Vanessa Kirby on Acting Opposite Robert Downey Jr. in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’: “We Call Him Our Godfather”

Vanessa Kirby, who plays Sue Storm in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, is gearing up for her next big role in Avengers: Doomsday. The mid-credits scene in First Steps, directed by the Russo Brothers, lays the groundwork for Marvel’s upcoming story featuring Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom.

Kirby shared with Variety that filming back-to-back on both movies has been intense, especially while she’s expecting her first child. “I’m lying flat today! I can’t believe I’ve actually managed to like lie flat during the daytime. I haven’t known that for a long time,” she laughed, noting how exhausted she felt amid press tours and global appearances.

When asked about working with Robert Downey Jr. on Avengers: Doomsday, Kirby smiled and called him a guiding figure. “Robert’s never not been on set. He’s always there. He is our leader. We call him our Godfather. He’s looked after us,” she said. It’s clear that Downey Jr.’s presence brings stability and warmth to the set, even in the high-pressure environment of a Marvel crossover event.

In Fantastic Four: First Steps, she portrays Sue Storm preparing for the birth of her son Franklin Richards. That last scene with Doctor Doom sets the stage for her next challenge. While much of First Steps centered on cosmic threats and epic action, Avengers: Doomsday promises a more focused crossover with Doctor Doom emerging as the central villain.

Kirby admitted that the shift from birth scenes in First Steps to confronting a supervillain in Doomsday has been demanding. “It certainly taught me about motherhood, and my own motherhood journey. That can’t be a coincidence,” she reflected.

Working with the Russo Brothers again was a creative highlight for Kirby. She praised their collaborative style and deep creative trust built over past Marvel installments. “It’s such a joy working with the Russos and him,” she said, referring to the team dynamic that includes Downey Jr.

Fans are now looking ahead to Avengers: Doomsday, eager to see how Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom materializes after that tease in First Steps. Kirby’s warmth and admiration for her co-star suggest that both on and off camera, Doom’s presence will resonate deeply across Marvel’s expanding universe.

As for Kirby herself, filming is still underway on Doomsday and she says she’s thankful for the care and support she’s received while managing her pregnancy on set. The fusion of cosmic stakes, personal struggle, and the looming shadow of Doctor Doom promises to bring Avengers: Doomsday into new territory for the franchise.

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