" lifestyle references early on. Most 10-year-olds can handle it, and it’s the essential text for understanding why everyone is so hyped about his return to Marvel.
For the Middle School Crowd (Ages 12-14)
This is the RDJ sweet spot.
- Sherlock Holmes: This isn't your grandma's Sherlock. It’s punchy, fast-paced, and shows off RDJ’s physical comedy. It’s great for kids who like mysteries but want more action.
- The Avengers: The ultimate team-up. It’s high-stakes but maintains a sense of fun that later MCU movies sometimes lose.
- Spider-Man: Homecoming: RDJ plays a mentor figure to Tom Holland’s Peter Parker. It’s a great way to see him in a "parental" role, which helps bridge the gap to his more mature work.
For Mature Teens (Ages 16+)
- Oppenheimer: RDJ won an Oscar for playing Lewis Strauss, and he is chillingly good. This is a "serious" movie—long, dialogue-heavy, and intense. If your teen is a history buff or a film nerd, this is a must-watch.
- The Judge: A courtroom drama that deals with father-son tension. It’s a bit "grown-up" for younger kids, but for a 17-year-old looking for a solid drama, it hits hard.
You can't talk about RDJ without talking about his comeback. In the late 90s, his career was effectively over due to drug addiction and legal issues. He is the poster child for "The Second Chance."
How to talk about it: If your teen is old enough to understand the complexities of life, RDJ’s story is a powerful way to discuss substance abuse and recovery without being "after-school special" about it. He didn't just "get better"; he worked incredibly hard to rebuild his reputation and his life. That resilience is arguably more impressive than anything Iron Man did with a repulsor ray.
Ask our chatbot about talking to kids about celebrity culture
If your family is gearing up for the next wave of Marvel movies, here are a few ways to engage:
- "Why do you think the studio cast the 'hero' as the new 'villain'?" This gets them thinking about marketing, fan expectations, and the "Multiverse" concept (which is basically just a fancy way of saying "anything can happen").
- "If you were an actor, would you rather play the hero everyone loves or the villain everyone remembers?" This is a fun way to explore personality types and storytelling.
- "Do you think Tony Stark would be disappointed in Doctor Doom?" This is the deep-lore question that will get your MCU-obsessed kid talking for forty minutes straight.
Q: Is Robert Downey Jr. playing a variant of Iron Man in the new movies? The current word from Marvel is that he is playing Victor von Doom, a completely different character from Tony Stark. While there are plenty of fan theories about "multiverse variants," for now, you should explain to your kids that he’s playing a brand-new person who just happens to have the same face.
Q: What age is appropriate for Oppenheimer? Screenwise recommends Oppenheimer for ages 15 and up. It’s rated R for some brief nudity and intense themes. It’s a brilliant film, but it requires a lot of patience and an interest in historical politics that most younger kids just won't have yet.
Q: Why is everyone calling the new Avengers news "fan service"? "Fan service" is when a movie does something just to make the fans cheer, even if it doesn't make perfect sense for the story. Bringing RDJ back is the ultimate fan service because he’s the most beloved actor in the franchise. Some people think it’s a desperate move to save the box office, while others are just happy to see him back on screen.
Robert Downey Jr. is more than just a guy in a metal suit; he’s a cultural icon who has grown up alongside our kids. Whether he’s saving the world or trying to conquer it, his performances are almost always worth the ticket price. Use the "Doom" transition as a way to talk about the "mask" people wear and how even our favorite heroes (or actors) can take on new, unexpected roles.
Check out our guide to the best Marvel movies for a family marathon