‘Avengers Doomsday’ Star’s Reveal Is a Troubling Sign for the Film

The MCU is riding a fantastic high right now. While critical reviews fall more in the “good, not great” category, Fantastic Four First Steps is a big ole hit, the likes of which Marvel has come to expect but has eluded them since Spider-Man: No Way Home. Fans are flocking to the new film and, ideally, getting hyped for the next Avengers film that I assume it sets up (I haven’t seen it yet). That would be great for a film that has a lot riding on it and looks to be a multi-dimensional mash-up of characters, old and new.

But, this is the MCU! They must have everything plotted out to the smallest detail, right? Surely, they wouldn’t go half-cocked into an endeavor like recasting one of their most popular stars as one of their most nefarious villains, right? They’re going to bring the goods. The folks in the Feige machine are going to map this out meticulously, ensuring satisfying pay-offs for the almost thirty years of storylines (I’m counting the FOX/X-Men timeline since they’re involved), right? How is my sarcasm reading?

Marvel is notorious for a kind of “shoot first, ask questions later” kind of filmmaking. That isn’t always the case, but when it is, it shows. It has also driven some filmmakers crazy, with a notable example being James Gunn, who was so scarred that he’s made a point to do things differently as head of the DCU. One of his biggest requirements is that scripts be finished and polished before a movie gets in front of cameras. Meanwhile, the MCU is just running on vibes, brother.

Rebecca Romijn will be reprising the role of Mystique, which she played in the FOX X-Men universe, in Avengers: Doomsday. She is one of several returning actors, and that’s a big deal. So, you’d think Marvel has a firm plan in place. You’d be wrong. “[I’m] not quite sure,” Romijn said at Comic Con this weekend when asked if she was done shooting the film. “The script hasn’t — they haven’t finished writing it. It’s been very, very fun, and we don’t know yet. They keep everything very close to the vest themselves in an effort to keep everything under wraps.” Kevin!!

When pressed, Romijn said, “I cannot confirm nor deny that I have read the entire script.” Sounds like the latter, Rebecca! You can’t read what isn’t finished. The MCU has pulled off miracles before, but it feels like there’s a lot at stake with this new film. Robert Downey Jr.’s turn as Doctor Doom has a fifty/fifty chance of falling flat. It will be undeniably exciting if it works, though, and I want it to. But, no matter what, it would be better with a finished script. Maybe the script is finished and they just haven’t shown the whole thing to Romijn, but I doubt it.