Joe Russo explained why Doctor Doom is almost impossible to defeat in the new "Avengers"

Joe Russo explained what makes Doctor Doom more dangerous than the previous villains of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In Avengers: Doomsday, the franchise's top heroes unite against him, and judging by the footage shown so far, this will be the team's toughest fight yet.

Audiences have only seen the character in a few short appearances, including post-credits scenes. That's not much to go on when trying to figure out what makes the new main antagonist so formidable. In an interview with Fandango, the director laid out the villain's strengths in detail:

Doom's magic is ancient. He is a very powerful character, as you can see in the trailer, and he's a genius. He studies his foes. He understands them, and he's also well-planned. He's not somebody who just does something off the cuff. Everything is meticulous with him, and he knows that if he's going to step onto a battlefield against somebody, he has to have the tactical advantage or a power advantage against that person. So, he's very difficult to beat.

According to Russo, the threat Doom poses comes down to several factors:

• ancient magic

• genius-level intellect

• careful study of his opponents' weaknesses

• meticulous planning of every move

Robert Downey Jr., who played Tony Stark for more than a decade, will take on the role of Victor von Doom. His return to the franchise in a new part was announced in 2024, but audiences have only caught glimpses of his performance so far. The villain will wear a mask and speak with an accent.

A link between Doom and Stark still seems to be in play. The Russo brothers aren't giving away details yet, but they have hinted that the film will address the connection.

Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled for release on December 18.